Events, Trainings & Webinars

UPCOMING EVENTS, TRAININGS, & WEBINARS

AD HOC TRAININGS

QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer - Suicide Prevention Training
"Ask a question, save a life. 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide"

Medfield Outreach staff is trained to administer the QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper Training.

 QPR is an evidence-based suicide prevention training developed by the QPR Institute.
This training is intended for the general public
Training duration: 1-1.5 hours
 Best delivered in-person to groups of 20 or less
Offered free of charge, donations welcome
Have questions? Ready to schedule a training?
     Email medfieldoutreach@medfield.net or call (508) 359-7121

RECORDINGS

Screenagers: Under the Influence Panel Discussion (November 2, 2023)

Click here to view the recording.

This panel discussion took place following a community viewing of the film "Screenagers: Under the Influence".
Panelists included: Dr. Modar "Mo" Sukkarieh, of Boston Children's Hospital Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program (ASAP); Dr. Amy Turncliff, neurologist, policy expert and member of the iDECIDE Development Team; Kailtin Tiches, MLIS, of Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab; and Justin Cambria, LICSW, of New Harbor Behavioral Healthcare. The panel was Moderated by Kathy McDonald, LICSW, Director of Medfield Outreach. Footage of this panel was recorded by Medfield TV.

This presentation was brought to you by Medfield Cares About Prevention (MCAP), Medfield Outreach and the Medfield Public School. Support and footage of the panel discussion brought to you by Medfield TV.

Community Conversations: About Mental Health and Substance Use Among Medfield Students
(May 8, 2023)

Medfield Outreach, the Medfield Public Schools and the Medfield Cares About Prevention Coalition (MCAP) partnered to discuss mental health and substance use among Medfield students. This event was open to all Medfield residents and held at Memorial School. The event included: the most recent Medfield adolescent health data & trends, tips for talking with kids of all ages, risk & protective factors, ongoing local prevention efforts, discussion time and additional resources for caregivers.

Healthy or Eating Disordered? How to Know and What to Do (November 4, 2022)

Click here to view the recording.

This webinar was presented you by Monika Ostroff, Executive Director of the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
This presentation was brought to you by the Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) and Medfield Outreach.

PAST EVENTS

Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2025)

Mindful Resilience: Practical Strategies for the Whole Family with Dr. Chris Willard (April 29, 2025)

Dr. Willard is an author, psychologist, consultant and father in Cambridge MA. He has presented at two TEDx conferences and visited over thirty countries to lead workshops. He is the author of twenty books and teaches at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Willard’s expertise and passion for mindfulness and meditation have made him a leading voice in the field. Today’s children and teens, and the adults who care about them, frequently are grappling with modern-day stressors – be it social media pressures, academic challenges or personal traumas. Mindfulness and related techniques for self-regulation provide an adaptable, creative approach to cultivate calm, resilience, and presence in all of us, whether it’s in a hectic home, noisy classroom, a stressful performance or elsewhere. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can help themselves and children build resilience, regulation and mindfulness through simple, practical principles and strategies. Often small ways to support children and ourselves can make a big difference! A selection of Dr. Willard’s books was available for sale and signing courtesy of Park Street Books. 

The Social Host Law: A Community Conversation with the Medfield Police (April 3, 2025)

Medfield Outreach, the Medfield Cares About Prevention Coalition (MCAP) and the Medfield Police Department partnered to host this free, round table event aimed to increase Medfield residents' awareness of the Massachusetts social host law. Residents spoke directly with Medfield's Chief of Police, other members of the police department and Medfield Outreach Prevention Coordinators to gain a better understanding about how the social host law and other topics related to youth substance use and law enforcement.

Stephen Hill: Not My Kid (March 17, 2025)

Stephen Hill is a renowned national speaker on substance use prevention & mental health awareness with a truly inspiring comeback story that everyone must hear. Stephen’s approach helps parents recognize potential threats and warning signs to look out for. He equips parents with essential tools, practical strategies, and insights to foster resilience, support mental health, and reduce substance use risk in their children.

Parenting In the Digital Age (January 23, 2025)

A presentation with Kaitlin Tiches, a medical librarian and The Knowledge Manager from Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Lab. Ms. Tiches discussed youth technology trends and provided strategies to parents on how to address and navigate media use with their children. 

Shelf Care (October-December 2024 and January-March 2025)

Residents were invited to join a book club that met once or twice a month. Each session focused on a section of the book, featured engaging discussions, and offered practical parenting tips inspired by the author’s guidance. The first book, discussed in the fall, was "Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD" by Eli Lebowitz. It introduces a parent-based treatment approach to help children and adolescents manage anxiety. The second selection was "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt, which explores how parenting practices, smartphones, and social media may be affecting child development.

Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence (April 4, 2023 )

Webinar with New York Times best selling author Jessica Lahey where she explained age-appropriate, actionable, and evidence-based steps that parents can take to promote resilience and prevent substance use among youth. 

The Social Host Law: A Community Conversation with the Medfield Police (April 28, 2023)

Medfield Outreach, the Medfield Cares About Prevention Coalition (MCAP) and the Medfield Police Department partnered to host this free, round table event aimed to increase Medfield residents' awareness of the Massachusetts social host law. Residents spoke directly with Medfield's Chief of Police, other members of the police department and Medfield Outreach Prevention Coordinators to gain a better understanding about how the social host law and other topics related to youth substance use and law enforcement.

Virtual Parent Program: Stephen Hill (March 20, 2023)

Renowned national speaker on substance use prevention, mental health, and resilience. Stephen has a truly inspiring comeback story that everyone must hear. He is the founder of Speak Sobriety, a young person in recovery, bestselling author, recovery coach, and an attorney. He has presented in front of thousands of people for over 500 schools and coalitions across the country. Through knowledge gained from his own personal and professional experience, Stephen shows parents how to build resilient kids to make healthy choices and overcome adversity.

National Drug Take Back Day (October & April, Yearly)

National Drug Take Back Days occur on one Saturday in October and one in April every year. On these dates, the Medfield Cares About Prevention Coalition (MCAP) partners with the Medfield Police Department to remind community members that there are safe, convenient, and responsible ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs, reducing the potential for misuse. However, you do not need to wait until these two dates to dispose of your medications responsibly. There are two permanent disposal kiosks located in the lobby of the Public Safety Building year round - one for prescription drugs and the other for sharps/needle disposal. Please use them as needed.

The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana: Johnny Stack's Life & Death Story (May 10, 2022)
This virtual presentation was a call for parents to educate themselves about the risks of today's high-THC marijuana products and to better understand the potentially devastating effects on youth mental health. Please note, this program was only for ages 18+. Missed it? Learn more at johnnysambassadors.org

Community Book Read: "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman (May 25, 2022)
Medfield Outreach and the Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) invited community members to read "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman to learn how to better communicate with your loved ones. Residents were invited to join Medfield Outreach staff and MCSP members for a rich and supportive discussion.