Fayetteville-Manlius School District parents, guardians and caregivers are invited to attend an upcoming presentation led by professional speaker, comedian and best-selling author Matt Bellace, Ph.D.
On March 22, Bellace will present “Supporting Teens in Reducing Their Stress (And Ours)” at F-M High School. During the hour-long program, attendees can expect to learn more about adolescent brain development and how screen time, sleep deprivation and substance abuse can impact mental health. The program will focus on the science behind healthy coping mechanisms, such as positive social support, meditation, exercise and other natural highs, and offer tips for communicating with teens about sensitive issues.
“As a father of two, I’ve learned firsthand that shaping behavior is much easier when you support a positive choice rather than punish a negative one,” Bellace says. “My parent program uses this principle to guide parents on how to communicate more effectively around sensitive issues.”
All parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome to attend this free event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
Bellace will present one of his high school programs, “Life is Disappointing and Other Inspiring Thoughts,” during the school day for students in grades 9-12. This program combines comedy, audience interaction and psychological research focusing on building resilience in teens to teach students stress management and empower them to seek out an empathetic support network. The program also includes stories about individuals who have found inspiration through disappointment.
Bellace has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a subspecialty in clinical neuropsychology, which is the study of the brain and behavior. His speaking career has so far encompassed 48 states and across Canada. As a stand-up comedian, Bellace has performed in clubs and colleges across the United States, was a regular on truTV’s, “The World’s Dumbest,” and was recently featured in the PBS documentary “Voices of Hope.”
F-M High School is located at 8201 East Seneca Turnpike, Manlius. Please enter the school through House 1.
