Focus Area News Post

What is Mindfulness and Why Does It Matter for Youth Today?

Elizabeth Porter2026-09-10T18:11:04+00:00

September 09, 2026, Durham, NC – Over the past several years, many adults who work with young people have noticed the same thing: today's youth are facing increasing stress and anxiety. Whether you are a teacher, youth program leader, counselor, coach, mentor, clinician, or parent, you may have seen children and teens struggle with worries, frustration, emotional outbursts, difficulty focusing, or feeling overwhelmed by everyday challenges. Many youth are navigating academic pressures, social media influences, family stress, and a constantly changing world, all while they are still learning how to understand and manage their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. As schools, [...]

What is Mindfulness and Why Does It Matter for Youth Today?Elizabeth Porter2026-09-10T18:11:04+00:00

iRT to Advance Media Ready Parent with Support from New NIH Grant

Elizabeth Porter2026-09-09T18:28:25+00:00

September 09, 2026, Durham, NC – Adolescents encounter messages about alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and other substances across social media, entertainment, advertising, and other parts of their everyday media environment. These messages can shape what young people perceive as normal, healthy, popular, or safe, often at the same time they are beginning to make more independent decisions about their lives. Parents have an important opportunity to help their children navigate and understand the messages in the media environment. Conversations at home can encourage young people to question the messages they see, consider potential risks, and make healthier and safer decisions. However, knowing [...]

iRT to Advance Media Ready Parent with Support from New NIH GrantElizabeth Porter2026-09-09T18:28:25+00:00

Helping Youth Start the School Year Strong Through Goal Setting

Elizabeth Porter2026-08-13T14:51:39+00:00

August 13, 2026, Durham, NC – The start of a new school year is more than a return to the classroom. It is an opportunity for young people to set new goals, build positive habits, and envision what they want to accomplish in the months ahead. Whether you are a teacher, mentor, afterschool professional, youth leader, or another trusted adult, you can play an important role in helping youth begin the school year with purpose. By encouraging meaningful goal setting and providing ongoing support, adults can help young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed both in and [...]

Helping Youth Start the School Year Strong Through Goal SettingElizabeth Porter2026-08-13T14:51:39+00:00

Coming Soon: A New Blog Series Exploring Mindfulness Education for Youth

Elizabeth Porter2026-08-13T17:24:56+00:00

August 11, 2026, Durham, NC – Why has mindfulness become an important topic in schools, youth programs, and healthcare? Organizations have been implementing mindfulness practice in everyday youth activities, but what does the research actually say about its impact on children and adolescents? In the coming months, iRT will be exploring these questions in a new blog series dedicated to the science of mindfulness. From understanding the foundations of mindfulness to exploring its role in healthy coping, emotional regulation, social-emotional skills development, school functioning, and substance use prevention, each article will examine the evidence behind mindfulness and how developmentally appropriate mindfulness [...]

Coming Soon: A New Blog Series Exploring Mindfulness Education for YouthElizabeth Porter2026-08-13T17:24:56+00:00

iRT Releases Fourth Edition of Media Ready to Address Today’s Evolving Media and Substance Use Landscape

Elizabeth Porter2026-07-16T18:30:53+00:00

July 14, 2026, Durham, NC – Today's middle school students are exposed to more substance-related media messages than ever before, and Media Ready has been helping them navigate those influences for two decades. Now, iRT is excited to announce the release of the fourth edition of Media Ready, our evidence-based substance misuse prevention program designed to help students think critically about media messages and make healthier decisions. Today’s middle school students are navigating a media landscape that looks dramatically different than it did just a few years ago. From influencer marketing and viral trends to emerging nicotine products, targeted digital advertising, [...]

iRT Releases Fourth Edition of Media Ready to Address Today’s Evolving Media and Substance Use LandscapeElizabeth Porter2026-07-16T18:30:53+00:00

iRT Publishes Long-Term Effects of Media Aware on Young Adult Sexual Health Beliefs

