SPARK to host Town Hall meeting for parents and teens
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S.P.A.R.K. to hold Town Hall Meeting
by Tina Auten, Staff Writer
The death ofbra child is every parent's worst nightmare and yet something most parents shybraway from discussing with each other and with their children. However with recent tragedies both locallybrand nationally, the thought of losing a precious child is at the forefront ofbrmost minds these days. As anxiety andbrdepression become more pronounced in today's society, parents and childrenbralike, face the daunting challenge of having candid conversations about painfulbrsubjects that are often swept under the proverbial rug.
The AmericanbrPsychiatric Association estimates that one in five young people in the U.S.brsuffer from a diagnosable, treatable mental illness. Yet nearly two-thirds of them get little orbrno help. Even more disturbing is thisbrfact: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. No other disease claims more young lives thanbrmental illness.
On Februarybr4th, Students and Parents Against Risk to our Kids (S.P.A.R.K.) willbrhost an open, honest, and much needed discussion about stress, depression, andbrsuicide with a panel facilitated by students at Carroll Senior High School beginning at 7:30 pm. Targeting students in grades 7-12, along withbrtheir parents, all are encouraged to attend this free town hall meeting. This event will also be of particularbrinterest to college students, counselors, family therapists, community leadersbrand parents of all ages.
ManybrSouthlake parents and kids have found previous S.P.A.R.K. events verybrinformative and this event is no exception. brPresented in conjunction with the Grant Halliburton Foundation, thisbrprogram will include how parents and children can talk to each other aboutbrpainful subjects, how does a parent know when a child is struggling, what yourbrchild can do if they see a friend in crisis, and much more.
Students andbrParents Against Risk to our Kids (S.P.A.R.K.) began when a group of Southlakebrresidents gathered to discuss the various risks facing the children of thebrcommunity. It quickly became apparentbrthere were many concerns and an urgent need for information on how to keepbrchildren safe. A core committee beganbrsearching for speakers who would share their expertise with the group and asbrword spread about the meetings, the group began to grow. Currently, the membership of S.P.A.R.K. isbrcomprised of a wide spectrum of citizens in Southlake and is a resource forbrgetting help for concerned parents and teens. brFrom parents and teachers to professionals and community businessbrleaders, all are welcome to attend meetings or to volunteer. For more information or to see availablebrresources, visit S.P.A.R.K.