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Greetings Prevention Champions!
Welcome to the June Edition of the Henrico Area Prevention Services Monthly Newsletter!
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June is Men's Mental Health Month, a time to normalize conversations around mental wellness, especially for the men and boys in our lives. From stress and anxiety to depression and emotional burnout, men often experience mental health challenges in silence. Let’s change that. Whether it’s checking in, encouraging therapy, or modeling emotional openness, we all play a role in supporting mental wellness.
Men's Health Week: June 9-15
This week emphasizes the importance of physical and mental health and serves as a reminder to encourage the men in our lives to take proactive steps toward their well-being.
Learn more and find resources: mhanational.org/men | Man Therapy - Gentlemental Health 101
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June is PTSD Awareness Month
This month, we raise awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and honor the resilience of those who live with trauma. PTSD doesn’t just impact veterans, it can affect anyone, including youth and families in our communities. Recognizing the signs, building supportive environments, and connecting individuals to trauma-informed care are all essential in prevention and healing. Healing is possible with time, support, and the right tools. For more information and resources, visit the National Center for PTSD at ptsd.va.gov | About Face Campaign | nami.org/ptsd.
| | | Environmental strategies are long-term approaches aimed at changing shared community conditions, like social norms or the availability of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, to reduce risks and create lasting positive change. These strategies focus on the whole population, provide quick wins, and build momentum for long-term impact. | | | Did You Know about these Virginia's Lock & Talk Initiatives that support mental health, promote medication and firearm safety and prevent suicide? Learn more about the two below by clicking the 🔗 | | |
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)
CIT programs train first responders to recognize and respond effectively to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. By fostering collaboration between law enforcement, mental health professionals, and the community, CIT improves safety, de-escalates high-stress situations, and connects people to appropriate care.
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Gun Shop Project
The Gun Shop Project is a partnership with firearm retailers and ranges to promote suicide prevention. By distributing educational materials and encouraging secure storage practices, the project empowers gun owners to recognize warning signs and safely intervene when a loved one may be at risk.
| | Here's what we've been up to... | | |
5/3: Charles City Wellness Fair
5/6: OMNI Spring Evaluation Planning Workshop
5/12: The Power of Possibility: Speaking Through Our Stories Event
5/14: Real Money, Real World Program for Youth Ambassadors
5/22: Senior Party & Resource Fair, Eastern Henrico Rec Center
6/3: Catch My Breath Prevention Tech Training
6/6: TJPP Mock Interviews
6/9: CONNECT Summer Programs & Teen Job Prep Program Begin
On May 12, 2025, Henrico Prevention Services, Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition & Empower Henrico hosted The Power of Possibility: Speaking Through Our Stories at the Henrico Theater, featuring a public screening of the documentary Speaking Through Me. The evening included a powerful panel discussion, community resource tables, and wellness strategies designed to support mental health and substance use prevention for youth and families. Check out our digital program.
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Connect Corner
As the school year ended, great things were happening at our programs.
Celebrating Our Greenwood Elementary & Tuckahoe Middle School Wise Guyz
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Spring was in full swing at Henrico Arms Connect Program
🌸 🌼 🌷 🌺
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Youth Ambassadors at the Reality Store
In our annual partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, our Youth Ambassadors experienced simulations of financial decisions adults make everyday to provide for themselves and their family. This event helped our teens understand real world expenses and situations they may encounter as adults.
| | We are preparing our teens for the world of work! | |
The Teen Job Preparatory Program (TJPP) equips youth ages 14–15 with essential job readiness skills during the school year, leading to a paid summer placement in a local business. On June 6, our teens participated in a powerful mock interview session at Varina Library—practicing etiquette, answering real-world questions, and building confidence with support from professional volunteers. Special thanks to Mr. Quincy for his inspiring talk on workplace communication and Ms. Denise for sharing expert tips on etiquette and showing up as your best self. We’re also grateful to our community partners—including Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition, Henrico Libraries and Schools, Prevention staff, and dedicated parents—for helping prepare our youth for success.
Their summer jobs begin June 9!
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☀️ Summer Break Prevention Strategies for Families & Youth
School’s out, and summer is in full swing! While it's a season for fun and freedom, it's also a time when unsupervised time and boredom can increase risks like substance use, peer pressure, and social media overload.
Here are a few summer prevention tips:
- Keep routines and expectations in place 🕒
- Stay engaged with youth — ask questions, spend quality time 💬
- Encourage healthy activities and summer jobs ⚽📚
- Monitor and guide media usage 📱
- Stay connected to positive peer and community groups 🧍🏽♂️🧍🏿♀️
- Together, let’s keep protective factors strong all summer long!
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Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition is a 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit Organization that promotes health and wellness in Henrico County with a primary focus on reducing youth substance abuse through education, advocacy and capacity building.
If you would like more information about Too Smart 2 Start Coalition or interested in attending a meeting, please email henricotoosmart2start@gmail.com
Follow the coalition on Facebook and Instagram
| | | News the Henrico Community Can Use! | |
🔧 8 Ways Men Can Tune Up Their Mental Health
- Speak Up, Don’t Suck It Up – Talking it out is strength, not weakness.
- Move Your Mood – Exercise isn’t just for the body; it’s therapy in motion.
- Eat Like You Mean It – Fuel your brain, not just your gains.
- Call in the Pros – If it’s heavy, don’t carry it alone—get help.
- Your Crew Matters – Strong minds roll with solid people.
- Think Before You Drink – Substances might numb the pain—but they don’t solve the problem.
- Chill Smarter – Breathe deep, unplug, and let the stress go.
- Check In to Stay In Check – Your health is worth the appointment.
🧠 Let’s break the stigma...because strong men ask for help.
Learn more and find resources: mhanational.org/men | Man Therapy - Gentlemental Health 101 | Activate Your Wellness
| | Henrico Prevention offers various FREE community-based trainings supporting mental health awareness, substance use prevention, and wellness. | | |
Visit BeWellVA.com for regional training opportunities.
Be Well VA is the Community Services Boards Office on Prevention regional approach to bring awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promote wellness for life. We are a local resource to help you find your path to emotional well-being. Find out what’s happening in your community, learn more, and BE WELL Virginia!
| | Henrico Prevention thrives on your input and engagement. We invite you to share your thoughts on our newsletter—what you loved, what you'd like to see more of, and any ideas for future content. Your valuable feedback helps us tailor our communications to better serve your needs and interests. | | |
Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services, Prevention Services | 3908 Nine Mile Rd. Richmond, VA 23223| 804-727-8097 | henricoprevention@henrico.us |
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