A Positive Approach to Teen Health

04/18/2026

Parents, educators, and community members, don’t miss this important presentation on recognizing current drug trends and what may be, “High in Plain Sight!"

Register here to save your seat!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tall-cop-high-in-plain-sight-tickets-1975333168682

04/17/2026

It's Friday, which means it's time for another Parent Friday post!

Today we’re excited to share tip #3 from Mark Gregston on how to encourage your teen to open up and communicate more freely. This tip is: “Offer teens something they like.” (Gregston, 2026)

What might this this look like?

Look for simple ways to connect with your teen on their terms. When you step into their world and show interest in what they enjoy, it creates natural opportunities for conversation and connection.

Examples:
• Taking them out for their favorite treat
• Inviting them to a movie they have been wanting to see
• Watching their favorite show together
• Joining them in an activity they enjoy

The goal is not to force a deep conversation, it's simply to spend time together and strengthen your relationship. When teens feel valued and understood, they’re more likely to open up in their own time.

Stay tuned for next Friday for tip #4!

“When Your Teen Won’t Open Up,” by Mark Gregston, Parenting Today's Teens, March 9, 2026.

04/16/2026

If you haven't yet, take a moment to check out our April newsletter for our latest updates!

04/16/2026

Did you know that stress can impact how we listen, respond and interpret tone?

Stress can also create distance in our relationships, causing misunderstandings, quick reactions, or missed opportunities to connect.

Before reacting, pause and ask yourself:
“Am I responding to them… or my stress?”

And remember, awareness is the first step to healthier communication!

04/15/2026

For this weeks Wellness Wednesday, we have a little pop quiz for you!

Which of these is a common sign of stress that you might overlook?

A.) Trouble concentrating
B.) Changes in sleep
C.) Increased irritability
D.) All of the above

Answer:
Remind yourself that stress does not just show up emotionally. Stress can affect your body, focus, and relationships too. Recognizing the signs early can help you respond in healthier ways!

04/14/2026

A little reminder today... 💭

04/14/2026

Did You Know?

Snapchat and Instagram have AI chatbots built into their platforms, with no real opt-out.

Even more concerning, Meta’s internal documents revealed their AI could serve romantic and sexual content to minors to boost engagement.

That’s a serious safety issue.

Read more:

Snapchat and Instagram both have AI chatbots built in by default, with no way to fully disable them. Meta's own internal documents revealed policy decisions that allowed minors to receive romantic and sexual content from its AI systems. Meanwhile, Snapchat's premium AI features are designed to incre...

04/13/2026

Stress does not mean that you are failing, it means that you are handling a lot. For this weeks Motivation Monday, take a moment to pause, reset, and focus on one thing at a time. Progress comes from steady steps, not perfection.

04/11/2026

Excited to announce that POP has nearly reached capacity for our Freshman to MD/Law Summit on April 10th at Indiana University Northwest (IUN)! We currently have 90 diverse high school students (grades 9–12) from Northwest Indiana registered—and only 10 spots remain:
• 5 future physicians
• 5 future lawyers

Once we hit 100 students, registration will close. If you are a serious student with aspirations in medicine or law, don’t wait—secure your spot today:
https://s.visitdays.com/iun_registrar/ci/zeqnhnenhs

POP is proudly covering the cost of food, t-shirts, keychains, transportation, and program needs—all from our already limited budget. This work is critical to our mission of exposure, access, and opportunity.

If you believe in investing in the next generation, please consider supporting this initiative:
https://givebutter.com/supportPOP

Every contribution—no matter the size—makes a difference. Thank you for helping us empower future leaders.

04/11/2026

04/10/2026

April is —a time to raise awareness of alcohol misuse. Find helpful resources on prevention, treatment & recovery support that you & your community can: samhsa.gov/alcohol