(Chelsea Update would like to thank Jane Pacheco for the information in this story.)
The Natural Helpers intensive training workshop will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30 in Chelsea. The workshop will provide a comfortable, supportive, confidential, and fun setting for teens from Washtenaw County and beyond, to discuss mental health issues such as self-care, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, self-harm, and risky behaviors.
The trained and certified facilitators will instruct students in understanding and observing warning signs and risk factors and how to take direct action to keep their peers out of harm’s way. Students will also learn how to care for themselves while building/adding to a toolbox of resiliency skills. Values of tolerance, inclusion, and empathy are strengthened as these natural helpers support their peers in their school communities.
All students can benefit from this free teen focused and teen centric, informal workshop. They can bring their friends and family (teens 13-18 years). They can even wear their pajamas if they’d like. AND there will be plenty of food, lounging, prizes (many giveaways including a Microsoft Surface Pro), and fun, too.
The Washtenaw County 4HTechChangemaker group (a county wide 4-H group with a student base in Chelsea) is hosting this teen workshop in conjunction with their ongoing work to destigmatize mental health issues.
We are also on the verge of launching a digital storytelling campaign with multiple community partners, culminating in a multi-media exhibit this Spring. If you are interested in participating, donating, volunteering, or helping spread the word – please reach out to Jane Pacheco or the students involved in the group.
Registration Link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/naturalhelpers/
You do not need to be a 4-H member to attend this training. RSVP required.
Facebook Event for more info (and to share/promote): http://bit.do/naturalhelperstraining
Special thanks to the following businesses and organizations for supporting our events: Washtenaw County 4H, Microsoft, UM Depression Center, Meijer, Chelsea District Library, Chelsea First United Methodist Church, Breathe Yoga, Big Boy, Valiant, Stone House Bakery, Bulldog Nutrition, Mike’s Deli, Chelsea Farmer’s Market, Brahma House, Serendipity Books, Zou Zou’s. Chelsea Coney Island, Jet’s Pizza, Chelsea Alehouse Brewery, Smokehouse BBQ 52, Artic Breakaway, Speedway, Common Grill, Mike’s Deli, Chelsea Farmer’s Market, Brahma House, Zou Zou’s, Serendipity Books, and Chelsea Coney Island.
