VYWC Monthly Newsletter

 

07/2026 | Issue 15

 

Next Meeting 08/19! No July Meeting!

Valley Youth Wellness Coalition's next meeting will be 08/19 from 9:00-10:00. We will not be meeting in July due to work conferences and our two community scanning projects.

We will be meeting at the Augusta Health Community Care building 64 Sports Medicine Dr. Fishersville, VA 22939. Park out front, go in through the automatic doors, and make a right to meeting room 3.

Young people Who Say Caregivers are Distracted by Devices Feel Less Secure in Their Relationships

Do you find yourself constantly reaching for your devices, even around family? If so, you are not alone, but youth of this generation are feeling alone.


A new study by Frontiers in Psychology has shown that children whose caregivers spend the majority of the day on smartphones or other electronic devices are experiencing attachment issues and feelings of insecurity.


A survey conducted has shown that youth feel that they are having to compete for their parent or other caregiver's attention with the phone.


Follow the link below to learn how we can break this cycle and give our youth the secure relationships they deserve.

 
 

Some ZYN Nicotine Pouches Can be Marketed as Lower Health Risks, FDA Says

In a shocking move by the FDA, twenty flavored ZYN products are included in the authorization, which says the pouches put users at lower risk for several health problems compared to smoking.


While the nicotine pouches are marketed as a tool to help users quit smoking, it has been shown that many users of pouches such as Zyn are dual users; opting to use pouches instead of smoking or vaping when needing to be discreet or where combustible products are not allowed.


The FDA’s authorization will require Swedish Match USA to study how its customers perceive risks associated with their products for the next five years, and that if there is an increase in kids using the products, the agency could reverse course.

Results from the annual National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS)

The Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey from 2025 has been released, and data is available for the public to view.


Findings include surveys taken studying traditional tobacco product use, as well as e-cigarettes and now nicotine pouch use by both middle and high schoolers.


You can find all the data broken down and analyzed by clicking the link below, and please share this out to help others who work with youth become educated about current trends!

July: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Hosted by NAMI, July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.


Bebe Moore Campbell was a co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and was known for her tireless work championing mental health de-stigmatization and helping raise awareness that mental health struggles impact every kind of person, regardless of race, nationality or ethnicity.


The purpose of this awareness month honored in her name is to continue this work nationwide. Mental health is still ignored and stigmatized throughout numerous cultures, leaving many people feeling alone and shamed in their struggles.


NAMI also educates on their website by saying, "For many communities, entering systems of care where their cultures, languages, and lived experiences are not reflected or respected remains a barrier to accessing care. Join NAMI in celebrating Bebe Moore Campbell’s legacy and mental health across all communities: Attend a Seen. Heard. Understood. event, discover resources designed for your community, and find your local NAMI.".

Screen-Free Summer Activities for Teens

Now that school is out and summer break is here, a lot of parents wonder what they can do to keep their teenager engaged and active. For teens, they often feel like there isn't much for them to do, and screens become the main source of entertainment for the entire summer.


Luckily, there are lots of activities that families can do together and help make the summer full of fun and as screen-free as possible! Quite a few of these suggestions provided by ADDitude magazine are free and great for teens who are neurodivergent too.


Please check out the first link for suggestions for teenagers, and the second link below are screen-free summer activities for your younger children that are provided by Blue Cross NC.


Happy summer!

What to know about Virginia's new marijuana and hemp laws

Virginia's regulated retail marijuana market will open July, 2027 as part of a series of cannabis-related bills that became law this year. Here's what to know.

Training Opportunity: CCOVA Summit September 14-15

Calling all prevention folks across Virginia! You are invited to attend the 2026 CCOVA (Community Coalitions of Virginia) Summit September 14-15! This will be held at Hotel 24 South in Staunton.


This is a great opportunity to come learn about what coalitions are doing for prevention and community driven action, learn new strategies for meaningful change, and network with like-minded individuals who work for a healthier Virginia for all. Keep an eye out for registration soon!

For more information on CCOVA, follow the link!

New Job Opportunities!


The Central Shenandoah Health District office of VDH is seeking a public health nurse! Just some of the job duties include independently providing professional nursing care to patients in clinics, mobile unit, and community-based setting, participating in public health emergencies, community health assessments, coordinating mobile unit operations, partnerships, and program administration. If this sounds like a great fit for you or someone you know, click the button below!

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