Issue 11-17| August 22, 2022
News
MCSAP International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event
Wednesday, August 31
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.

"The opioid crisis has left a mark on Milwaukee County in the struggles of people who currently are living with a substance use disorder, plus the grief and trauma of friends and family members of people who have overdosed or are misusing substances," said MCSAP Chair Aaron Lipski, Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department. "We want to recognize their experiences and provide them with an opportunity to honor their loved ones, connect with services and resources, and give them hope for the future."

MCSAP’s International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31, at the Humboldt Park Bandshell, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. All are welcome to attend this free community event with free food provided by Neu-Life Community Development’s Farmfork, an urban agriculture and culinary arts program for youth. There will be memorialization activities, speakers, naloxone administration training, and an open mic.

An interactive highlight this year is the City of Milwaukee’s Community Memorial Tree, which gives friends and families the ability to honor their lost loved ones as part of an art installation that will live in City Hall. MCSAP’s event is one of three locations that will host the Community Memorial Tree on August 31, and friends and family members are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. 

A resource fair will feature partnering organizations BMO Harris Bank, CleanSlate Medical Group, Community Advocates, Community Medical Services, Gateway Foundation, Goal Chasers 2020 LLC, Milwaukee Fire Department, Rogers Behavioral Health, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Street Angels, Vivent Health, and Wraparound Milwaukee, just to name a few.

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

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
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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.
Friday Night Rivals is Back!
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.
Milwaukee Market Match 2022
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.
Webinars & Events
Back-to-School Bash
Wednesday, August 24
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 and Youth Advocacy Training
Wednesday, August 24
As part of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) 2022 Youth Advocacy Tour, the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network, Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention & Poverty Network, and Suburban Milwaukee Tobacco Prevention are inviting community members to a Community Dinner on Wednesday, August 24 (5:30-8 p.m.), which will feature a celebration of Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, as well as other Community Champions! They are also seeking youths ages 14-17 to participate in the CTFK's Youth Advocacy Training the following day as well as attend the dinner with their families.

Please register to attend the dinner and if you know of youth leaders who would like to participate in the training please have them register today! Milwaukee is just one of five stops of the national Take Down Tobacco Youth Advocacy Tour in 2022.
 
From Preparation to Legalization:
Creating Cannabis Campaigns in the Midst of the
Youth Mental Health Crisis
Wednesday, August 24
Join the Rescue Agency’s new complimentary webinar as they share their lessons learned from launching youth cannabis education campaigns in states across the country. Whether your state has already legalized cannabis or is preparing for legalization, you’ll leave with valuable research insights and messaging strategies for educating youth on the risk of using cannabis to prevent initiation of use.

Learning objectives include:
  • Understanding which teens are most susceptible and at increased risk for cannabis use
  • Avoiding common missteps in developing new cannabis prevention efforts in your community
  • Tailoring your communications to be credible and empathetic in the midst of the youth mental health crisis

An encore presentation of this session will be offered at 12:30 p.m. on August 24.
Beyond the Bookbag 2022
Friday, August 26
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.
Girls and Women:
Substance Misuse Trends and Prevention Strategies
Tuesday, August 30
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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.
Virtual QPR Question, Persuade, Refer Training
August 31 & September 8, 15, 19, 27, 28 & 29
Community Advocates is offering QPR Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper workshops to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.

Community Advocates will offer this introductory session via Zoom on August 31 and September 8, 15, 19, 27, 28, and 29. To register, click on our online calendar.
Virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid
Tuesday, September 6 & Tuesday, September 20
Community Advocates is offering Adult Mental Health First Aid workshops to help participants to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Community Advocates will offer this introductory session via Zoom. To register, click on the links below:

10 Tips to Reduce Conflict:
Practical Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
Thursday, September 8
Community Advocates is offering a virtual De-Escalation Techniques training to teach participants how to defuse a situation and increase safety using verbal de-escalation techniques. This workshop is aimed toward individuals who encounter conflict in the workplace, at home, or in the community, whether you are a parent or educator, work in the helping professions, or otherwise work with the public in potentially tense situations.

Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid
Friday, September 9 & Friday, September 23
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.

A Summer of Healing
Saturday, September 10
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.
Behavioral Health Providers Lunch ‘n Learn
Wednesday, September 14
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.
26th Annual Wisconsin Crisis Intervention Conference
Thursday, September 15 & Friday, September 16
The Crisis Intervention Conference gives like-minded people who are directly involved with delivering crisis services an opportunity to share knowledge, ideas, and support. Consumers and family members, administrators, front-line workers, and community professionals involved in crisis intervention from the following areas: Court Personnel, Emergency Services Personnel and Faculty Personnel, Hospital Personnel, Jail Personnel, Law Enforcement, Mental Health Professionals, Nursing Professionals, Mental Health, Jail and School Nurses, School Administrators, Social Workers, and Substance Abuse Professionals. This conference will be held September 15 and 16 at Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, with a virtual option. Click here for conference and registration details
Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Conference
Care for Self, Care for Others: Building Resilient Communities
Preconference October 19; Conference October 20-21
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center
Wisconsin Dells
You are invited to join Wisconsin Department of Health Services in person or virtually for the Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Conference. This is Wisconsin's largest annual event focused on the full range of behavioral health care and supports—prevention, harm reduction, intervention, treatment, and recovery services.

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.
Resources
Updated Mental Health & Wellness Resource Guide
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.
HealtheKnowledge
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.
Recursos en español
31 Formas de Trabajar en Su Bienestar
De Mental Health America, aquí hay algunos consejos sobre cómo cuidar tus emociones y tu salud mental. Clic aquí para saber más.
Family Resources
Back to School Toolkits
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.
Small Talks: How WI Prevents Underage Drinking
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.
Job Opportunities
Milwaukee Prevention Journal Readers -- do you have:

  • Job openings?
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Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net. Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!
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