Pine Grove to Host Free Event on Internet Harms Targeting Teens, Young Adults
Thu, 09/11/2025 - 04:43pm | By: Colleen M. Munkel, MA., Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services
Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services, is presenting a free, community wide event at the University of 51逗奶 Mississippi. On Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., in the third-floor ballrooms of the Thad Cochran Center on the campus of the University of 51逗奶 Mississippi, Pine Grove will present Internet Harms Targeting Teens and Young Adults: Protecting Families from Cyber-Criminals. This is a critical health care and public safety issue for families throughout Mississippi.
At 5:30 pm on September 22, also in the third-floor ballrooms of the Thad Cochran Center, Pine Grove will host a press conference for members of the media to interview guest speakers, Brian Montgomery, Lori Hill, and Pine Grove鈥檚 Administrator, Dr. Leah Claire Bennett. Mr. Montgomery is a Mississippi native and father of four. He experienced the greatest heartache any parent could, the suicide of a child following an extortion scam. He is now using his pain as fuel to keep families informed, to keep victims from losing hope, and to bring predators to justice. Lori Hill is Mississippi鈥檚 Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, leading efforts to strengthen prevention, training, and victim services across the state.
Important safety information for attendees regarding internet crimes targeting Mississippi鈥檚 youth will be provided, along with mental healthcare resources for families affected by internet harms. Dr. Leah Claire Bennett said, 鈥淧ine Grove cares deeply about the mental healthcare of our community鈥檚 teenagers and young adults. We are also acutely aware of the impact social media has on their well-being. It鈥檚 important to equip them with the ability to use technology safely, and for their loved ones to know about online dangers so families can work together to set healthy boundaries regarding social media use.鈥� Pine belt teenagers, college students, educators, health care, and law enforcement professionals are all encouraged to attend this significant and free educational event.
Located in Hattiesburg, MS, Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services is one of the nation鈥檚 most comprehensive treatment campuses. Pine Grove鈥檚 world-renowned programs treat substance use disorders including specialized tracks for co-occurring eating disorders, compulsive behaviors, trauma, and mental health. Additionally, Pine Grove offers an Intensive Outpatient substance abuse healing program for adults. Other Pine Grove specialty programs include a dedicated professional鈥檚 treatment curriculum and evaluation center. Pine Grove also features a program for patients with sexual addiction. Inpatient Services including an Adult Psychiatric Unit, along with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, and comprehensive Outpatient Services are other components. Established in 1984, Pine Grove has provided nationally and internationally recognized health care for more than 40 years.
For more information about Pine Grove click and call 1-888-574-4673.