Mental Health Fair & Screenagers Event

We are excited to announce an important upcoming Mental Health Fair and Screenagers Event held at Dorothy Hamm Middle School for all Arlington County Public Schools middle and high school students and parents. This event is an incredible opportunity for our community to come together and explore vital topics surrounding mental health and the impact of technology on youth.

Important Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
• Location: DHMS
• Who is Invited: All middle and high school students and their parents.
• Special Note: All students must be accompanied by a parent. This is a no-exception policy for attendance.

The Mental Health Fair will showcase local resources, services, and strategies designed to support mental well-being. This event is an invaluable opportunity for both students and parents to come together and learn about mental health in a supportive environment. It is our hope that families will leave with a better understanding of how mental health and technology are interconnected and how to foster healthy habits in today’s digital age. In addition to the fair, there will be five engaging 30-minute breakout sessions to help you better understand and manage mental health, technology, and substance use. Here are the topics for the breakout sessions:

1. Safety Planning and Coping Mechanisms – Learn strategies to help students manage stress and emotions while creating personal safety plans for difficult situations.
2. Conversation Starters and Coping Mechanisms – Understand how to approach difficult conversations with your child about mental health and substance use, while equipping them with healthy coping mechanisms.
3. Police Liaison – Hear from local law enforcement about the current trends related to substance use in the county, and learn how the community is responding to these challenges.
4. Narcan Training – A critical session for understanding how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses, including how to administer Narcan to potentially save a life.
5. Panel Discussion – Listen to first-hand experiences from individuals who have lived with mental health and substance abuse challenges. This session provides a platform for sharing stories and offering insights into recovery and coping.

Additionally, the event will feature a screening of the documentary Screenagers: Under the Influence. This thought-provoking film explores the effects of screen time and digital media on young people’s mental health and decision-making. It will address important concerns about the role of technology in our children’s lives and offer helpful strategies to navigate the digital world with mindfulness and balance.We encourage you to attend and take advantage of this informative and engaging event. If you have any questions or need further details about the event, you view the DHMS website or simply reach out to either myself, Gabrielle Bomberg, Quamika Wright, or Danielle Hatcher. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to promote mental wellness and healthy lifestyles in our community.