Summit to focus on child mental health

September 5, 2018

Port St. Lucie -

Guardians for New Futures will host its annual two-day Treasure Coast Child Summit Sept. 26-27 at Indian River State College's Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, in Fort Pierce.

The grassroots organization hosts the conference every year, bringing to the community educators to speak on topical issues facing local youth and the child-welfare community.

The theme for this year's summit - inspired by the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School earlier this year - is "Youth Mental Health - See It, Say It; Our Responsibility."

Topics include the impact of parental substance abuse on children at various developmental stages; understanding and responding to bullying; self-harming behaviors; and serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students.

Additional topics will focus on missed opportunities, such as deconstructing the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting; interventions for children exposed to trauma, abuse and neglect; and adolescent substance abuse and behaviors.

As in past years, one of the day’s highlights will be a panel discussion featuring sheriff’s representatives from Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties.

The summit is free, but registration is required. For more information, visit gfnf4kids.org.