The human development and family science department at NDSU is scheduled to host its annual Gertrude Weigum Hinsz Lecture Series on Friday, March 23, at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union Century Theater, a reception with snacks and beverages will follow in the Memorial Union Art Gallery. 

Dan Flannery, professor and director of the Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at Case Western Reserve University is this year’s invited speaker. Flannery is the author of “Violence and mental health in everyday life: Prevention and intervention for children and adolescents” and has served as adviser for the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Crime Prevention Council and National Resource Center for Safe Schools.

The title of Friday’s lecture is “Violence and Mental Health in Everyday Life.”  Flannery will discuss violence exposures as a witness and a victim, as well as its relationship to mental health and behaviors, illustrated through a variety of studies conducted with youth and families, law enforcement agencies, treatment providers and juvenile and adult offenders.

In addition, the department has scheduled a question and answer session specifically targeted at parents at NDSU and in the surrounding community as an opportunity to ask Flannery questions in a casual setting.  Parents are invited to attend and discuss issues related to children’s exposure to violence and the potential impacts on their children. “Q & A with an expert: How does violence affect our children?” is set for Thursday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to noon in Sudro 27. 

Continuing education credits are available for the Friday presentation. If you have questions, contact Beth Salafia or Heather Fuller-Iglesias at elizabeth.salafia@ndsu.edu, heather.fuller-iglesias@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8268.