October 2024

Greetings Prevention Champions!

Welcome to the October Edition of the Henrico Area Prevention Services

Monthly Newsletter!

October is Substance Use Prevention Month – Join Us in the Prevention Effort!

This month, we're focusing on how prevention is making a difference in communities across the country. Together, we can share stories of how prevention is improving lives and inspiring action.

Our goal is to prevent substance use before it starts, halt its progression, and reduce associated harms. Decades of research and community-based experience have proven that prevention works. It strengthens protective factors and reduces risks for individuals, families, schools, and communities.

By getting ahead of substance use and mental health challenges, prevention helps ensure that youth, families, and communities can thrive.

Substance Use Prevention Month spotlights this national effort, emphasizing the positive impact prevention has on communities everywhere. Let’s continue sharing the prevention story! For more information visit www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/prevention-month

Henrico Prevention Services

Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition - Youth Substance Use Prevention

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month and always, we spread awareness and take action to support survivors of domestic violence and their families. Visit the sites below for resources, campaign ideas, and other ways to get involved.

Office of Family Violence & Prevention

Resources for Survivors, Family & Friends

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Partners for Peace

The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders observes National Protect Your Hearing Month each October to raise awareness about the causes and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

NIHL is a permanent form of hearing loss caused by damage to the tiny hairs within the inner ear. The damage can be caused by noises that are too loud or being subject to loud noises for a long time. While this type of hearing loss is both preventable and common, it unfortunately frequently goes untreated and unnoticed until it becomes too severe to ignore. NIHL is irreversible and can occur at any age and any stage of life, including early childhood and during adolescence – impacting early childhood development and social/emotional/mental health and academic success.

Noisy Planet and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) have created free, shareable resources on why, when, and how to protect your hearing and prevent NIHL. https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/october-national-protect-your-hearing-month

Environmental Strategies

NAMI is excited to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the Teen and Young Adult (TYA) HelpLine. It is a free, nationwide peer-support service offering information, resource referrals, and support to teens and young adults. TYA Specialists are young individuals who have faced similar challenges and are well-trained to assist youth. They genuinely care and are here to help you navigate your way forward. You can reach out via phone, text, or chat.

Help Spread the Word: scroll down for a flyer and post in your school, local library, college commons, coffee shop, or local convenience store.

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

9/13: Talk Saves Lives, VA State Council Missionary Women’s Retreat

9/14: Laura Teague Memorial 5K

9/29-10/2: VFHY Champions for Youth Summit

9/30: Regional Recovery Day, 12:30-4:30pm, Henrico Sports & Events Center (JSW, YH) 

10/3: Henrico County Active aging Week Walk and Fitness Forum 10am-12pm, Henrico Sports & Events Center

10/5: Glen Allen Day, 9am-3pm, Crump Park

10/5: Charles City Out of Darkness Walk, Charles City High School, 9am Registration, 10am Start

Here's what we have planned...



10/12: Bernard Greene Drug Court Memorial 5K

10/17: 50+ Health and Fitness Expo Eastern Henrico Rec Center 10am- 12pm

10/19: Richmond Out of Darkness Walk, Byrd Park, 8am Registration, 9:30am Start

10/21-22: Community Coalitions of Virginia (CCoVA) Summit, Roanoke, VA

10/23-31: Red Ribbon Week

10/26: NAMI Walk, Deep Run Park

The Attack on Illiteracy is Back in Full Effect!

Omega's own Barry Beck, the author of Barry's MATHMAGICAL Journey, provided a book to each participant at the Oakland Connect Program. This amazing book address Math, Conflict Resolution, Asking for help, and Social Emotional Challenges.

It's Harvest Time at Richfield Connect!

Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition Corner

Great News...Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition earns the Drug Free Communities (DFC) federal funding of $125,000 to help address youth substance abuse and the overdose epidemic, in Henrico County.

Find our more about the DFC program.



RED RIBBON WEEK (RRW) is the largest drug prevention campaign in the nation. Celebrated October 23 - 31, it's mission is to increase awareness and keep kids drug free. This year the theme is Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free! On October 22, our friends at the HTS2S Coalition will conduct a fatal vision goggles activity with the students at the Highland Springs HS ACE Center. On October 29 they will host a Hidden in Plain Sight event at Deep Run High School (see flyer below). Check out the video below to learn more about RRW and then visit their website to see how you can get involved.

News the Henrico Community Can Use!

*Please note* Effective July 1, 2024, all communications coming from Henrico County general government employees will be from an @henrico.gov domain. Please ensure you update your contact information.

October 17, 2024 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Eastern Henrico Recreation Center

1440 N. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico

Ages 50+. Experience a wellness educational opportunity to improve your overall emotional, physical, and mental health. Engage with community vendors and receive information that benefits a happy lifestyle. Enjoy fitness demos like senior wellness, yoga, line dancing, and pickleball. Information: email cun04@henrico.gov or visit Henrico Rec & Parks

Registration for the 2024 CCoVA Summit is still open!

Visit the DEA Take Back Day Site to find a location near you to drop off and safely dispose of your unneeded medications.

Henrico County Public Schools and FEV Tutor partner to provide students in grades 3-12 with high-quality, division-sponsored virtual tutoring and homework help. FEV Tutor delivers live, one-to-one support to help students grow academically. 

More Information

This Mental Illness Awareness Week (10/6-10/12) and World Mental Health Day (10/10) NAMI's theme is “My Mental Health at Work." Let's increase awareness around how mental health is impacted by our workplace cultures.

• 74% of full-time employees in the U.S. say it’s appropriate to discuss mental health concerns at work. Only 58% say they feel comfortable doing so.
• 1 in 3 full-time employees say their mental health has declined because of work in the past year.
• Burnout is a common problem, with over half of respondents reporting feelings of burnout. Half (52%) of employees reported feeling burned out in the past year because of their job, and 37% reported feeling so overwhelmed it made it hard to do their job.



Find practical tips about how colleagues can support each other at work and how to advocate for mental health support at work. Visit NAMI's website for more information.

Action for Happiness

Join the Optimistic October Challenge and receive daily emails that help train our brains to see what's good. This challenge will help you develop realistic optimism by creating a habit of taking small positive actions every day.

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.

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.