Content Warning: This issue of the Prevention Journal includes mentions of sexual assault. Please read with caution and take care of your mental health. | |
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In this Issue:
- News
- Events & Webinars
- Community Resources
- Los Recursos Familial en Español
- Family Resources in English
- Job Opportunities
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Spotlight On:
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and we know it's important to talk about this issue, especially with our prevention community.
Sexual assault survivors are at higher risk of developing or aggravating pre-existing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and PTSD. These mental health issues put individuals at a greater risk for developing a substance use disorder. People who experience sexual assault who already experience depression may experience worsening symptoms or even suicidal ideation.
When we talk about mental health and share resources, we help to prevent greater harm coming to survivors of sexual assault and help to mitigate any repercussions as they heal from their experiences and seek support. We can help the problem by showing up and talking about this issue.
Some facts about sexual assault, trauma, and the risks of developing a substance use disorder:
“It’s estimated that one in 13 males and one in four females are sexually abused during childhood. Being sexually abused is a childhood trauma that puts people at increased risk for substance use disorders.
Sexual abuse is considered an adverse childhood experience (ACE). The more ACEs, the greater vulnerability to alcohol addiction or drug addiction. Some research has found that sexual abuse as an ACE is one of the strongest predictors of future substance abuse.” - Footprints to Recovery
Read more about childhood adverse experiences and substance use disorders here
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Research tells us that substances like opioids, marijuana, and alcohol play a big role in both perpetrators of sexual assault (people harming others) and victims of sexual assault (people being harmed). It’s important to know the risks, the dangers and what resources are available to us and our community to help protect ourselves and make safe choices.
Information sharing about things like consent, knowing the risks of mixing alcohol with prescription drugs, and when someone is intoxicated and unable to give enthusiastic consent are all factors that can help prevent violence against others and ourselves.
This month is about healing for many sexual assault survivors, and prevention to help lower the instances of sexual assault on a daily basis in our communities and cities.
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Rising Overdose Deaths From Drugs in Milwaukee | |
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In the Milwaukee area and across the country, a powerful veterinary sedative and tranquilizer called Xylazine has increasingly been showing up mixed with the already dangerous opioid fentanyl.
The drug adds another layer of suffering and danger for people suffering from addiction to opioids like Fentanyl. It has been found to cause “horrendous skin wounds,” as Dr. Ben Weston, chief health policy advisor for Milwaukee County, put it.
The drug, which, like opioids, also causes depressed breathing, cannot be reversed by life-saving emergency medications like Narcan. “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.
In 2020, Xylazine was present in approximately 1% of overdose deaths in the county, and by 2022, 10.4%.
During an emergency press conference sounding the alarm about a rash of overdose deaths, Sara Schreiber, technical forensic director of the toxicology lab at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner, said the latest data shows its presence in approximately 35% of fatal overdoses thus far in 2023.
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U.S. Opioid Crisis Best Viewed as Connected Ecosystem; Changing Policymakers' Approach Can Aid Solutions | |
The nation's opioid crisis, which kills thousands of Americans annually, is best viewed as an ecosystem where all parts of the vexing problem are interconnected, underscoring the need for holistic solutions that address the broad needs of those with substance use disorders, their families, and the communities where they live, according to a RAND Corporation report.
For example, it is very common for people to encounter barriers to treatment and other services as they leave jail or prison. And poor information gathering has hampered policymakers' ability to understand how different parts of the ecosystem interact and how that interaction affects people passing through parts of the ecosystem.
Researchers say the report can help policymakers appreciate how one component of the opioid ecosystem may have a major impact on opioid-related outcomes in other components. And the report identifies new policy opportunities that require interacting with or reducing barriers among multiple components in the ecosystem.
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Early Childhood Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention for School Personnel Series
Tuesday, April 18 & Thursday, April 20
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During this 90-minute, interactive webinar from Pacific Southwest PTTC, educators will learn about the unique considerations for preventing, recognizing, and responding to suicide risk in elementary-age children. Using vignettes, participants will gain experience recognizing risk factors and warning signs of suicide in young children; practice developmentally appropriate assessment strategies; and explore tiered, school-based approaches to prevention and intervention. This two-part series will be held April 18 and April 20. Part 1 is Self-Harm and Suicide Awareness Prevention in Childhood and Early Adolescence. Part 2 is Young Children and Suicide Prevention for Parents and Caregivers. RSVPs are required. | |
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Engaging across Differences: Constructive Dialogue for Civic Health
Tuesday, April 18
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The U.S. is experiencing deep political polarization that can limit opportunities to participate in the civic life of a community.
Bridging – or engaging people who hold different views, values and identities – is one strategy to reduce polarization. In this webinar, we will introduce the practice of bridging to facilitate belonging, inclusion and civic participation. Join this webinar hosted by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps to learn more.
