Check our calendar for upcoming programs about “The Search for Identity.”
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?
To answers questions like these, a panel of behavioral health professionals and individuals in recovery will join us to explore the risks, discuss the warning signs, and provide families and educators with the tools needed to empower young people and foster a healthy identity.
Below you will find information about our past presenters, along with supportive information and resources related to the topic.

Thank you!
On Thursday, February 24, 2022, Upper Dublin School District hosted a Zoom webinar to address The Search for Identity. Supportive information can be found below.
This program was funded by the Upper Dublin Education Foundation
Resources for “The Search for Identity” & from past program hosts:
The Trevor Project – You deserve a welcoming, loving world. And so do the people you care about. Here you can reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get the tools you need to help someone else.
>> https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens
Cyberbullying and LGBTQ Youth: A Systematic Literature Review and Recommendations for Prevention and Intervention
>> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163911/
1 in 6 Gen Z adults are LGBT. And this number could continue to grow.
>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/02/24/gen-z-lgbt/
A teen health survey crucial to US public policy is finally asking kids about their sexual orientation
>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/02/24/gen-z-lgbt/
Big Rise in U.S. Teens Identifying As Gay, Bisexual
Gender: Beyond the Binary – Bigeye National Study 2021
>> https://lp.bigeyeagency.com/hubfs/Gender_BeyondtheBinary.pdf
How Common is Drug Abuse Among Athletes and Do They Seek Treatment?
>> https://rehabs.com/addiction/among-athletes/
Research Report: Steroids and Other Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs) Research Report
Student-athlete substance use during COVID-19: Suppressed, silent, or poised to surge?
>> https://covid19.ssri.psu.edu/articles/student-athlete-substance-use-during-covid-19
Concussions Spike Odds of Teens’ Drug Abuse
>> https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/concussions-spike-odds-of-teens-drug-abuse
Perfectionism And Addiction: Dual Diagnosis
>> https://www.addictionresource.net/dual-diagnosis/perfectionism/
Perfectionism, substance use, and mental health in college students: A longitudinal analysis
Reading: The Blessing of a B Minus: Raising Resilient Teenagers by Wendy Mogel, PhD
The Tenuous Relationship Between Instagram and Teen Self-Identity
Study: The negative effects of social media on the social identity of adolescents from the perspective of social work
>> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021004321#sec3
Vloggers, Fitness Models, and Influencers: Careers and Teens in the 21st Century
>> https://helpyourteennow.com/is-being-a-social-media-influencer-a-realistic-career-for-teens/
The state of influencer marketing in the Generation Z demographic
TikTok may be spreading Tourettes-like tics among Gen Z, says new report
>> https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/dyvqxm/tiktok-tourettes-tics-gen-z
Student Services & Special Education
>> https://www.gvsd.org/Domain/20
Safe2Say Something
>> https://www.gvsd.org/Page/16870
YouthTruth Data
>> https://www.gvsd.org/Page/17158
Diversity & Inclusion
>> https://www.gvsd.org/Domain/1210
Great Valley School District’s Policy addressing Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students (Section 103.3)
>> https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/gvsd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BGA44F09BAF8
Meet Our Panelists
Thank you!
On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown & Downingtown Area School District hosted a Zoom webinar to address The Search for Identity. Supportive information can be found below.
This program was funded by the Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services
Resources from the February 22, 2022 Downingtown program:
CTC of Greater Downingtown
Recent Parent to Parent podcast episode: “Supporting Transgender Youth: A Journey to Our Truest Selves”
>> https://www.dtownctc.org/parent-to-parent-podcast/2022/02/14/supporting-transgender-youth
HYPE Club (Healthy Youth Positive Energy Club)
Pupil Services
>> https://www.dasd.org/Page/57
District Mental Health & Wellness Resources
>> https://www.dasd.org/Page/8527
Parent Speaker Series
>> https://www.dasd.org/parentspeaker
A Path to Hope
Main page: >> https://apathtohope.org/
March 19, 2022 Resource Fair: >> https://apathtohope.org/resource-fair/
Kayte Roberts Psychotherapy
>> https://www.kayterobertspsychotherapy.com/
Elevate Wellness Recovery
>> https://www.elevatewellnessandrecovery.com
PFLAG
>> https://pflag.org/chapter/pflag-philadelphia
Mazzoni Center
>> https://www.mazzonicenter.org
William Way LGBT Community Center
Meet the Panelists
Below are the panelists who have share their expertise and experience at “The Search for Identity” programs. Their contact information may be found by clicking on the “Learn More…” buttons.
Be a Part of the Conversation programs do not provide behavioral health advice and are for informational purposes only. Our programs are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding substance use disorders or related family needs. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any Be a Part of the Conversation program or video.

Haydn Briggs, MSS, LSW, CET II
Private Practice Clinician | Therapist at Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy

Alandra J. Russ, M.S, NCC