|
In this Issue:
- News
- Events & Webinars
- Community Resources
- Los Recursos Familial en Español
- Family Resources in English
- Job Opportunities
| | Spotlight On: Overdose Does Not Discriminate | | |
International Overdose Awareness Day is observed every August 31, a day set aside to remember those we've lost to drug overdoses, uplift survivors of overdose, and to encourage action to prevent more deaths. We must, first and foremost, address stigma, which can impact someone’s willingness to get help for their drug use.
On International Overdose Awareness Day, let’s honor those we’ve lost by working to remove the barriers causing suffering and isolation. Every life matters, every story matters, and together, we can turn awareness into lasting change.
| | Share Your News in the Prevention Journal | | |
Calling all Community Partners: Do you have upcoming events, news to share, or job openings? Email the information to prevention@communityadvocates.net to be featured in upcoming Prevention Journals sent to over 1,000 friends, colleagues, and social service providers every other week.
| | Back to School with Mental Health in Mind | |
Mental Health America has launched a new Back to School with Mental Health in Mind webpage to support students heading back to school. As the school year begins, students and families face a mix of excitement, pressure, and uncertainty. The page directs students and caregivers to articles about common issues and concerns that arise as a new school year begins. The webpage also includes printable handouts about depression, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, and suicide prevention.
| | Wisconsin Suicide and Self-Harm Data Dashboards Have Been Updated | |
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently updated two key data tools: the Suicide in Wisconsin Dashboard and the Self-Harm Data Dashboard. Together, these dashboards provide a comprehensive picture of both suicide deaths and nonfatal self-harm injuries across the state, helping communities, policymakers, prevention professionals, and educators better understand and respond to the ongoing public health crisis.
These interactive tools are vital resources for tailoring prevention efforts, identifying at-risk groups, and understanding the broader social and structural factors like economic hardship, discrimination, and stigma that contribute to suicide and self-harm risks in Wisconsin. By offering accessible, data-driven insights, DHS is equipping communities with the information they need to take action and save lives.
| | |
Harm Reduction through a Prevention Lens: Working Together to Promote Healthy Communities
Tuesday, July 29
| | |
The New England Prevention Technology Center Network (PTTC) is hosting a webinar on Harm Reduction through a Prevention Lens. This presentation will include an overview of why harm reduction works, best practices for using harm reduction approaches, and how harm reduction can be effectively paired with prevention efforts to minimize the impact of addiction for both individuals and communities.
The webinar is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on July 29.
| | |
Youth March Against Gun Violence
Wednesday, July 30
| | |
The Amani Youth Council will host a Youth March Against Gun Violence and this year it will be held in honor of fallen MPD Officer Kendall Corder. Come support the youth in our community as they plead for peace in their neighborhood. Join Amani United for the youth-led march, guest speakers and an open mic for those who want to speak on gun violence. Afterward, come together in fellowship to enjoy fun games, activities, resources, and free food.
The event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. at the corner of North 24th Street and West Garfield Avenue. For more information, contact the Amani Youth Council.
| | |
Zero Youth Corrections - Insights into the Work of Reimagining Youth Justice
Wednesday, July 30
| | |
The Zero Youth Corrections Initiative is an innovative collaboration between Milwaukee County’s Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), Children, Youth & Family Services (CYFS), the Milwaukee Turners, and Public Welfare Foundation. This forum will highlight the Round 2 grantees, Paradigm Shyft and Pathfinders. They will discuss their experiences during the grant period, including their successes and impact, lessons learned, and the next steps for these organizations – and for the Zero Youth Corrections Initiative in Milwaukee.
The event is scheduled from 5:50 to 7:30 p.m. at Turner Hall, 1034 North Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee.
| | |
Financial Foundations Workshop:
Presented by UW-Madison Extension Milwaukee County
Thursday, July 31
| | |
Take control of your finances starting now! Join Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center for a Community Day Event workshop designed to help renters manage money, build credit, and plan for a more secure future. Attendees will learn practical tips on budgeting, banking, and credit in a supportive, judgment-free space.
