Seeking to provide a safe, healing place for friends and families who have lost a loved one to overdose, the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition (MCSAP) is hosting a community gathering to mark International Overdose Awareness Day through a Memorial Event on Wednesday, August 31. An unprecedented 643 individuals died as a result of overdose in Milwaukee County in 2021, driven by the lethality of drugs available in the community and across the country. At this event, MCSAP hopes to memorialize and grieve the individuals lost, as well as provide healing and hope to those left behind, including overdose survivors.

Interested in volunteering? Email Gloria at gmarfo@communityadvocates.net.

RSVPs are appreciated but not required here.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, observed in September, aims to foster and destigmatize conversations around suicide and promote access to services and resources.

This year, Community Advocates is offering six opportunities to attend QPR Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training to teach helpful techniques on how to talk to someone who may be thinking of harming themselves and providing a pathway to help. These trainings will be held on September 8, 15, 19, 27, 28, and 29. You can find our full September calendar with all of our Mental Health and Wellness workshops at this link. Contact Rita at rliesiefsky@communityadvocates.net if you would like to schedule a workshop for your organization.

In addition, NAMI is offering Suicide Prevention Awareness Month resources and their "Together for Mental Health" campaign and more on their website.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is proud to be part of my24’s Friday Night Rivals High School Football programming this fall. The season will run through October 14 with a lot of great match-ups of regional football teams. Look for a community partner doing outreach at each game, plus an on-screen interview for those watching at home or streaming wherever you are.

Got EBT? Get FREE fruits and veggies with Milwaukee Market Match! Buy $1 with your QUEST card, get $1 of free produce!

¿Usas EBT? ¡Obtén tus frutas y vegetales GRATUITOS con Milwaukee Market Match! Con $1 de compras en la tarjeta QUEST → Te ganarás $1 más de productos agrícolas GRATUITOS.

Tau EBT? Tau txiv hmab txiv ntoo thiab zaub DAWB nrog Milwaukee Market Match! Yuav $1 yam siv daim npav tshum nyiaj QUEST → Tau zaub DAWB muaj nqis $1.

Wellpoint Care Network is hosting a Back-to-School Bash from 2 to 6 p.m. on August 24, at 8901 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee. The fun includes free supplies, haircuts, a book fair, a DJ, face painting, free food, bounce houses, and the Wellpoint Giveaway Van. Get details and sign up at this link.

Community Dinner Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-community-dinner-tickets-401280309207

Youth Training Registration: TAKEDOWNTOBACCO.ORG/ 2022-YOUTH-TOUR-REGISTRATION

An encore presentation of this session will be offered at 12:30 p.m. on August 24.

The name says it all! Beyond the Bookbag 2022 is more than just backpacks: join COA Youth & Family Centers, Children’s Wisconsin, and Advocate Health Care for free food, school supplies, sports physicals, COVID vaccines, and everything else your kids need to be prepared for the school year. Tamika from the 53206 Drug Free Communities Project will be there too. It will be held from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on August 26 at COA Goldin Center, 2320 W. Burleigh St. Register now to attend.

Data now show that girls and young women, ages 12 to 20, are drinking more alcohol than their male counterparts. There are some key considerations that prevention specialists should know as they design strategies to curb harmful drinking behaviors among girls, such as the association between underage drinking and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. This webinar from Great Lakes PTTC will highlight strategies for coupling prevention approaches with mental health support. It will be held from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on August 30. RSVP here.

Community Advocates is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid workshops to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.

The City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention is offering the Summer of Healing initiative in which you can learn about community resources, holistic healing practices, cultural practices and self-defense techniques. This program will also have activities and prizes for youth and teens. The next program will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, at Kosciuszko Park, 2201 S. 7th St., Milwaukee. If you are interested in attending and have any additional questions, reach out to the Office of Violence Prevention through Facebook by clicking here.

This interactive meeting will highlight the importance of commercial tobacco treatment in your behavioral health practice. Learn from Behavioral Health Providers throughout Wisconsin who have successfully implemented commercial tobacco treatment. It will be held from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on September 14. Get details and RSVP here.

This year's event features two keynote sessions and 39 workshops. The hotel room block at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center is now open. It closes September 19. See the full schedule and information on registration fees at this link.

Community Advocates has updated its Milwaukee County Mental Health & Wellness Resource Guide to expand resources for and by People of Color. You can download it here.

Free online courses and low-cost continuing education for health and behavioral health professionals are available on this site. You can sign up for classes on substance misuse prevention, mental health services, SBIRT, opioid use disorder treatment, and more.

De Mental Health America, aquí hay algunos consejos sobre cómo cuidar tus emociones y tu salud mental. Clic aquí para saber más.

These resources from Mental Health America look at the issues young people face that are having an impact on their mental health and offer tips on how to deal with these issues and the resulting emotions. The MHA toolkit can also help parents and school personnel better understand the issues, such as the effects of social media on youth mental health and how to be supportive. Download the English version here. Descarga “De Vuelta A La Escuela 2021.”

Underage drinking is a real problem in Wisconsin, and it starts earlier and can be more dangerous than you might think. But parents, loved ones, and other caring adults can make a real difference. All you have to do is talk. That’s right. Having small, casual conversations with kids, starting around age 8, can help prevent underage drinking. Learn more about Small Talks at this link.