With a variety of outreach programs prepared to launch, the Youth Commission will be taking strides to connect with the community this year.

During a Youth Commission meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, it was announced that four different seminars would be held in an upcoming parent series. The series will consist of specialized talks regarding depression and anxiety, social media, substance abuse and college anxiety.

The parent series kicks off on Monday, Feb. 1 at Dartmouth High School with "Keeping Your Child Safe," a seminar on depression and anxiety in kids. The talk will be in an informal "coffee talk" setting where youth advocate Jen Cabral, guidance counselors and school psychologists will be present to answer questions.

"The series will help parents be more comfortable with starting conversations about depression," Cabral said.

The high school has already implemented a "signs of suicide" program, which helps identify the warning signs of depression, in tenth grade health class. The program is set to be introduced to the health classes at Dartmouth Middle School as well.

Since the implementation of the "signs of suicide" into the curriculum, Cabral said that students seem to be more willing to have conversations about their mental state and more comfortable sharing this information with teachers.

"They don't have to carry this alone," Cabral added. "They realize they can reach out."

The parent seminars will continue in March and explore the dangerous side of social media.

Parents will learn about "sexting" and apps like Yik Yak, which can lead to anonymous cyber bullying, and Calculator%, which is disguised to look like a calculator app but can double as a place to hide inappropriate photos.

Cabral will be working with school resource officer Richard Pacheco to put on the seminar.

The third seminar will tackle substance abuse, a major source of anxiety for parents. The talk will address "vaping," a new trend of smoking from vaporizer pens. Vaping is seen as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. However, there are virtually no regulations surrounding it.

Additionally, parents will learn new trends in underage drinking. Instead of sneaking into liquor stores or bars, there has been a greater trend toward kids gathering at a friend's house and drinking at home, Cabral said.

Lastly, college anxiety, with guest speaker and athletic director Jeff Caron, will help parents of high school seniors deal with the stresses of applying to and preparing for college.

Cabral and the commission received an opiate grant from the Department of Health through the City of New Bedford. Programs funded by the grant are currently in the development phase with "bringing awareness," Cabral said.

In the future, the commission is looking to do an opiate and substance abuse presentation for the community in the spring. The presentation will be geared toward parents and caretakers with a child suffering from addiction and how it takes a toll on families.