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How Humor Can Ease the Stress of COVID-19
We've all heard the popular saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." But does that type of thinking apply to something as serious as a global pandemic? Most psychologists would say yes. Humor helps people take back their sense of power in a powerless situation and it helps them connect with others—two things we have lost during this pandemic.
And although there is nothing particularly funny about what we're going through, science suggests that those funny memes, crazy TikTok videos, and snarky online quotes may be just what we need to ease the overwhelming fear, anxiety, and grief many of us are dealing with on a daily basis.
Even loneliness has become as crushing as the pandemic itself threatening to overwhelm people every day. Clearly, we need something to lighten the stress load we're all experiencing. And humor could be just what the doctor ordered.
Click here to read the full article
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Regional Opioid and Other Drug Prevention and Policy Workgroup |
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Press Release 12/17/20
Overdose Deaths Accelerating
During COVID-19
Expanded Prevention Efforts Needed
Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While overdose deaths were already increasing in the months preceding the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.
“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “As we continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from unintended consequences.”
Synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths, increasing 38.4 percent from the 12-month period leading up to June 2019 compared with the 12-month period leading up to May 2020. Read full press release here.
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Overdose Prevention
To learn more about the who is at risk for overdose, signs of an overdose, and how to administer Narcan or Naloxone to reverse an overdose, please consider attending one of our
Narcan Training Webinars.
Open the flyer to link to registration.
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Drug Free Schools Committee
Resources for Youth, Parents and Families
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Stress in America™ 2020
A National Mental Health Crisis
The American Psychological Association conducts a yearly survey on stress in the United States. The purpose of the survey, which has been conducted since 2007, is to learn about the sources and intensity of stress. and the response to stress among adults and children in America.
"Our 2020 survey is different. It reveals that Americans have been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the external factors Americans have listed in previous years as significant sources of stress remain present and problematic. These compounding stressors are having real consequences on our minds and bodies.
It is the unusual combination of these factors and the persistent drumbeat of a crisis that shows no sign of abating that is leading APA to sound the alarm: We are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come."
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Click here to read the full press release which includes a link to the full report of the 2020 survey results, and tips for how to support teens and young adults.
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Our next Teen and Parent Program:
The Power of Excercise
Sign up today!
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The CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Servies launched
Adult Crisis Telephone Intervention and Options Network (ACTION) line for adults 18 and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional crisis for which an immediate response may be required. The ACTION line is a centralized phone number answered by 2-1-1 staff trained to offer an array of supports and options to individuals in distress, including telephonic support; referrals and information about community resources and services; warm-transfer to the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) of their area; and, when necessary, direct connection to 911. Read full press release here
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Our Local Prevention Councils and other community organizations can access ACTION line promotional materials like the poster example here, on the United Way Website.
Materials are available for download or can be ordered. They are available in both English and Spanish.
For more information on DMHAS crisis services, click here
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Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board |
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LGBTQ Mental Health
and Suicide Prevention
Survey data suggest that individuals who identify as LGBT are at greater risk for suicide attempts. AFSP has resources dedicated to raising awareness around the mental health concerns and suicide risk in this population.
Click here to learn more.
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Question Persuade Refer
Suicide Prevention
Upcoming QPR Training Webinars:
We have openings tomorrow, Friday 1/8 at 11:00 a.m.
Our next training is Friday January 29th at 11:00 a.m.
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Dry January- A Movement
According to the market research company YouGov, Nearly one-quarter (23%) of Americans recently reported that they had plans to participate in “Dry January,” where people abstain from drinking alcohol for the month of January, generally in an effort to improve health.
Chrissy Tiegen recently shared her personal story of why she quit drinking and how the book "Quit Like a Woman" by Holly Whitaker helped her.
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Here are some support resources for support those who want to quit or cut back on alcohol: |
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Try Dry App
Try Dry is the easy to use, free app that each year helps thousands of people to drink more healthily. Try Dry is the only app brought to you by the official charity of Dry January, Alcohol Change UK.
Whether you’re taking on Dry January, or cutting down longer-term, the app is your year-round support system.
(look for it in the Apple App store or Google Play store)
Rethinking Drinking from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has great resources ranging from an alcohol calorie counter to "what counts as a drink". They provide research-based information so individuals can examine their drinking habits.
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Problem Gambling Awareness |
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Problem Gambling CEUs!
Are you working towards your Prevention Specialist Certification or your Certificate of Competency in Problem Gambling?
DMHAS Problem Gambling Services is offering a Free Three Hour Webinar:
Overview of Problem Gambling
Thursday, February 11, 2021, 9am-12pm
Educational Objectives
- Describe the progression of gambling from recreational to disordered gambling
- Discuss two (2) features in gaming that resemble gambling;
- Identify three (3) resources in my community that are gambling-informed.
Presenters:
Jeremy Wampler, LCSW, LADC, ICGC-II, BACC, Behavioral Health Clinical Manager / Director, DMHAS, Problem Gambling Services
Fiorigio (Fred) Fetta, LPC, ICGC-II, BACC, AADC, Associate Professional Counselor / Clinical Director, DMHAS, Problem Gambling Services
Stephen Matos, RSS, ICGC-II, Bettor Choice Peer Counselor, MCCA
Three Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) CEUs will be provided for attending the training and completing the evaluation. Three National Association of Social Worker (NASW) CEUs are pending approval.
If you are interested in attending this webinar, please RSVP to Ellen Cipolla at Ellen.Cipolla@ct.gov
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40 Developmental Assets Framework |
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The Developmental Assets® are 40 research-based, positive experiences and qualities that influence young people’s development, helping them become caring, responsible, and productive adults.
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External Asset #7 which falls under "Empowerment"
Young people need to feel valued and valuable.
This happens when youth feel safe and respected.
Community Values Youth- Young person perceives that adults in the community value youth
Its important to create an environment in which adults take time to listen to young people, spend time with them, and give credit to their opinions. Everyone deserves a voice. Young people have great ideas and opinions.
How do we build this asset?
- Ask young people what they think
- Ask for their input on when decisions are being made, especially if they will be effected. This can be as simple as let them decide "what's for dinner?"
- Engage young people in school and community programs. Offer them leadership opportinitues
- And most importantly, listen to what they have to say
The 40 Developmental Assets® may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial uses only. Copyright ©1997 Search Institute®, 3001 Broadway Street NE, Suite 310, Minneapolis MN 55413; 800-888-7828; www.searchinstitute.org. All rights reserved.
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The town of New Milford is designated a
Recovery Friendly Community
New Milford has publicly declared itself “recovery-friendly,” a term coining its efforts to help vulnerable populations get the help they need.
Town council member Katy Francis — treasurer of New Milford’s Coalition for Awareness and New Beginnings (NMCAN) — brought the idea to the council, unanimously supporting a resolution.
Mayor Pete Bass says the declaration signifies the town’s commitment to helping people reach the necessary resources to combat addiction in its many forms.
“It basically just is the commitment from the town that we will work with our private partners, non-profits, hospitals, medical staff, all to work and try and make a better outcome for those who are addicted and have the ability to get treatment and mitigate the disease,” Bass said.
Being “recovery-friendly” means the town has to ensure certain resources — housing, treatment centers, employment services, counseling and educational programs — are available to those suffering from addiction.
Francis said New Milford was already in a “unique” position to be recovery-friendly because it had most of the required resources — including three recovery facilities and a liaison — to become a recovery town.
To learn more about how to bring this initiative to your community, contact us!
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