The Pre-School Stress Relief Project

(PSSRP) was developed by Jennie C.

Trotter and Gloria S. Elder for early

prevention work with pre-schoolers.

This substance abuse prevention and

mental health program was developed

to reduce stress and increase coping

skills in children/youth.The PSSRP

provides training, consultation and

educational resources in the area of

stress management for preschoolers,

parents and teachers.This model is

based on the premise that equipping

children early with positive coping

skills for stress reduction will increase

their awareness and choices for healthy

lifestyles over negative ones such as

substance abuse.

Substance abuse prevention requires

more than providing basic information

it also includes teaching developmental

level skills necessary for forming

positive self images, making good

decisions, and developing coping

strategies. By guiding children to

improve their decision-making and

problem solving skills, we can help them

deal more efectively with the stressors

they encounter.