💻 This is an online-only program.
Many young people are searching for their identity, feeling pressured by a label, or just trying to belong. How does this journey put some young people at risk for substance use or other behavioral disorders? How can family members best support youth by nurturing their identity? We’ll explore risks and warning signs, and provide families and educators with the tools needed to empower young people with a healthy sense of self.
Guest Presenter:Â Hope McMahan, MSS
Guest Presenter:Â Hope McMahan, MSSHope McMahan recently graduated from the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College. They are currently serving as the Senior Prevention Specialist, where they continue to apply their expertise in the development, implementation, and assessment of non-morally based substance use prevention models tailored for young adults, particularly those within the developmental stage of the adolescent brain.
Having delved into past substance use models stemming from the Drug-Free Schools Act of 1989, as well as the moralization of drug use spanning over the last five decades, including campaigns like “Just Say No” and D.A.R.E., Hope is dedicated to critically examining and redefining conventional approaches to substance use prevention.
The core objective of Hope’s research was to formulate effective evaluation methods for substance use prevention models that offer flexibility to address the specific risk and protective factors unique to individual schools. They strived to provide up-to-date, evidence-backed research on substance use trends among young adults, ensuring the interventions remained relevant and impactful.
Beyond academic pursuits, Hope’s commitment to this research extends into their personal life, as they are someone in long-term healthy recovery. This personal experience not only fueled their passion for the subject but also added a valuable perspective to their academic and professional endeavors.