Our Approach
Prior to our visit to your school community, we will meet with you to provide a “snapshot” of current strengths, desires, and areas of focus. We will provide a custom-tailored set of sessions with the students so they will benefit from the in-class lessons in the most productive manner. A “snapshot” to us means a holistic, qualitative, and quantitative assessment(s) of your community over time. A key part of these snapshots involve surveys to all students before and after each visit.
Snapshot
Program Implementation
Atom Theory’s goal is to help students unlock a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them through our comprehensive education services and lectures. Discussions include the use of alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and other drugs. We will also cover social norms regarding the use of alcohol and the decision-making process when it comes to alcohol and drug abuse. Sessions are designed to enhance students’ analytical skills and to build a lifelong “tool-kit” of resources immediately accessible to them. Our expert-guided sessions provide tailored support for students and professionals alike.
Social Norms: At Atom Theory, we know that if a young person anticipates substance use in a future situation (i.e. parties, various social teen-centered events), the student is more likely to use various substances when these activities arise in the future. This concept is based on indirect, descriptive, anticipatory socialization, as well as other forms of pressure. The Social Norms Approach to Prevention is the keystone of our philosophy at Atom Theory. We want to help your community understand that the likely reality is that most of your students are choosing to make healthy choices. We can help you lower use rates in your community by actively changing the social norm and providing real-time important information regarding the Social Norms Approach to Prevention.
Future Planning
At the end of our visit, we will come together as a team and develop a plan for the future. We will a create short, as well as a long-term plan.
Comprehensive Prevention is more than a “one-stop” visit; it involves taking action through years of conversations, the changing of unhealthy behaviors and perceptions, and taking necessary steps to achieve specific goals for your school. Our efforts will always be guided by current prevention research. Prevention initiatives involve the whole community: individuals, families, schools, and local organizations. Effective prevention occurs when an entire community is supporting the same goals and sharing the same message of health and well-being. Our goal is to guide you as you move closer to those goals and support you to consistently achieve them in the years to come.