The Financial Foundations Workshop, presented by UW-Madison Extension Milwaukee County, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 31 at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee.
| | |
Great Lakes Motivational Interviewing Conference
Wednesday, August 6 - Friday, August 8
| | |
The Great Lakes Motivational Interviewing Conference is for any helping professional who works directly with clients who are reluctant to change their attitudes, behaviors and/or thoughts. This training experience will describe the purpose, benefits, and limitations of Motivational Interviewing, identify key concepts, attitudes, processes, skills and strategies of Motivational Interviewing, identify best practices for using Motivational Interviewing across professions, describe how Motivational Interviewing can be used as part of an interprofessional team, and plan how to incorporate Motivational Interviewing skills into your professional practice.
The conference will be held at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., Madison.
| | |
QPR Question Persuade Refer Suicide Prevention Training
Tuesday, August 12
| | |
We can all save lives.
The QPR mission is 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.
This interactive introduction to suicide awareness and prevention is scheduled from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12. The training is hosted by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and is free and open to all.
| | |
Resilience and Thriving: The Secret Power of Stress
Thursday, August 14
| | |
How well do you cope with stress? And can stress ever be good for you? Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is offering Resilience and Thriving, a two-hour webinar in which participants will be able to identify early warning signs of stress, types of stress, and effects of stress. Participants will learn specific skills to cope well with and thrive from stress, and understand positive and negative coping styles, plus their personal coping style! This session is open to everyone and is offered free of charge.
This session is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 14.
| | |
Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
Tuesday, August 19
| | |
During this virtual workshop, you will learn how to increase safety by utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore foundational information on how to reduce the level of conflict through self-knowledge, understand how past experiences influence current behavior, and practice de-escalation.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute is hosting two sessions on Tuesday, August 19:
- 10 - 11:30 a.m.
- 1 - 2:30 p.m.
| | |
ECOM Workshop: Job Services, Financial Literacy, and GED
Wednesday, August 20
| | |
The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly gathering of social services professionals, advocates, and consumers organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. ECOM explores topics that are vital to Milwaukee’s human services professionals. Each session features multiple presentations from experts and opportunities to share resources.
This month’s topic is Job Services, Financial Literacy, and GED and will be held in person from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon on August 20. Location TBD.
Fee is $5 for light refreshments and materials and can be paid via credit card. Registrations are not refundable. Kindly make sure to RSVP by Friday, August 15.
| | |
Advanced Prevention Training: Making the Case for Prevention
Tuesday, August 21
| | |
Being able to communicate the value of prevention is essential to building support and partnerships for our work. Advanced prevention professionals are well-positioned to leverage their experience and knowledge to make a compelling case for prevention to community partners, leaders, and policy makers.
This 2-hour sessions hosted by Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network (PTTC), will focus on how prevention providers can effectively communicate the value of prevention to a variety of audiences. The training will blend training content, practice, and peer sharing.
The virtual training is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on August 21.
| | |
2025 Suicide Prevention Summit for Mental Health Professionals
Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24
| | |
The Mental Health Academy, in partnership with organizations such as the American Association of Suicidology, ACA, NBCC, and CCPA, is presenting its 2025 Suicide Prevention Summit. The On-Demand summit is an international, evidence-based event designed for clinicians and helping professionals. The conference offers over ten hours of expert-led education focused on culturally-informed strategies and risk identification aimed at reducing suicide risk.
Attendees will interact with presenters through live Q&A sessions, learn clinical strategies to support a broad mix of client populations, learn directly from leading internationally-renowned speakers, and learn valuable strategies and insights to support clients at risk of suicide.
