May 2025

Greetings Prevention Champions!

Welcome to the Henrico Area Prevention Services Monthly Newsletter!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to prioritize mental wellness and reduce stigma. Whether through education, open conversations, or accessing resources, small actions make a big difference. Prevention is powerful when we all show up for ourselves and each other. Let’s normalize mental health conversations and support emotional well-being across all ages.

📌 Learn more:

🔹 NAMI MHAM Resources

🔹Mental Health Month Action Guide

🔹It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Tips and Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month

🔹National Council for Mental Well Being

🌟 National Prevention Week is May 11th – 17th

This year’s theme, “A Celebration of Possibility,” invites us to highlight what’s working in prevention and to celebrate youth, families, and communities taking steps toward healthier futures.

🎬 Event Spotlight

On May 12, Henrico Prevention Services is excited to kick off the week with The Power of Possibility: Speaking Through Our Stories — a community-centered event focused on youth voice, resilience, and healing. We’ll host a public showing of Speaking Through Me at the Henrico Theatre, followed by a dynamic panel discussion and community resource fair. This event brings together students, parents, and partners for an evening of education, empowerment, and connection — all grounded in prevention and mental wellness. Don’t miss it!

This event is FREE to the public and light refreshments will be served.

Environmental Strategies

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.

Lock and Talk: Together for Tomorrow

Mental health is important—for you, for me, for all of us. Together, we can create a future where no one has to face their struggles alone. It begins with kindness, compassion, and a promise to support one another. Whether you’re seeking help or offering it, you play a vital role in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

Visit lockandtalk.org/tomorrow for more info.

Tobacco Free Tuesday Webinars are now bimonthly!

View past Tobacco Free Tuesdays

Register now for May 18th. Visit QuitNowVirginia.org or call 1 800 QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) to get started with free coaching and free quit medications.

💐 Mother’s Day is May 11th 💐

Discover practical self-care tips tailored specifically for moms with this insightful article from Mayo Clinic Health Self-Care Tips for Moms. From managing stress, asking for help, and connecting with others to finding moments of calm amidst the chaos of daily life, these tips offer valuable guidance for mothers looking to prioritize their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.



10 Self-Care Tips for Moms with Little to No Support System



Activate Your Wellness

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



4/7: Virginia Clerks of the Courts Wellness Workshop

4/15: Hidden in Plain Sight - Glen Allen High School

4/18: Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition Meeting

4/18: Chickahominy Tribal Center Family Fun Fair

4/21: Baltimore Aquarium CONNECT Trip 

4/21: Safe Storage and Medicine Safety Presentation Pt.1, North Park Library

4/21: Henrico United at Hilliard Apts

4/26: DEA Drug Take Back Day

5/3: Charles City Wellness Fair

⚖ The Well-Balanced Workplace Workshop ⚖

Henrico Prevention Services facilitated an energizing workshop at the Virginia Clerks of Court Annual Conference, addressing mental health, managing change, and burnout prevention. Through interactive strategies and reflection, participants explored how to build stronger, more balanced teams. The feedback was incredible!

Here's what we have planned...



5/6: OMNI Spring Evaluation Planning Workshop 

5/12: The Power of Possibility: Speaking Through Our Stories Event, Henrico Theater 5:30 pm – 8 pm

5/14: Real Money, Real World Program for Youth Ambassadors

5/22: Senior Party & Resource Fair, Eastern Henrico Rec Center 10 am -12 pm

6/6: TJPP Mock Interviews @ the Oak 10 am – 1 pm

🐠 Connect Program Trip to the Baltimore Aquarium🚌

With schools closed for Easter Monday, our elementary and middle school Connect youth dove into discovery at the National Aquarium! From jellyfish to sharks, this hands-on experience fostered curiosity and connection — a perfect mix of education and fun.

Youth Ambassadors

💊 Drug Take Back Day



Rain didn’t stop our youth ambassadors from showing up for safe communities! Partnering with local law enforcement, teens collected unused medications to prevent misuse and protect families. We’re proud of their leadership in promoting medication safety and raising awareness around substance use prevention.

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.

Monthly Coalition Meeting (Virtual)

May 17th 12 pm-1:30 pm 

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

Dr. Caroline Cobb (VCU) is collecting confiscated vaping materials from local schools. She is testing these materials for adulterants in an effort to get a better idea of the dangers present in these products. If you are interested in participating contact her at cobbco@vcu.edu and she will help to facilitate the collection.

News the Henrico Community Can Use!

Prom Season Safety: The Power of Prom 💃🏽🕺🏽

Prom is a time to celebrate, make memories, and enjoy a milestone moment—but safety should always be part of the plan. That’s why we’re sharing an incredible initiative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) called The Power of Prom. This campaign empowers students to make smart, life-saving decisions by choosing to stay alcohol- and drug-free and never ride with an impaired driver.

Parents and teens can explore conversation guides, videos, and safe celebration tips—all designed to keep this prom season joyful and tragedy-free.

🎥 Watch the video

Let’s protect our youth by promoting healthy choices and positive peer influence this prom season. Learn more about Promposal.

Mark Your Calendar for our National Prevention Week Kickoff Event on May 12th!

Find out about free family centered events happening at the Oak in April!

Spring is in full swing. Check out https://linktr.ee/henricorecparks for Henrico resources and spring events for the whole family.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

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

See additional trainings below, offered by our Community Partners.

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!

Visit BeWellVA.com for regional training opportunities.

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.