Suzy DeYoung, a former staffer at the Newtown Recovery and Resiliency Center and now director of the Avielle Foundation SPARK Program, has a quote under her e-mail signature from Frederick Douglass that reads: "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken [adults].tiny.cc/OctoberBHFA. And learn more about The Avielle Foundation's work at aviellefoundation.org.

Coincidentally, that concept appears to be driving motivation for much of the foundation's work since its inception in 2013 to honor Avielle Richman, who was among the children killed on 12/14.

Her parents Dr Jeremy Richman and Jennifer Hensel started the organization with a goal to accelerate and expand research on brain-behavior connections, while utilizing social emotional learning concepts to train local youths and other community members in practices aimed at building leadership, character, and compassion.

That mission continues on Friday, October 28, when the foundation hosts a daylong training session of Youth Brain Health First Aid.

According to Ms DeYoung, most parents know what to do if their child begins choking. But how many know what steps to take should a child in their presence suffer a panic attack, clinical depression, or an eating disorder?

Youth Brain Health First Aid Training is an eight-hour course that teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of brain illnesses and substance use disorders in adolescents.

Since a certain amount of adversity is expected during adolescent years, it may be difficult to recognize when this point has been reached; the difference between "normal" and "problem" behaviors. Those who complete the training say it takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations with young people about brain health and substance use, Ms DeYoung said.

During adolescence teens are subject to a profound number of challenges and changes, making them vulnerable to deep social and emotional distress. This is normal and expected, but at some point these can become great enough that they may interrupt one's ability to lead a healthy life.

With an improved understanding and an action plan for safely and responsibly identifying and addressing potential brain health problems, adults and parents will be better equipped to aid loved ones, according to Avielle Foundation literature. While many parents keep first aid manuals at home and millions take first aid courses in case of drowning, falls, cuts, scrapes, and other common injuries, many ignore basic care when it comes to the brain.

Youth Brain Health First Aid training helps enhance understanding and provides an action plan that teaches participants how to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential brain illness or substance use disorders in children. It is a certification program much like CPR and is valid for three years.

"It offers the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to your - or any - child who may be developing a brain health problem, is experiencing a crisis, or is a threat to threat to themselves or others," stated Dr Richman, who along with Resiliency Center clinicians, will teach the course.

The training is sponsored by The Avielle Foundation and The Resiliency Center of Newtown. The October 28 session is from 8 am to 5 pm at The Avielle Foundation headquarters in the Newtown Parent Connection duplex at 2 Washington Square, Fairfield Hills Campus.

Training is free of charge, but interested participants must register at

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