Elizabeth Porter2026-06-11T20:31:41+00:00

June 11, 2026, Durham, NC – iRT is pleased to announce that researchers Dr. Tracy Scull, Dr. Christina Dodson, Dr. Janis Kupersmidt, Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson, Dr. Katie Stump, and Liz Reeder have published a new study in Prevention Science, the flagship journal of the Society for Prevention Research. The article, Long-Term Efficacy of a Web-Based Sexual Health Promotion Program Using a Media Literacy Education Approach in a National Sample of Community College Students, examines the effectiveness of iRT's evidence-based sexual health education program, Media Aware, among community college students across the United States. Meeting the Sexual Health Needs of Community College [...]

iRT Publishes Long-Term Effects of Media Aware on Young Adult Sexual Health BeliefsElizabeth Porter2026-06-11T20:31:41+00:00

New Research Brief on Sex Education at Community Colleges

Elizabeth Porter2026-05-05T17:24:14+00:00

May 05, 2026, Durham, NC – iRT and Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) co-authored a newly released research brief entitled, Filling the Gap: Community College Students Expect Sexual Health Education on Campus. Supporting Community College Student Success Through Research Little is known about the sexual health of community college students compared to the extensive body of research on students attending four-year colleges or universities. For this reason, iRT researchers committed five years to conducting the Community College Health Study which examined the sexual and relationship health outcomes of community college students, how comprehensive sexual health programs may impact those outcomes, [...]

New Research Brief on Sex Education at Community CollegesElizabeth Porter2026-05-05T17:24:14+00:00

How Afterschool Programs Can Use Mentoring Trainings to Better Support Youth

Elizabeth Porter2026-04-09T20:28:13+00:00

April 09, 2026, Durham, NC – Afterschool programs provide students with opportunities for connection, growth, and learning beyond the classroom. One powerful way afterschool programs can strengthen their impact is by incorporating a mentoring approach into their staff’s everyday interactions with students. Fostering meaningful, safe relationships between youth and afterschool staff through mentoring supports student development in afterschool settings. Mentoring training can help make that possible. Why a Mentoring Approach Matters in Afterschool Settings Afterschool staff and volunteers interact with youth in a unique environment. Afterschool programs often provide more flexibility to build relationships, offer more individualized support, and create a [...]

How Afterschool Programs Can Use Mentoring Trainings to Better Support YouthElizabeth Porter2026-04-09T20:28:13+00:00

Helping Students Finish the School Year Strong: Building a Growth Mindset

Elizabeth Porter2026-04-09T20:22:28+00:00

April 08, 2026, Durham, NC – As the school year draws to a close, many students begin to lose momentum. Final projects, standardized testing, and the anticipation of summer break can make it difficult to stay focused and motivated. For some students, this time of year can feel overwhelming, especially if they are struggling academically or feeling discouraged about their progress. Supportive adults can play an important role during the end of the school year by helping students develop a growth mindset. As the school year enters its final stretch, adults can help students develop the mindset they need to push [...]

Helping Students Finish the School Year Strong: Building a Growth MindsetElizabeth Porter2026-04-09T20:22:28+00:00

Helping Schools Meet HB 959: Media Literacy Programs for Elementary Through High School

Elizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00

March 12, 2026, Durham, NC – As social media and digital platforms become a central part of young people’s lives, educators are tasked with helping students navigate online environments safely and responsibly. In response, North Carolina passed House Bill 959 (HB 959), which requires schools to provide instruction on social media literacy and responsible technology use. Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, public schools must provide instruction on social media literacy at multiple grade levels, once in elementary school, once in middle school, and twice in high school. The law outlines several topics that instruction should address, including but not [...]

Helping Schools Meet HB 959: Media Literacy Programs for Elementary Through High SchoolElizabeth Porter2026-03-12T21:32:35+00:00