AZYEP airs teen mental health forum on May 4

By James Steindler

Contributing Editor

May is mental health month, and the kids are talking about it. One evening in April, a modge-podge of people with connections to teens, including teens themselves, participated in a mental health forum. As a reporter and lay person, I had the opportunity to participate, and want to share a couple of highlights that I took away from the experience.

Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) interns and staff partnered with the Aspen Hope Center to organize the forum. About two dozen people were present, sitting around a square set of tables, everyone facing each other.

The conversation will be aired in its entirety on KDNK Community Access Radio on Thursday, May 4 at 7pm.

High school students, teachers, counselors, parents and mentors were present, filling every seat. A microphone was shared between four or five people on each side of the square, and acted as a sort of talking stick.

Two hours flew by, the first 30 minutes being dominated by the youth, who were all eager to discuss the topic. A respectful exchange of ideas and potential solutions from the varying perspectives ensued.

“This was brought together by the students and for the students,” said Jason Hodges, vice president of AZYEP, “and we’re all here sitting in this room tonight. I think that’s really amazing. You’re not waiting for the adults in your lives to make a difference, you’re taking an active role.”

Hodges’ praise was mimicked throughout the evening, this journalist often being at a loss of words, and more than once stating to the youth, “You’re freaking amazing.”

After introductions, the first question posed to the group regarded the conditions of the mental health space among teens today. Notably, a few speakers delved right into mental health being grounded in one’s earlychildhood development.

“I believe a lot of mental health issues begin at a very young age, but since kids are pretty young in elementary school it’s not really talked about,” began Jocelyn Juanlucas, a student at Bridges High School. “I felt like that when I was younger. My father was at risk of being deported and I don’t remember being asked once how I felt about that.” She continued, “A lot of people think that kids don’t notice or that they’re not affected, but they pick up on things very quickly.”

Having taught primary school for 15 years, Amanda Petersen echoed Juanlucas. “When I was teaching firstgraders, I began to see that teaching social-emotional wellbeing and giving young kids tools to support themselves — to give them language around feelings and tools to help them regulate — was becoming non-negotiable,” she stated.

As a child grows into their teenage years, they experience more independence and the world opens up to them in many positive ways. However, larger problems inevitably present themselves. Not having learned the tools that Petersen pointed out can make navigating those later obstacles much more difficult.

What role should schools play?

Zenobia Todd, an AZYEP intern, posed the next question about what role schools currently play in mental health, and was genuinely interested in what parameters people thought might be appropriate.

Jamie Andel, a Bridges student, said that finding a teacher he’s comfortable with to express himself has worked for him. At the same time, students showed understanding that teachers already have maxed schedules and modest compensation. This led to the notion that there’s a systemic problem.

“As much as it’s something that I wish wasn’t part of this discussion, I think that teacher wages have to be thought about,” said Blake Petersen, an AZYEP intern. “I think it’s unfair, in our current system, to expect that they should know how to deal with a kid who is struggling,” noting that teachers don’t typically have the training and resources to do so.

“I appreciate that immensely,” replied Garrett Peters, a social studies teacher at Glenwood Springs Highs School. “I think that we do need to bear in mind that teachers do care about young people,” he added.

“The more hats that are put on teachers without the monetary aspect, or the training, the more challenging this becomes,” he continued. “And honestly, the more and more quality educators we’re going to see fleeing the profession; which is a threat to young people as well.”

Parent-teen communication

The third question addressed communication between parents and their kids. Again, it was emphasized that developing open communication at a young age is important. Then, in their teen years, maintaining that despite the subject matter becoming less comfortable and often more dire.

AZYEP intern Parker Wilson empathetically noted that parents need to let their children know if they are struggling too, because “everyone has this shared experience.”

“Our parents and teachers are superheroes but who is there to save the hero?” Andel asked. He wondered if schools could offer mental health resources to parents and teachers. “They provide free lunches, they should be providing that too, because we’re a community, not separate.”

The students were encouraged by the adults to keep having this conversation and remember that they can affect change. A number also stated that school administrators should be invited to the next forum.

This reporter implores everyone to listen to the KDNK broadcast on May 4. There was an incredible amount covered by these youth and their mentors, and this write-up only scratches the surface. Please tune in.

“I’m proud of everyone who spoke today, because it’s very brave to talk about mental health … the whole reason we are here,” stated Wilson.

To Bentley and tears on the street

by Jeanne Souldern

I was walking a friend's dog

Down Main Street

When I heard a young woman crying. She was sitting behind a juniper tree.

"Rough day on Planet Earth?" I asked.

"Yeah," she sobbed.

I reassured her that "I've been there myself. Trying to hide my tears on the street."

You're not alone. None of us are alone. We're all in this together. Even though we build walls between us. And then need a suit of armor to go about our daily lives.

"This is Bentley." I say, pointing to the dog.

"He's big and very sweet. He smells everything, And pees on everything he smells."

She reaches forward to pet Bentley's ears. She's stopped crying now.

Bentley has offered his "it's-gonna-be-okay" magic Because that's what big, sweet dogs do.

Comparte tus proyectos creativos aún en proceso con nuestros lectores. Puedes enviarnos un correo electrónico con tus ilustraciones, creaciones literarias y poesía a fiction@soprissun.com

Best Intentions

By Deborah Holt Williams

“This dog is too coddled! And now we’ve remodeled, there’ll be no more dogs on the bed!” he said.

“This is OUR bedroom and I need my legroom. I don’t need her butt on my head!” he said.

“Alright,” I said. “Good night,” I said. “We both need a good night’s rest.”