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Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Networks' No Menthol Sunday Kick-off Event, Wednesday, April 19 | |
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The 2023 theme is Focus on Victory, Go Against the Grain. For decades, the tobacco industry has deliberately targeted Black people using aggressive marketing efforts.
As a result, tobacco use has become a major vector for death and disease in Black communities, taking 45,000 lives a year. Join the event and get involved in No Menthol Sunday. This WAATPN virtual event will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19.
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10 Tips to Reduce Conflict: Practical Verbal De-escalation Techniques Workshop
Thursday, April 20
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During this two-hour virtual workshop, you will learn how to increase safety by utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore foundational information on how to reduce the level of conflict through self-knowledge, understand how past experiences influence current behavior, and practice 10 tips of de-escalation.
This workshop is aimed toward individuals who encounter conflict in the workplace, at home, or in the community, whether you are a parent or educator, work in the helping professions, or otherwise work with the public in potentially tense situations. This online workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on April 20.
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Milwaukee River Clean Up Day
Saturday, April 22
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Volunteers are still needed for this day of action! Milwaukee Riverkeeper will provide bags, gloves, supplies and a free t-shirt, and they need people like you to provide the hands and energy to pick up trash. Grab a garbage bag, and let's clean up! | |
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Wednesday, April 26
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Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.
This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.
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WCS Community Building Workshop
May 5 to May 7
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Community Building Workshops (CBWs) utilize powerful principles and practices originally developed by M. Scott Peck MD, renowned author of The Road Less Traveled. Workshops create powerful trust and bonding experiences for groups and teams; improve inter- and intrapersonal skills; and lead to personal and professional development.
This three-day, no-cost workshop will be held May 5 through 7 at WCS North Avenue Campus, 2342 N. 27th St., Milwaukee.
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Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Virtual Symposium
Thursday, May 11
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The National Council on Aging is proud to host the 6th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium with keynote speaker Montell Williams.
This online event is co-sponsored with the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Registration is free and includes a full day of sessions on how to best meet the mental health needs of older adults.
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Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit
May 15-18
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This event highlights prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery strategies related to opioids, stimulants, and trauma. All people with an interest in building healthy communities are invited to attend.
The Opioids, Stimulants, and Trauma Summit is organized by the Division of Care and Treatment Services and Wisconsin Connect, a service of the Center for Urban Population Health. The Center of Urban Population Health is made up of faculty and staff from the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, UW-Milwaukee, and Advocate Aurora Research Institute.
It will be held May 16 through 18 (with in-person pre-conference activities on May 15) at Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. A free virtual option is also available.
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Hey, there,
-- do you have:
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Job openings?
- Upcoming events?
- News to share?
- Suggestions?
Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.
Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!
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How to support Transgender and Nonbinary Clients
While gender dysphoria among transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people is a widely researched and documented experience, the same cannot be said for gender euphoria.
This tip sheet, based on a recent qualitative study, defines gender euphoria, provides real-life examples from participants, and outlines how behavioral health practitioners can help their TNB clients experience affirmation, confidence, and joy around their gender identity. Download the tip sheet here!
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Are you looking for some direction and unsure where to start your mental health journey? This "Where to Start" book helps individuals struggling with mental health find some direction and resources.
Using a jargon-free approach, Mental Health America provides information on understanding warning signs, symptoms, and options for individuals and their mental health journey. Learn more here
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The 988 Partner Toolkit is a one-stop shop for social media, video, print, radio, FAQs, messaging, and other marketing materials for anyone to use to promote awareness of 988. They encourage you to take any items within the Toolkit and use them as a starting or finishing point towards promoting the 988 Lifeline. Check out the tool kit here!
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Los Recursos Familial en Español | |
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En la línea de ayuda en español de RAINN en su voz está el poder
Para aquellos cuyo idioma principal es el español, puede ser difícil encontrar los recursos necesarios luego de haber sido víctimas de la violencia sexual. Es aún más difícil encontrar dichos recursos para aquellos que desconocen las leyes en EEUU, así como para los que se sienten incómodos solicitando información en inglés, los indocumentados o los que temen hacerse objeto de la discriminación debido a su raza, su sexualidad, su identidad de género o por cualquier otro motivo.
Por eso RAINN ofrece los servicios de la línea de ayuda en español para los que se hayan hecho objeto de agresiones sexuales. Dichos servicios se ofrecen por teléfono llamando al número siguiente: 800.656.4673 y mediante el enlace rainn.org/es.
Los servicios que se ofrecen mediante la línea de ayuda son gratuitos, confidenciales, mantienen el anonimato del que llama y se encuentran a la disposición del público las veinticuatro horas del día, todos los días de la semana.
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Family Resources in English | | | | |
