Quarterly Newsletter March 2022 |
Our Mission:
Advocate for injury and violence prevention and promote education and surveillance in Maryland through statewide partnerships.
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A Message from Board President Tom Manion
Greetings PSM Membership,
The Board of Directors has been hard at work these last few months on our core mission to support injury and violence prevention efforts statewide by educating professionals like yourselves in advanced topics related to this field; advocating for trauma-informed, scientifically-based legislation and policy; and connecting service and advocacy organizations across the state to share and collaborate on best and promising practices to keep our communities safe. Be sure to check out our social media accounts and our weekly e-mails for upcoming trainings, and please follow us if you haven’t already done so! We also have some exciting surprises in store regarding our website and membership benefits in the coming months. Stay tuned…
I’d also like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to apply to join the PSM Board of Directors. We are a Board of active volunteers working to make the PSM mission a reality, and we’re looking for enthusiastic, dedicated injury and/or violence-prevention professionals to join our ranks. If you have any questions about what being a Board member entails, please feel free to reach out to me directly at tmanion425@gmail.com.
Many thanks, as always, to our fantastic Program Director LaToya Bates for keeping the Partnership moving in a productive direction, we couldn’t do it without you!
Stay Safe,
Tom
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Please review the relevant information and opportunities below from organizations advocating injury and violence prevention. |
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Intimate Partner Violence
by Lauren Dougherty
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a widespread issue in our community, impacting approximately 1 in 4 women, 1 in 7 men,1 and over half of transgender individuals.2 Not only is IPV prevalent, but it can impact health outcomes of people who experience it, causing new health issues and exacerbating the ones that already exist.
IPV has been linked with poor general health, chronic disease, disability, somatic syndromes, injury, chronic pain, STDs, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and changes in endocrine and immune functions.3 Among pregnant women, IPV has been known to cause increased sexually transmitted diseases, preterm labor, and low-birth-weight infants.4 Even individuals who are victimized by some of the less tangible forms of abuse from a partner can experience negative health outcomes. One study demonstrated that the severity of psychological abuse experienced by IPV victims was linked to PTSD and depression, having significant direct effects on chronic pain severity. 5 Furthermore, it has been observed that if traumatized individuals who seek help for chronic physical health problems are not assessed and treated for their underlying response to trauma, their physical symptoms are likely to continue.6 The health crisis created by the COVID -19 pandemic has only proven to increase danger levels and health consequences of IPV.
Fortunately, professionals working in injury-prevention fields are coming into contact with victims on a regular basis and may be able to help. By knowing the signs of abuse and how to respond, these professionals can be a critical nexus for linking victims to services that could be lifesaving.
To learn more about the signs of IPV, how IPV impacts health, and available resources, join the Maryland Health Care Coalition Against Domestic Violence for the online event entitled “The Health Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence, sponsored by the Partnership for a Safer Maryland on Friday April 8, 2022 from 10:00am until 11:00am. Register here.
Lauren Dougherty
Training and Outreach Specialist, The Maryland Health Care Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Education & Training Committee Co-Chair, Partnership for a Safer Maryland, Board of Directors
RESOURCES
2. James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality.
4. Sharps, P. W., Laughon K., Giangrande S.K. (2007) Intimate Partner Violence and the Childbearing Year: Maternal and Infant Health Consequences. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2007;8(2):105-116. doi:10.1177/1524838007302594
5. Wuest, J., Ford-Gilboe, M., Merritt-Gray, M., Wilk, P., Campbell, J.C., Smye, V. (2010). Pathways of chronic pain in survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Women’s Health, 19(9), 1665-1674.
6. Gill J. M., Page, G.G., Sharps P., Campbell, J.C., (2008) J Urban Health. 2008 Sep; 85(5):693-706.
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Upcoming PSM Webinars
April 8, 2022 Intimate Partner Violence
April 19, 2022 Youth Mental Health
May 11, 2022 Traumatic Brain Injury
June 2022 Youth Suicide
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Legislation & Public Policy
Senate Bill 745
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PSM joined with Allison Kennedy, the Director of Government Relations for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), and Lisa Tenney, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee of the Maryland State Council, Emergency Nurses Association (MDENA) submitting a joint statement in opposition to Senate Bill 745 (Maryland Motorcycle Helmet Repeal Law).
Ms. Kennedy provided testimony in opposition to Senate Bill (SB) 745, legislation that would repeal Maryland’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law. This critical safety law has been preventing deaths and injuries and saving taxpayer dollars in Maryland for nearly 30 years.
The Committee Hearing was on March 15, 2022 and SB745 did not get a vote. As a result, is likely the end this year unless it is sent late through the Rule committee (unlikely).
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Marylanders in the Maryland Poison Center's service area are invited to request a poison safety packet for their home. |
This free packet includes poison safety information, Mr. Yuk stickers, telephone stickers, and a magnet. To request your packet, please click the following link:
https://www.mdpoison.com/education/request-free-poison-safety-packet/
Once your form has been submitted, you should receive your packet at the address that you provided in 10-14 days.
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Maryland Suicide Prevention Program
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The Maryland Suicide Prevention Program aims to prevent suicide by collaborating with the Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention as well as various state departments, community agencies, providers, and members to increase awareness of suicide and improve preparedness to identify individuals at-risk, intervene, and provide support to promote healing and improved quality of life.
The Maryland Suicide Prevention Program is not a crisis or emergency care center. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Maryland’s crisis hotline by calling 2-1-1 and pressing option 1 or texting 898-211. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
https://health.maryland.gov/bha/suicideprevention/Pages/home.aspx
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Focus Area Awareness Months 2022
March:
April:
- Motor Vehicle Safety
- Child Abuse & Neglect
May:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- TBI Week May 11 - 17
September:
October:
- Teen Driver Safety Week 16-22
- Intimate Partner Violence
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Our Board Members
Tom Manion, President
Dr. Rich Lichenstein, Vice President
Kathy Hensler, Treasurer
Jessica Dayal, Co-Chair, Education & Training Committee
Lauren Dougherty, Co-Chair, Education & Training Committee
Nicole Sealfon, Chair, Outreach & Communications Committee
Donna Bilz
Bella Chant
Kathy McKnight
Joyce Williams
If you are interested in becoming a PSM Board Member, please email your resume and letter of interest to PSM Director, LaToya Bates at lbates@safermaryland.org
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