HALB And OHEL Present ‘Road MAPP To Success’

As part of HALB’s ongoing initiative to promote mental health wellness and thriving throughout the school community, Middle School parents came together to watch LIKE, a documentary exploring the impact of technology and social media on our mental health and wellbeing. The event was a collaboration with HALB’s SEPTA committee and OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services, as part of HALB’s partnership with OHEL on “Road MAPP to Success,” a Middle School Anxiety Prevention Program.

The film was followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr. Karen Fleiss, Clinical Director of NYU Child Study Center Long Island, Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Zachter Family Chair in Trauma and Crisis Counseling at OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services, Dr. Benjie Stern, Director of Pediatric Adolescent Professional Psychology and HALB Middle School Psychologist, as well as an adolescent perspective from Eitan Guttenmacher of DRS.

Middle School students watched the film the following day during advisory, followed by break-out discussion sessions with their advisors and student ambassadors from SKA, with an emphasis on empowering students to create greater balance in their lives. The theme throughout the interactive program for students and parents was to inspire and help equip us to self-regulate our social media and technology use, exploring how we can harness the power of technology and social media as a platform for enhanced connection, increased empathy, and growing a caring school community. HALB is grateful to the Middle School Guidance Department for coordinating the event.