Taia Condie
Community Liaison for Place-Based Partnerships & ACC AmeriCorps Member
On Monday, February 24, Mexico High School hosted the second event in its “Raising Resilient Teens” speaker series, an initiative aimed at providing parents with valuable tools to support their children’s well-being. This session featured Jamee Benavidez from Compass Health, who led an insightful discussion on drug and alcohol abuse, equipping parents with the knowledge they need to recognize, prevent, and address substance use among teens.
Benavidez walked parents through the pathways that can lead students to substance use—how they gain access, why they might start, and the dangers associated with drug and alcohol consumption. She also emphasized the importance of proactive conversations, encouraging parents to maintain ongoing discussions with their children about substance use.
“Prevention isn't just a one-time talk—it's an ongoing conversation. The more we talk with our kids about substance use, the more they'll turn to us when they have questions or face tough choices. It's about building trust, keeping the lines of communication open, and helping them make healthy decisions now and in the future.”
A Special Focus on Vaping and Marketing Tactics
In addition to discussing substance use, Benavidez highlighted a growing concern among parents and educators—vaping and targeted marketing strategies designed to appeal to teenagers. She warned parents about how companies specifically craft their products and advertisements to make vaping seem attractive to young people, leading to addiction and long-term health consequences.
Tools and Resources for Parents
To ensure that parents left the session with actionable resources, attendees received an information packet covering vaping, opioids, smoking, alcohol use, impaired driving, and addiction. Additionally, parents were given a deck of conversation starter cards designed to help them initiate discussions with their teens. By fostering open and trusting relationships, families can navigate these tough topics before they escalate into more serious issues.
Community Commitment to Parent Engagement
The “Raising Resilient Teens” series is part of Mexico High School’s ongoing efforts to engage parents and community members in conversations about adolescent mental health and substance use. According to Cortney Constable, these sessions were developed in response to a growing community desire for more resources and engagement opportunities.
“During Mexico's community conversations, guardians and community partners expressed a desire for an increase in parent engagement opportunities. This has been something the high school has been diligently working on to increase this year. The Raising Resilient Teens four-part series was designed with the intention to help provide guardians and community members with a tool kit to gain a knowledge base for some mental health and substance use concerns facing our youth.”
By offering events like this, Mexico High School hopes to empower parents and guardians with the knowledge and resources they need to keep Mexico, MO’s youth safe, happy, and supported.
Looking Ahead
The “Raising Resilient Teens” series will continue with two more sessions, each covering essential topics relevant to teen mental health and well-being. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend and take advantage of these valuable learning opportunities.
For more information on upcoming sessions, contact Mexico High School or visit their website.
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