The Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (MCSAP) is inviting all community members to a memorial event to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. The event will remember those lost to overdose, support individuals and families coping with substance abuse and grief, and explore how to prevent overdose from claiming another life.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness month, a time to raise awareness on the topic of suicide in our communities. Untreated mental health issues can lead to suicidal thoughts or even actions. This month it is important to utilize resources and conversations that address the topic of mental health and suicide. Organizations like Prevent Suicide Wisconsin will be taking action to offer resources, events and other types of activities in honor of Suicide Prevention Month. If you know about any partners hosting events during the month of September on the topic, please email them to psw@mhawisconsin.org or visit their website by clicking here.

Join panelists as they discuss experiences of multiple recovery and prevention communities and provide models of successful community-based programs working within the intersection of prevention and recovery. This panel will stimulate discussion and highlight practical approaches that are applicable to communities across the nation. Join this event via Zoom on Tuesday, August 31, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Click here to register.

Milwaukee County’s Healthy Start will be providing a Prenatal Resource Fair on Friday, September 3, from 12-4 p.m. This amazing event is for pregnant moms in Milwaukee County and their child’s father or male partner. There will be activities for kids, food and treats, giveaways and raffles. Location will be at COA Goldin Center, 2320 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee. Advance registration is required; click here to register.

This year, the Karen Avery Forum will identify opportunities to address substance use disorders as a public health concern and normalize harm reduction strategies. Presentations of best practices and effective and non-stigmatizing treatment options in Milwaukee will be shared. This forum is a great opportunity to celebrate recovery, end stigma, and embrace now possibilities. Tune in virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, September 14, from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. To register, click here.

Auer Avenue Community School, 2319 W. Auer Ave., is the site of this resource fair, which will offer free COVID-19 vaccinations and immunizations, backpack and school supply giveaways for Auer students, and many more resources. Stop by between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. to get connected.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Care and Treatment Services has received a 988 State planning grant to work on preparing for implementation of a three-digit calling code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Additional stakeholders for 988 have been discussing opportunities and challenges the implementation could bring to the mental health continuum in Wisconsin. If you are interested in this conversation, you can join the virtual meeting that will be held on Wednesday, September 15, from 1-3 p.m. To register, click here.

The National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC/PTTC/ATTC is hosting the 2021 National Latino Behavioral Health Virtual Conference. The conference will focus on behavioral health in Latino and Hispanic communities. There will be networking and discussions between professionals from the prevention, treatment, recovery, and research fields. The conference will be held on September 16-17. To register, click here.

With the theme of Stronger Together: Thriving in the New Normal, the Crisis Intervention Conference gives like-minded people who are directly involved with delivering crisis services an opportunity to share knowledge, ideas, and support. This conference, to be held on Zoom, is intended for 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. Early bird registration ends August 31. Click here for details.

Eliminating racism is an ongoing process that involves a willingness to learn about, and begin undoing, the adverse impact of racism on individuals, organizations, and communities. Unlearning Racism: Tools for Action©, YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin’s six-part, 24-hour education series, gives participants the opportunity to learn about the impact, history and manifestations of racism and whiteness, and addressing racism in one’s own life. You are invited to make a personal commitment to the emotional and heart work needed to address racism. It will be held on six Tuesdays, beginning September 21, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Get details and register at this link.

In order to address racism, in all the places where we witness its oppressive power, we need people who understand it, can address it and challenge it. This six-part, 12-hour course from YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin, is designed to help you grow your ability to discuss race and racism in everyday conversations. We invite you to join us and learn from our instructors, both white and of color, who will lead the program. It will be held on six Thursdays beginning October 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Click here for details and to register.

This year’s conference acknowledges the tremendous stress and trauma that our or infant and early childhood professionals who work in multiple systems and across all disciplines have endured and survived throughout the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will be held virtually and participants can watch recordings of presentations if they are unable to attend all sessions. Registration is open now. Click here for details.

The state Department of Health Services has updated its partner resources page for its Small Talks campaign, which helps adults talk to youth about drinking. Get the materials at this link.