Volume 03 | April 15, 2020

Your Weekly News & Updates

Hello colleagues, committee members, volunteers, and friends! We hope this newsletter finds you and your family well. The coronavirus and COVID-19 disease has dramatically changed everyone's lives. Our staff have been working remotely since March 16th. We are thankful for our good health and that of our families. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering during this difficult time and we thank our healthcare workers who risk their safety for the sake of caring for others. Much of our work revolves around being personally connected to all of you and to those we serve in the 43 towns within region 5. We hope this weekly update will help to keep us all connected- with news and resources to share. We will be sending one out every Wednesday. We welcome any feedback. Be well and stay safe.

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It's Not all Bad.... Like at this home in New Preston, so many people are displaying hearts in windows or on their property as an expression of gratitude for healthcare workers who are risking their own lives to care for others right now.

Lots of folks are putting their sewing talents to good use fashioning masks to protect themselves and their loved ones. These were made by Dr. Patrice Gillottii of Physician's for Women, Danbury. It is recommended by the CDC that everyone where a mask when out in public. Stay safe!

New Fairfield/Sherman- The Candlewood League of Artists is sponsoring a community art project- sign out a free 8 x 10 canvas and create a drawing or painting to be submitted and later displayed at an artshow. For more information, visit the CLA web page Bethel- The Giggling Pig is offering free online art classes. Visit their website or follow them on Facebook for more details. click here

Regional Opioid Prevention Policy Workgroup Necessity is the mother of invention..... Telemedicine, telehealth and teletherapy are becoming more broadly available and are part of the new normal as treatment professionals and those in recovery cope with the challenges of COVID19. On-going Medication Assisted Treatment is being conducted through 2-way video and over the phone. While some treatment providers report decreases in the number of people seeking services, other facilities have not experienced any slowdown. Intensive out-patient programs and group therapy are adapting well to their "virtual" settings and community partners, like WCTC, are helping to spread the word about new and accessible treatment and recovery supports. If you have information about prevention and treatment innovations , please share them with us. Check our website for some of these opportunities

Drug Free Schools Committee Our area teens are facing challenges right now- learning to adapt to online only learning, isolating from their school-mates and friends, and grieving the loss of many of the traditions and rites of passage of high school- sports, plays, proms and maybe even graduation. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some good resources for parents to help their teens cope. Click on their logo here to link to the web page ‌

Catchment Area Councils- Catchment Area 21 will be holding their April meeting online, no presentation this month. We will share news from the meeting in the WCTC newsletter next week! Please follow the link below for FREE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DMHAS/COVID-19/Resources/MHTTC__Coronavirus-Infographic-States-CT.pdf?la=en

Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty Right now, we may feel helpless about what will happen or what we can do. When things feel uncertain or when we don’t generally feel safe, it’s normal to feel stressed. If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty: Separate what is in your control from what is not. Do what helps you feel a sense of safety. Get outside in nature--even if you are avoiding crowds. Challenge yourself to stay in the present. Stay connected and reach out if you need more support. To learn more, CLICK HERE

If you’re feeling alone and struggling, you can reach out the CrisisText Line by texting CT to 741-741 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Local Prevention Councils We've been hearing about creative action steps and projects that coalitions can do during this time of social distancing. Here are a few ideas: Since there is no DEA Take Back Day this month, consider distributing disposal bags like Deterra to homes through Food Bank pick-ups or Meals on Wheels. Purchase a radio or TV ad to get a message out to families while everyone is home. Collaborate with your school district health teachers to introduce an online curriculum for substance misuse prevention.

Problem Gambling Awareness According to Statista.com , a total of 4.3 million games were sold worldwide from March 16 to March 22. This 63 percent total increase from the previous week is, in part, due to the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo. However, like-for-like game sales also increased by 44 percent , suggesting that many people were turning to video gaming to keep them entertained through the crisis. The CT Council on Problem Gambling created this info-graphic "Warning Signs of a Gaming Disorder":  Our Partners: (logos link to web pages)

Community Partners