September is National Suicide Prevention Month

This month, make sure you know the warning signs of suicide. Some signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide. If a behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful experience, seek help by dialing 988.

Warning signs may include:

-Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

-Look for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or purchasing a gun

-Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

-Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

-Talking about being a burden to others

-Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

-Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

-Sleeping too little or too much

-Withdrawing or isolating themselves

-Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

-Extreme mood swings

CPH launches educational Wellness Wednesdays

Center for Population Health is launching “Wellness Wednesdays Educational Sessions” October 4 in the Johnstown Housing Authority communities as well as various senior center locations across Cambria County.

Every Wednesday from October 4 through November 15 different educational topics will be taken directly into the communities. Topics will include fall prevention, food education, safety/scams, transportation, substance use disorder, senior resources, employment, tobacco cessation, and hypertension.



Trained professionals in each field will present a session on the topic and accept questions pertaining to it.

Once the fall sessions are completed, a winter break will be taken. The educational sessions will continue in the spring on Wednesdays from March 20 through May 8.

Westmont Hilltop Elementary School hosts health fair

CPH teamed up with Westmont Hilltop Elementary School to host a Back-to-School Health Fair on September 21. Approximately 10 agencies attended with resource information and giveaways. AmeriHealth Caritas attended with their mobile health unit.

Support Farm Bill Reauthorization to strengthen food resources

Every five years, Congress has the opportunity to pass a strong Farm Bill that makes investments in the critical federal programs that help individuals and families keep food on the table. This legislation can strengthen almost every federal nutrition program that helps ease the strain and stress of hunger in communities across the country.  

The Farm Bill is the centerpiece federal legislation for food and farming, impacting access to nutritious food for the millions of people in the United States facing hunger. The Farm Bill reauthorization process provides an opportunity to improve and strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food support programs.  

SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is our nation’s most significant anti-hunger program and promotes economic security, health, and well-being. SNAP responds effectively and efficiently to changes in need, whether due to economic downturns, natural disasters, or other disruptions. More recently, it has proven to be a crucial tool for mitigating food hardship and supporting local economies during the pandemic.

Newsletter

Highlights

Farm Bill Reauthorization Support

Trick or Treat Yourself to Wellness



Wellness Wednesdays

Westmont Health Fair

COVID-19 boosters

COVID-19 boosters ready for fall

The FDA approved an updated COVID-19 booster and recommends that everyone ages 6-months and older receive it.

It's National Preparedness Month

This month is an opportunity to prepare for disasters and emergencies that can happen at any time.

One way to prepare is to build a disaster supplies kit with items, including water, food, flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.

Hunters Sharing the Harvest

Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) PA is a program that encourages Hunters to donate deer to an approved butcher/processor for distribution to food pantries. 

Recently, CPH Local Food Systems Coordinator Nan McNinney connected the Patton Food Pantry Manager to Fenton Meats in Marion Center. The manager picked up 580 pounds of ground venison to distribute to their patrons.

Nan is working on additional relationships with butchers in Westmoreland County to distribute to other pantries in Cambria County.

SNAP income changes take place October 1

SNAP income guidelines will be changed, effective October 1. The income requirements will be more generous allowing more individuals to receive the help they need.

Trick-or-Treat Yourself to Wellness set for October 21

Trick-or-Treat Yourself to Wellness Health Fair will be held at the Galleria Mall in Richland Township from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Stop by for entertainment and to see which resources and education may help you!