March 2024

Greetings Prevention Champions!

Welcome to the March Edition of the Henrico Area Prevention Services Monthly Newsletter!

🎰🎲 March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month! 🎲🎰

For the past 20 years, PGAM takes place each March, coinciding with the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament. In 2022, an estimated 17% of Americans were projected to wager over $3 billion legally on March Madness, with an additional $7 billion illegally, often unknowingly (AGA, 2022).

A recent U.S. News and World Report article highlighted concerns among college students, as several universities and athletic departments have formed partnerships with sports gambling companies and brick-and-mortar casinos. These partnerships enable gambling advertisements on campus and in students' email inboxes, even for those under 21 (Clayborn, 2023). To address these issues, some states have banned betting on in-state college games, and some universities prohibit gambling by students, faculty, and staff on their own teams (Smith, 2022).

Let's raise awareness and promote responsible gambling practices, especially for our youth.

Source: PTTC on Problem Gambling

Source: 1-800-GAMBLER

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) is March 18-24, 2024.

This annual health observance aims to spark conversations about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. NDAFW brings together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to advance scientific understanding and address youth drug and alcohol use.

Let's join the conversation and empower our youth with knowledge during National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®! For activity ideas and more information about NDAFW, visit:

Activity Ideas

NIH Research and Topics

🚭 Dive into the truth about vaping with VFHY's Behind The Haze campaign! 🚭 Learn about the harmful chemicals lurking in vapor and their serious health impacts, especially for Virginia youth aged 13 to 18. Discover the facts about formaldehyde, acetone, acetaldehyde, and other carcinogens present in e-cigarette vapor.

Visit Behind the Haze to get the facts!

🌸 March is 🌸

Women's History Month!



This month, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Here are some simple ways individuals and communities can honor and celebrate women's history:

1. Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about influential women in history and their contributions to society. By understanding their struggles and successes, we can gain valuable insights into the importance of gender equality and women's rights.
2. Support Women-Owned Businesses: Show your support for women entrepreneurs by shopping at women-owned businesses in your community. By empowering women economically, we can promote financial independence and resilience.
3. Advocate for Gender Equality: Speak out against gender discrimination and inequality in all its forms. Whether it's in the workplace, politics, or social settings, advocate for equal rights and opportunities for women.
4. Mentorship and Support: Offer mentorship and support to young girls and women in your community. By providing guidance and encouragement, we can help them reach their full potential and navigate challenges they may face.
5. Promote Health and Wellness: Prioritize women's health and wellness by advocating for access to healthcare services, mental health support, and resources for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. By promoting holistic well-being, we can enhance women's resilience and empower them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

National Women's History Museum: https://www.womenshistory.org/

National Women's History Alliance: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/

Library of Congress Women's History Month: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/

Women's History Month Movie: Hidden Figures

Eastern Henrico Recreation Center

March 16 @ 6:30PM

Visit their Facebook Page for the Amazing Events during March.

Here's what we've been up to...

February 1-2: SAM Good Drug Policy Summit, National Harbor, MD

February 3: Coaches for the Cure, Henrico Sports & Events Center

February 15: All Together Tuesdays: All About Black History Month

February 21-22: DCJS Power of Prevention Summit, Crossings at VA Center

February 22-23: Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference

February 22: Silent No More at Godwin H.S.

February 24: Teen Summit RVA 2024

February 27: Soul Bowl, The Oak

February 29: Mental Health First Aid Training at Marsh & McLennan Agency

Silent No More educates parents and community on the invisible dangers of substance misuse, including opioids and prescription pain meds. A team of experts shared the short-term and long-term effects of substance misuse on life, the developing brain, relationships with friends, family, and community. Through our Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition, we made medication lock boxes, disposal kits, and other prevention resources available to all.

Here's what we have planned...

March 12: Hidden in Plain Sight @ Tucker H.S.

March 19: Hiddlen in Plain Sight @ Highland Springs H.S.

February 9: Sticker Shock

Our Youth Ambassadors got ahead of the Super Bowl and took action in the fight against underage drinking by participating in Project Sticker Shock.

Project Sticker Shock is a powerful initiative aimed at preventing underage youth from accessing alcohol. Our ambassadors visited a Henrico County grocery store, where they placed stickers and window clings on alcohol products. These stickers serve as a reminder of the legal consequences for providing alcohol to underage individuals or using fake IDs to purchase alcohol.

February 24: Teen Summit RVA

Check out our Facebook Reel from the event!

February 27: Soul Bowl - Henrico Prevention Services Annual Black History Competition

Youth from all four Connect Programs participated and did an amazing job recalling their Black History Facts! There could only be one winner in each category!

The Pep Talk...

The 2024 Elementary Soul Bowl Champions are...

Oakland Village Connect

The 2024 Secondary Soul Bowl Champions are...

Oakland Village Connect

Youth Ambassadors

March 13: CPR and First Aid Training

April 2: College Tours at Old Dominion University & Virginia State University

News the Henrico Community Can Use!

March 11 - 14 - HCPS is Hosting a Bridge Builders Academy Week!

March is Mindful March...

a month dedicated to practicing mindfulness and promoting mental well-being. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment and cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. It's a powerful tool for reducing stress, improving focus, and enhancing overall happiness.

To participate in Mindful March, consider joining the global movement led by Action for Happiness. They provide a Mindful March calendar with daily prompts and activities to help you incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. From mindful breathing exercises to gratitude practices, there's something for everyone to try.

Visit https://actionforhappiness.org/ to access the Mindful March calendar and explore additional resources for enhancing your well-being. Let's make March a month of mindfulness and self-care!

Cultivate Greater Peace in 31 Days with this Mindful March Challenge

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Henrico Prevention offers various FREE community-based trainings supporting mental health awareness and substance use prevention.

✨Explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with our insightful and impactful collaborative team virtual training. ACEs are events in childhood that can have lasting effects on health and well-being.

We invite community organizations to prioritize mental health and resilience by attending this 2-hour ACEs training. Uncover the keys to understanding and addressing these experiences for a brighter, more compassionate future.

Click the flyer to register!

Together, let's foster a supportive environment.

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!

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