SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER | | 25 Years Later: Remembering September 11, 2001 | | |
This month marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our nation and the work of public health.
The Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center pauses to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and to recognize the first responders, public health professionals and countless others who stepped forward to help in the hours, days and years that followed. Their courage and commitment under extraordinary circumstances remain a powerful example of service.
As we reflect on that day and its lasting impact, we are reminded of the critical role public health plays in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies of every scale. The lessons of September 11th continue to shape how we train, plan and support the workforce that protects our communities.
We will never forget.
“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” — Virgi
| | September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month | | |
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma and highlight the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. The Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center recognizes the important role mental health plays in overall health and well-being. To support this observance, we've gathered resources to help public health professionals, community partners and others promote awareness, encourage meaningful conversations and connect individuals with suicide prevention and mental health support.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis and/or needs immediate support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Suicide Prevention | |
Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. There are steps you can take to keep yourself safe through a crisis. Call or text 988 (24/7/365) or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
You can also visit Find Support to get support to find resources on:
- Finding low or no-cost support
- Asking for help
- Preparing for treatment
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National Alliance on
Mental Illness (NAMI):
Suicide Prevention Month
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Each September, NAMI recognizes Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness, spread hope and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the tools, resources and support they need to talk openly about suicide prevention, recognize warning
signs and seek help.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Preventing Suicide | |
Preventing suicide begins long before someone is experiencing a crisis. By creating healthy environments for individuals, families and communities, we can protect people from feeling suicidal in the first place. We can also lessen the community effects of suicides when they do happen, which can reduce risk among those who lost a loved one to suicide, and promote healing.
Everyone can help prevent suicide by learning the warning signs, promoting resilience and supporting people at risk. Click the link below to learn more.
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Angelina County & Cities Health District
Receives ADCES-DEAP Accreditation
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For more than 13 years, the Angelina County & Cities Health District (ACCHD) has been helping individuals and families in Angelina County understand and manage diabetes — one class, one conversation and one person at a time.
Last month, ACCHD's long-standing commitment to improving community health earned national accreditation recognition. The Angelina County & Cities Health District received accreditation through Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists' Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (ADCES-DEAP), a nationally recognized accreditation program for diabetes education services. This achievement confirms that ACCHD's Education Program meets rigorous national standards for providing quality, evidence-based diabetes self-management, education and support.
Congratulations ACCHD!
| | | | Public Health Training Center Network (PHTCN) | | Upcoming Webinar:
Applying Systems Change in Public Health:
A Real-World Case Study | | |
Looking for practical ways to address complex public health challenges?
Join this free, one-hour webinar to learn how a local health department applied concepts and tools from the Learning Agenda for Systems Change (LASC) Toolkit 2.0 to address a complex public health challenge in its community.
This session features a real-world case study from Amanda Mehl, Public Health Administrator for the Boone County Health Department, who will share her experience identifying and framing a public health challenge, engaging partners and community members, applying systems thinking approaches and LASC tools and implementing strategies to support long-term change. Participants will gain insight into the successes, challenges, lessons learned and opportunities that emerged throughout the process.
The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A, providing attendees the opportunity to ask questions about both the LASC Toolkit 2.0 and Boone County's experience applying systems change approaches in practice.
Date: October 1, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT | 1:00-2:00 PM ET
Cost: Free
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Course Spotlight:
Heat-Related Illness:
Risk Factors, Types & Prevention
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Course Description:
In this course, participants will learn about heat stress and heat-related illness. They will learn how to identify vulnerable populations, associated risk factors, and the different forms of heat-related illness, including signs and symptoms, predisposing factors, and recommended first aid for each form of illness. Participants will also learn how to prevent heat stress and
heat-related illness.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how heat stress can lead to heat-related illness
- Distinguish between the different types of heat-related illness
- Understand how to prevent heat stress and heat-related illness
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Featured Course Bundle:
Bioterrorism Preparedness (BP)
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Course Bundle Description:
The Bioterrorism Preparedness (BP) course bundle provides comprehensive training on bioterrorism preparedness, the potential public health threats posed by biological agents and strategies for effective response. Designed for public health and emergency response professionals, this five-course bundle strengthens learners’ knowledge and preparedness to
recognize, respond to and manage bioterrorism-related events.
Trainings in this course bundle include:
- Biological Response Preparedness for Emergency Medical Services
- Bioterrorism: The Public Health Threat
- Mass Casualty Incident Triage
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Looking for more training on a specific topic in public health? Need additional training on a current public health hot topic? We want to help you address these needs.
Please fill out this brief survey. The survey is three questions long and takes fewer than 3 minutes to complete, on average.
We look forward to your feedback!
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