Springbrook High School hosts Family Forum on Mental Health & Substance Use Prevention

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Springbrook High School’s PTSA hosted a Family Forum on mental health and substance abuse prevention with Montgomery Goes Purple, a community organization promoting recovery from substance abuse disorders. 

The event featured several information sessions, a resource fair, and Narcan training and distribution. It kicked off with a welcome from Springbrook’s principal and PSTA president, followed by greetings from several advocates, including Laura Mitchell, co-founder of Montgomery Goes Purple. 

Information sessions for both students and parents took place throughout Springbrook’s classrooms, accessible in both English and Spanish. Community organizers discussed strategies to talk to kids and peers about fentanyl and other substance use, treatment options, and assistance during mental health crises. 

At the resource fair in the cafeteria, students and parents learned about different county programs and community organizations. The State’s Attorney’s Office distributed information about domestic violence programs as well as resources for those struggling with addiction. In addition, Do It For You MC offered free HIV and STI testing services.  

Know The Risks MC hosted Narcan training and distribution in Springbook’s auditorium, where attendees learned to recognize the signs of an overdose and the proper way to administer life-saving naloxone. After completing the training, attendees received kits with fentanyl test strips and two Narcan doses. 

Churchill sophomore Vicky Kaprielian and Covenant Life junior Maggie Holtry assisted in presenting the training. They emphasized that the problem of opioid use in schools has become increasingly widespread and that it is important for students to stay educated and get involved. “At my old school, I’ve had close contact with people who have had serious problems with opioids, and this is my way of making sure this doesn’t happen in the future; if it does happen, people will know what to do and how to save lives,” Holtry said.

Through education, they hope that people will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the complicated factors that can lead to substance abuse disorders and that this understanding will benefit those affected. “In regards to the community, I just want there to be an overall increased societal understanding of opioid abuse, substance use, and the resources that are there and are being provided to people to be able to prevent it,” Kaprielian said.