Penn Foundation Hosts Community-Wide Suicide Prevention Program Featuring Leading Adolescent Psychologist Dr. Michael Bradley

On September 22, 2020, more than 200 attendees participated in Penn Foundation’s community-wide suicide prevention program featuring Dr. Michael Bradley, a local clinical psychologist and leading expert on adolescent behavior and parenting. Dr. Bradley spoke on the topic of Building Resilient Men and Women…One Child at a Time. 

Dr. Bradley discussed the natural struggle that teens experience to regulate their mood because their brains are not yet fully developed. This, combined with their tendency to not get enough sleep and spend too much time on screens, makes it harder for teens to cope with the world around them. Additionally, “Parents, although teens once themselves, do not understand what it is like to be a teen in today’s world,” he explained.

So, how can parents build a positive relationship with their teen and help their teen thrive? According to Dr. Bradley, build resilience. And it’s never too early to start. He provided some practical strategies to help parents connect with their teens and build this life-saving resiliency, including the 7 Cs: competence, confidence, connections, character, contribution, coping skills, and control. “Teens with this crucial quality know how to handle difficulty, overcome obstacles, and bounce back from setbacks,” said Dr. Bradley.

If you would like a copy of Dr. Bradley’s presentation materials, please contact Deb Ryan, Director of Community Outreach, at 215.453.5165 or dryan@pennfoundation.org.