Then I see what appears to be long floppy ears and the dog sound asleep… on his chest.

LETTERS farmer’s market. I want my children to know what a town/community actually means.

The expansion of Little Blue Preschool would add essential child care spaces in a community and valley that is growing faster than our infrastructure can handle. We are in desperate need of additional child care. There is a long waitlist to get into any day care center in the Valley, and when you do get a spot, it is often not for enough days or the days you need. Families are often left piecing together inconsistent child care for their kids until they are two or three years old, which is both logistically difficult and developmentally challenging. If we expect to grow our community in terms of businesses and workers, we need child care for our children’.

To the Town of Carbondale — as a lifetime local and parent of two, I urgently ask you to approve the expansion of Little Blue Preschool.

Vicky Bogner, Glenwood Springs Editor’s note: Carbondale’s Planning & Zoning Commission scheduled a public hearing for Little Blue Preschool’s expansion at 7pm on Thursday, April 27, at Town Hall and on Zoom.

Live poetry lives!

Beware the Poets. Come join in the revival of the Aspen Poets’ Society on Saturday, May 6, from 4:30 to 6pm at Explore Booksellers, featuring musical artist Dylan Starrs, an open mic for poets and storytellers of all ages, plus guest poet Tori Miner. Those who sign up for the open mic will be given five minutes to share their words. The event is free and the public is invited.

The Aspen Poets’ Society plans to schedule a few Live Poetry Nights yearly, once again providing the Roaring Fork Valley community, and beyond, an intimate stage for the spoken word.

Live Poetry Night began at Zélé Café in 2006 and moved to the Hotel Lenado, then Victoria’s Espresso and Wine Bar, and lastly the Mountain Chalet where the most recent gathering continued from was held in October 2018. Restrictions of the pandemic delayed revitalizing the group for over four years.

The Board of the Aspen Poets’ Society, Ink

Lisa Max Zimet and Kim Nuzzo, cofounders

Marjorie DeLuca, vice president

Stop-light racing

If we adopt this driving strategy, we’ll get lots of practice. Between Glenwood Springs and Aspen there are over 39 traffic lights. Who knew?

Experience teaches us that these lights are not timed to “greenlight” motorists who speed.

Stop-light racers will reduce their fuel efficiency, burn up more cash, impact the life of their brakes and then be laughed at by other motorists at the next red light.

Next time out, consider driving with the “flow.” The benefits might be astounding for everyone.

Diane Reynolds

Take A Minute/Slow Down in Town RFK

Jr. 2024

Is America HungerGamesX? Ask yourself who the real enemy is? Whistle blower Jake Teixeira, who told the truth about government troops being on the ground in Ukraine unconstitutionally? Or the military industrial complex’s puppet, Joe Biden, and Washington D.C.’s secret government behind closed doors? “Trust us,” the elites say. Nope. Vote Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. 2024.

Lee Mulcahy

Basalt and Arlington

Letters policy: The Sopris Sun welcomes local letters to the editor. Shorter letters stand a better chance of being printed. Letters exclusive to The Sopris Sun (not appearing in other papers) are particularly welcome. Please include your name and place of residence or association. Letters are due to news@soprissun.com by noon on the Monday before we go to print.

Carbondale Historic Homes continued from page 6 cedar post, purchased from your local and friendly Roaring Fork Valley COOP, to place the sign upon.

About 50 homes considered historic structures of merit are accounted for in a three-part survey, but Williams and Doud echoed one another’s assurance that there are a ton more. If someone’s home is already among the homes that have been surveyed, the Town will pay for half of the cost of the sign. That being said, anyone who believes their home might qualify as historic may be eligible, but expected to fit the bill for the sign, which, again, is $45.

To find out if your home is eligible, contact the Town’s CHPC liaison, Kae McDonald, by emailing kmcdonald@ carbondaleco.net or calling 970-5101248.

Believe it or not, May is considered Archeology and Historic Preservation Month in Colorado.

Tune into KDNK for Everything

Under The Sun on Thursday, April 27 at 4pm for a live interview with Williams and Doud.

Laughing Tiger continued from page 16 are rich stories, and I think everybody can learn from them.”

Rosenberg said the film adaptation of “The Procedure” is something that she is enjoying the process of putting together. Because she, Page and Plotkin were all friends before the fruition of Laughing Tiger Films, working together is a win-win situation.

“We may not stick 100% to the book, but we are honoring her wonderful story and the intent,” said Rosenberg. “She is wonderful to work with in that regard. It's always nice to work with writers who are more amenable to the bigger picture.”

The process of bringing “The Procedure” and other works to life is in progress. Since Laughing Tiger Films is still in its infancy, they do not currently have an active website or social media account.

For more information, email AGoyanes@ParkinsonRockies.org or call (303) 830-1839 www.ParkinsonRockies.org

Be sure to also check out our FREE exercise classes in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. To view a complete list of exercise classes, please visit our website.

Recently, a group from the Roaring Fork High School Model United Nations Club had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. for a conference at George Washington University. The group also had the chance to check out some sights. Here (left to right) Gus Richardson, Amalia Sparhawk, Ana Sophia Brown, Kayla Kaufman and Esmeralda Alverde Duarte, pose for a photo in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Courtesy Photo Editor’s note: Richardson and Kaufman are youth correspondents for The Sopris Sun, and The Sun is oh so proud of them and their peers!

Correction:

Last week’s article, “Navigating the party amid fentanyl boom,” incorrectly stated there were over 200 drug overdose deaths in Colorado last year, when, in fact, there were more than 2,000.