The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

 Are you searching for teen help? No doubt, many parents are experiencing new challenges with their anxious teenagers during these uncertain times. In a recent survey by  Common Sense Media , the spread of the coronavirus has upended school for teens, with  95%  of 13- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. reporting the cancellation of  in-person  classes at their schools at least temporarily. Teens are worried - the average youth is facing stress , anxiety and some are feeling loneliness (according to the survey). For those that were already experiencing risky behaviors, this can be more troubling. Quarantine life could be a time of relaxation for some, but for some parents of teens, it's anything but relaxing. Whether your teen is stressed out from not being able to mingle with their friends, or spending way too much time online (especially since they had to finish school virtually) -- maybe your teen is feeling isolated or lonely, are they sinking into a depre...

Isn't it time we take action in our community?  Across the country parents and school nurses are joining forces to help bring awareness to over-the-counter (OTC) medicine abuse and our teens. Your school nurse is your ally and partner in preventing cough medicine abuse in your teens’ lives but so are your friends and community. Do you share information with your family and friends online? Are you active in your teens’ school, their team sports, or your religious community?   If not, start today! Working on the frontline with teens, school nurses know the range of issues parents deal with concerning the health and welfare of teens. Whether you're looking to educate yourself about preventing teen cough medicine abuse or searching for advice on how to talk to your teen about the risks, the articles below, written by school nurses around the country, will help you get informed and start talking. Home to Homeroom Digest: Article 1: "Not My Kid" Isn'...

There are many adjectives to describe parents when they are looking for outside help for their struggling teenager. Is your teen reaching a level that he/she are out-of-control?  Going down a negative path with only a few years left of high school?  Do you fear for their future if they continue down this road? Okay, I love the phrase, " typical teenage behavior ", which much of it can be.  However what happens when this " typical " behavior lands them in juvie?  Or in the hospital with an overdose? Most have tried therapists.  Most have even tried out-patient programs.  Some have tried sending their teen to a relatives to live.  What happens when these ideas fail? For many, it is time for residential therapy.  Now you really need to be engaged, do your homework and be extremely cautious.  The world of teen-help is a major business and they are waiting for parents that are at their "wit's end"   to call! There are many good prog...