Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer September 2025: Back-to-School & Smart Decisions
Stand Strong
Finding Healthy
Ask A Teen Influencer!
Against Peer Pressure Alternatives
Hear from MADD teen influencers as they share real advice for coping with stress and making smart choices this school year.
Back to school events are fun, but they also allow opportunities for peer pressure. Learn how to stay strong and true to your values.
Being stressed doesn’t mean you have to give in to substances. This article explores positive outlets to cope with stress.
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by Jaaniya Dhillon, MADD Teen Influencer Coping with Back-to-School Stress & Making Smart Decisions
The first few weeks back at school can bring stress to us all. Managing a new course load, homework, sports, social life, and extracurriculars can be hard to adapt to all at once. Also, back-to- school means parties, dances, and other social events. With these parties comes the temptation to experiment
with substances. Not only is the idea of “escaping” problems through alcohol or vaping problematic, but it also does not work in the long run. Choosing healthier coping mechanisms ensures that you stay in control of your future. In order to prevent the pressure of school from becoming overwhelming, start off the school year by creating balance. Small things, like keeping a planner to write down all your homework and events, can help prevent you from forgetting important tasks and events. Additionally, prioritizing your health by getting enough sleep and eating healthy meals can help you keep a clear mind. These small tasks can prevent you from burning out and becoming overwhelmed.
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2025
Staying True to Your Values & Not Succumbing to Peer Pressure
Back-to-school events like parties, football games, and dances are fun ways to reconnect with friends after the summer, but they can sometimes come with peer pressure. At parties, it’s common to feel pressured to drink or vape if that’s what others are doing. However, staying true to your personal values is much more important.
If you plan on attending an event, think about bringing your own drink to prevent people from offering you one. Or, if you drive, use that as an excuse. If you don’t drive, make sure that you have a trusted ride home to prevent being in danger. Always remember that having fun doesn’t
require substances, and if it feels like that, maybe you’re surrounding yourself with the wrong people. True friends won’t care whether you use substances or not. And if you or
someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP for free, confidential support.
Ask A Teen Influencer Looking for some advice? Submit questions anonymously with the link below or by clicking on the icon to the left. MADD Teen Influencers may respond to your question on the next episode of Healthy Teen Talks! TINYURL.COM/MADDTEENADVICE
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2025
Healthy Coping Mechanisms As the school year begins, it’s easy to become stressed. But coping in healthy ways can protect your mental health and keep you focused on your goals. Instead of looking to substances as an “escape,” try these strategies that help you feel stronger in the long run. Movement , like taking walks, going to the gym, or stretching, can naturally boost your mood and make you less stressed. Mindful activities , like journaling, meditating, and taking moments to breathe, help people process overwhelming emotions. Connecting with others can also help: talking with a friend, mentor, or trusted adult can help you stay grounded. Taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and setting aside time for yourself can help you reduce stress long-term.
The Long-Term Impact of Small Choices
The decisions you make in the present shape your future. Small choices like finding healthy ways to cope with stress and saying no to substances may seem unimportant in the moment, but they build positive habits over time. Every time you say no to substances or prioritize your well- being, you’re protecting your long-term goals. Drugs and alcohol may be fun in the moment, but they can interfere with academics, sports, and future opportunities.
Every decision is a building block of your future. One by itself may not seem like much, but over time, they create a strong foundation. By making smart choices now, you give yourself the best chance to thrive later. Image provided by Joey Wang
MADD Teen Influencer
September 2025
Main Takeaways 1.Stress is normal, turning to substances isn’t. 2.Parties can be fun without alcohol or drugs.
3.Make sure to plan before parties. 4.Find healthy coping mechanisms.
Kahoot!
Here is a Kahoot made by the National Institutes of Health. You can play to learn something new about how drugs can impact the human brain!
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MADD's mission is to end drunk and drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking and other drug use. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage substance use, these teens will help MADD end impaired driving.
@MADDCalifornia
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