Youth in rural communities face unique challenges related to mental health, substance use, stigma, and access to services, while also demonstrating remarkable resilience and strong community connections. This session will provide practical, relationship-based strategies for engaging rural adolescents and supporting their well-being through strengths-based and collaborative approaches.
Learning objectives:
- Identify the unique strengths and challenges that influence the well-being of youth in rural communities.
- Explore effective strategies for building trust and engaging rural adolescents.
- Apply practical approaches to supporting mental health, substance use prevention, and community collaboration when working with rural youth
Bio:
Karla Christensen is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and Master’s of Social Work (MSW) student at Grand Canyon University. She works with adolescents and families, specializing in substance use, mental health, trauma, and grief. Drawing from both her professional experience and personal journey of recovery and loss, Karla is passionate about helping individuals find hope, healing, and resilience. She is also an advocate for suicide prevention and postvention, rural mental health, and empowering others to transform pain into purpose.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 1 Lesson
- Lifetime
