Interactive Story Session: Youth Substance Use & Trauma Informed Conversations

Formerly titled Substance Use Simulation – no change to course content

Engage in an interactive story session focused on youth substance use and trauma-informed conversations. Delve into the narrative of Blake, a young person who experiences an overdose while experimenting with substances. Following his transfer to the hospital, Blake's journey unfolds around themes of consent and confidentiality, social support, and concurrent disorders in youth.

Throughout the session, experience pivotal moments including clinical interactions with a social worker about care planning, conversations between Blake and his father, and exclusive interviews with the actors portraying them. Participants will also have an opportunity to practice Motivational Interviewing skills using OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries) through an interactive practice activity.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Explore the spectrum of substance use and reasons why youth use substances
• Use a harm reduction-based approach while collaborating with patients and families to meet people where they are on their substance use journey.
• Demonstrate effective communication and consent while providing patient and family-centered care for youth who use substances.
• Identify youth specific resources for supporting someone who is using substances

Format & Delivery:
Interactive video-based session with pause periods for reflective discussions, a skills building practice activity, and valuable insights from peer educators with lived/living experience. Facilitated by a Nurse Educator and Peer Educator.

Takeaways:

• Understand the impact of family dynamics on a young person’s substance use journey.
• Strategies for patient- and family-centered care planning.
• Practice Motivational Interviewing skills using OARS.
• Enhanced empathy and understanding when engaging with youth who use substances.