April 2020

April 2020 We get by with a little help from our friends

It's Been a Rough Month.... so far and there is no end in sight. We are all juggling so many roles right now: parent, spouse, teacher, remote worker, or maybe unemployed worker. And we are all trying to stay healthy and connected while searching for our next roll of toilet paper. Not to make light of a serious situation, but this is a lot for us to handle. Not surprisingly, alcohol sales were up 55% in March, while calls to both crisis and warm lines have also increased as our time at home has lengthened. This issue is dedicated to providing resources you can use now: mental health resources, addiction resources, parenting resources, because all of us could use a little help right now.

Parenting Resources There has never been a time when parents didn't need support from family, friends, community members. Now, in our time of social distancing, teaching our kids at home, and the new COVID 19 reality, parents need this communal support even more. One way to reach out and receive this support is through parenting classes. Right now, there are many classes online--we want to highlight a few of them: Arbor Circle has a new virtual parenting series with dates here Nurturing Parenting is 10 week comprehensive parenting series starting 5/13 Just for Dads is a great support and learning series that begins on 5/19 Partnership for Drug Free Kids is also offering support for families with teens and young adults

Mental Health Resources Here are some important phone numbers to have in case you need them. And remember, many insurances are completely covering mental health visits! 24 hour Ottawa County Hotlines: in Grand Haven: 616-842 HELP (4357); in Holland: **616-396-HELP(4357) all other areas 1-866-512 HELP(4357) Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Arbor Circle in Holland: 616-396-2301 Catholic Charities: 616- 796-9595 Wedgewood Christian Services: 616- 930-5004 Ottawa CMH: 616-392-1873 DHHS Warmline: 1-888-733-7753 10am-2am help for anxiety, depression, and trauma, staffed by peer support specialists.

Lock it up!! We are all under tremendous stress right now--as are ALL the members of our household. Please take a few extra minutes to make sure: your prescription and over the counter medications are all locked up and away from the inquisitive hands of your little explorers your alcohol is also securely locked away from the older explorers in your house who may be bored, lonely, sad, or angry. This stay at home time is an excellent opportunity to talk to your kids about drugs, alcohol, and your feelings on their possible use. For tips on having this conversation, visit TalkSooner .

Substance Use Disorder Support It's hard enough to stay in recovery in the best of times; if you are struggling to stay sober there are many online meetings and groups to help support you! On Line 12 Step Meeting Sites https://www.aaonlinemeeting.net/ http://www.stayingcyber.org/ https://www.intherooms.com/home/live-meetings/ http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php https://aabeyondbelief.org/…/04/25/online-secular-aa-meeti…/ https://www.e-aa.org/links/links.php?ID=7 Text Support https://www.addictionpolicy.org/connections-app Smart Recovery Online Resources https://www.smartrecovery.org/ NA On Line Meeting Sites https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/text-results.php… https://www.neveraloneclub.org/ https://virtual-na.org/ Alanon Resources https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/ https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/ http://aaphonemeetings.org/

Ottawa Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition Contact Leigh Moerdyke at lmoerdyke@arborcircle.org https://arborcircle.org/services/prevention-and-advocacy/ Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OSAPCoalition Talk Early. Talk Often. Learn How.  www.talksooner.org

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