Linn County STAND Youth Council
Join the STAND Youth Council
The Linn County STAND Youth Council is made up of high school students from across the county who work to promote healthy and positive school climates.
Through youth-led media campaigns, peer outreach, and school-based activities, STAND members work to prevent youth substance use while promoting mental wellness.
STAND Youth Council Creates Video Series for Parents
The Linn County STAND Youth Council has released three Dr. Seuss-inspired videos with a light-hearted reminder for parents: Talk to kids about the risks of youth substance use!
Watch Video 1: Talk to kids about the risks of vaping
Watch Video 2: Talk to kids about underage drinking
Watch Video 3: Talk to kids about youth marijuana use
Why did you create this video project?
Our project is all about showing parents that starting conversations with teens about the risks of alcohol and drugs is actually pretty easy. Even just a few minutes here and there can make a big difference!
What topics did you cover in the videos?
We made three videos, each about a different topic — vaping, marijuana, and alcohol. In each one, we break down the risks and why it’s so important to talk about them often.
What would you like to see happen when parents watch the videos?
We want to get both parents and teens to check out these videos and start having small talks—those quick conversations that can actually make a big difference. Hopefully, this helps everyone be more open and keeps kids safe from underage drinking, vaping, and marijuana. We’re proud of this project and can’t wait to share all three videos!
STAND Launches Spring/Summer Campaign: “Check In, Don’t Check Out”
The STAND Youth Council has been working on a spring and summer project centered around the message: “Check In, Don’t Check Out.” The campaign encourages students to reach out to their friends if they’re concerned, whether it’s due to substance use, mental health struggles, or tough times.
The goal is to raise awareness about the signs that someone might be struggling, share practical ways to check in with friends, and connect students with helpful resources for support. The hope is that students will recognize when others need help, feel empowered to listen, and know how to access available resources.
For the project, STAND students designed and assembled all the materials for their campaign, including posters, carabiners with check-in tips, and a short announcement. The materials were distributed by STAND students at their local high schools.
This summer, the message continues. STAND is sharing their “Check In, Don’t Check Out” tips leading up to summer break. They want to be sure students know what to look for, how to check in, and where to turn for help. To encourage students to check in with friends this summer, the Youth Council has created a list of fun, safe summer activities for teens in Linn County to enjoy with friends, helping promote connection and overall well-being.
STAND Spotlight
Being involved with STAND is important to me. We have fun at our meetings and I feel like I am making a difference in my school and community.
I believe these short videos will make a big impact for both teens and parents. In STAND, we talked about how uncomfortable parents can seem when they talk with their kids about substance use, so we created these videos to help. The videos are meant to encourage parents to have small talks with their kids about alcohol, vaping, and marijuana. It is very important to talk about substance use with teens because there are so many questions and ways to prevent temptation. Creating these videos was a really great memory and opportunity for me because it was amazing to see so many people my age come together to help the community and encourage other teens to talk openly with their families about the risks of substance use.
Linn County STAND isn’t just an ordinary extracurricular club. STAND is a powerful group of student advocates coming together to reduce health risks among teenagers. As a health education teacher, I became a part of STAND to empower my students to have a voice; an opportunity to network and experience tremendous growth. The opportunities STAND has given myself and my students will impact us for a lifetime. I have seen previously shy and timid students build their confidence and communication skills to speak in front of a group of over 200 peers. STAND is a community, a feeling of fellowship encouraging all to live their best lives.