The 2025 Suicide Prevention Summit will be delivered via 10 live webinar sessions from Saturday, August 23 to Sunday, August 24.
| | |
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Tuesday, August 26
| | |
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training, hosted by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, provides adults with the tools to assist other adults who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a crisis. It teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training delivered by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may need help connecting to appropriate care.
This training will be held via Zoom from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on August 26. Please register by August 19.
| | |
Public Health in Practice Registration Now Open
Monday, September 29 and Tuesday, September 30
| | |
The Wisconsin Public Health Association (WPHA) Public Health in Practice (PHIP) Conference will be held September 29-30 at the Holiday Inn Stevens Point Convention Center. The conference is geared for community health partners and professionals working in both governmental and non-governmental public health positions. Attendees will walk away with specific skills and usable tools to execute strategies to improve community or workplace health through systems change thinking, evidence-based practices and capacity building.
Public Health in Practice Call for Presentations Now Available
Session presentations should focus on “how” examples, not “what” examples, sharing actual tools being used and impact desired/being seen in the community. Sessions should also allow for time to have dialogue and peer learning/sharing. The conference theme is Leading Boldly for Impact: Strategies to Navigate Change in Evolving Times.
| | |
The Better Ways to Cope Conference
Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11
| | |
The Better Ways to Cope Conference is powered by the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. This event will feature coping experiences that increase Milwaukee County residents’ ability to deal effectively with life’s challenges. Experts, healers, educators, and businesses will immerse residents in experiences that help them achieve greater mindfulness, a deep sense of well-being, and continue their journey toward a dependency-free life.
Registration is free and includes breakfast and lunch, youth (12-17) and adults are invited to participate in all activities, and attendees can register to attend one or both days.
| | |
Hey, there,
-- do you have:
-
Job openings?
- Upcoming events?
- News to share?
- Suggestions?
Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net.
Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!
| | |
MHA BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit
Mental Health America's 2025 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit provides free, practical resources to help navigate mental health stigma, bridge generational differences, dismantle mental health myths, and encourage meaningful conversations, especially during July, National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Download the toolkit here.
| | |
Setting Boundaries with Alcohol and Other Drugs
RISE Drug Free MKE's Setting Boundaries with Alcohol and Other Drugs Toolkitis a helpful guide to navigating your relationship with substances. With information about alcohol, commercial tobacco, marijuana, prescription medications, and more, we hope to empower you with the knowledge and tools to make healthy and educated decisions. It provides tips and examples that can help you set boundaries with alcohol and other drugs. Click here to learn more.
| | Los Recursos Familial en Español | | |
ALAS (Alianza Latina Aplicando Soluciones)
ALAS es una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a promover la independencia de las familias de niños y jóvenes con diversas capacidades en Milwaukee brindando talleres educativos, grupos de apoyo para padres, eventos familiares, actividades de desarrollo comunitario y referencias de servicios, entre otros servicios y apoyos. Descárgalo aquí.
| | |
El Poder de los Abuelos
Los abuelos desempeñan un papel importante y pueden ayudar a que sus nietos se abstengan de consumir drogas y alcohol. Descubra cómo comunicarse mejor con su nieto adolescente; informese sobre las drogas recientes; y descubra cómo puede ayudar a mantener a su nieto saludable. Descargar PDF.
| | |
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Family Support Groups
NAMI Southeast Wisconsin has a number of free peer-led support groups for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with a mental health condition. They offer in-person and virtual options. Click here for more information.
| | |
Think a Family Member Has a Substance Use Disorder?
Talking about substance use is not easy, but it can encourage your loved one to seek help. The Family Drama video from SAMHSA encourages families to talk directly with their loved ones about concerns over substance use. Watch the 30-second video here.
| | |
Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery
Are you worried about your drinking or other drug use? You aren’t alone. The Positive Options for Women Entering Recovery (POWER) is here to help. The Milwaukee Women’s Center’s POWER provides FREE day treatment for women struggling with alcohol and other drug issues. Click here to learn more or call 414-270-4600 to get help.
| | | | |
