Cyber bullying topic of free seminar
The first in a new series of free community programs for parents offered jointly by Lake County Family YMCA and Rosalind Franklin University Health System (RFUHS) focuses on the serious problems of bullying and, specifically, cyberbullying facing today’s kids.
Dr. David J. Ventrelle, a licensed clinical psychologist, will address the problem that’s taken on new significance in this age of social media during one-hour seminars in February at both Lake County Family YMCA locations.
The dates are Thursday, Feb. 9, at Central Lake YMCA, 700 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, and Thursday, Feb. 16, at Northern Lake YMCA, 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan. Both programs are from 7 to 8 p.m.
Parents attending the program “From the Playground to the Internet: Helping Your Kids with Bullying & Cyber Bullying” will learn what to do if they have a child who’s being bullied — or, perhaps, is a bully — as well as how to keep children safe on the Internet.
“Bullying has been an issue for as long as children have attended school; however, with more kids using the Internet for social connection, bullying has evolved into cyberspace,” Ventrelle said.
“Even when parents know it’s happening, they may not know how to help their child deal with it. Addressing bullying in an assertive and proactive way can be essential to a child’s emotional well being.”
Ventrelle has been providing individual and family counseling for children, adolescents and adults for nearly 10 years in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. He practices in Vernon Hills at the Behavioral Health Center, a part of Rosalind Franklin University Health System.
While these informative programs are free, registration is required. Call or stop at either Lake County Family YMCA branch, (847) 367-6797 (Central), or (847) 360-9622 (Northern).
Future programs in this special series for parents will be at the Central Lake Y in Vernon Hills. “Managing the Meltdown: Outburst, Tantrums, and Everything in Between” is the topic Thursday, March 8, and “Practical Strategies for Managing Your Child’s ADHD” will be discussed Thursday, April 12. Both sessions are 7 to 8 p.m.