With Halloween around the corner, monsters are a source of scary fun. But what about the monsters in our own heads? Many of the youth and young adults we work with struggle with anxiety disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and live with these monsters every day. We all experience anxiety, but when these feelings of stress and panic are untreated and persist over time, they often develop into terrifying symptoms that can interfere with relationships, school, work, and all types of basic functioning. This training aims to help providers understand how anxiety disorders and OCD develop, current trends with youth, signs and symptoms, and best practices for treatment. We will also focus on how anxiety disorders can intersect with substance use and trauma, and what we can do to help young people engage in holistic recovery from co-occurring disorders. In addition, this training will focus on evidence-based best practices parents and caregivers can use to support their children to become more resilient and confident in the face of anxiety and OCD. Resources to support youth and young adults struggling with and OCD, and their families, will be provided.
At the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand various types of anxiety disorders and OCD, and the prevalence of these mental health challenges among young people today.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of anxiety and OCD, and how to make a referral for screening and assessment.
- Identify at least three evidence-based best practices for treating anxiety and OCD, and the most effective psychiatric medications prescribed to help treat these conditions.
- Identify evidence-based best practices parents and caregivers can use to help their loved ones address anxiety and OCD and reduce family accommodations.
- Understand what resources are available for youth and young adults struggling with anxiety and OCD, as well as for families.
Trainer
Jordana Willers, Ed.M.Youth & Young Adult Training Coordinator