NEWSLETTER
July, 2020
Gregg Raduka, Ph.D. LPC, ICPS | July 06, 2020
As the diagram shows, COVID-19 1, anxiety and depression, and unemployment2 have all been shown to contribute to substance abuse and suicide. And increases in substance abuse also contribute to increases in the rate of suicide.3
Per the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “There are 57.8 million Americans living with mental and/or substance use disorders (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018).
Madison Foster | July 06, 2020
In the world today teens deal with several stressors and pressures that lead them to use and abuse substances. The competitive nature of school and social media and the glamorization of drugs and alcohol all contribute to teen substance abuse.
The youth voice is important because we are the future. All of the decisions being made now will affect us later in life so it is important that youth are aware and active in advocacy. Our generation has been raised on technology.
July 06, 2020
The bill of most importance to the GA Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in the Georgia General Assembly’s 2020 Session was the “Youth Mental Health Protection Act” (HB 580). The bill did not pass out of the House before Crossover Day in March and so could not be passed during the 2020 session. However, the GA Chapter will advocate for the bill again before and during the 2021 session (January-March, 2021).
Legislature Adjourns for 2020
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned its 2020 session on June 26. Notable during this session was a 10% budget cut to all state departments including DBHDD due to state revenue shortfalls and the COVID-19 pandemic.
SB 375 sponsored by Sen. Jeff Mullis was passed, preventing the sale of tobacco or vaping products to anyone under 21 years of age, and allowing law enforcement officers to seize any cigarettes, tobacco products, tobacco related objects, alternative nicotine products, or vapor products that have been sold to and are in the possession of a person under 21 years of age. The bill also contained penalties for underage use of such products. It now goes to the Governor for his signature.
HB 882 failed to pass this session. The bill would have increased Georgia’s tobacco tax from 37 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes to $1.35 per pack and allow consumable vapor products to be taxed at $1.25 per fluid millimeter or cubic centimeter. It also required licensure of importers, manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of alternative nicotine products or vapor products. It is expected to be re-introduced in the 2021 session.
V4P Free Membership
Voices of Prevention encourages you to become a member to gain exclusive information about the latest webinars, networking events, newsletters, and advocacy calls. Register now to become a member of Voices for Prevention at v4pga.org or clicking the link below. See you at the next membership event!
Suicide Fact Sheet & Prevention Plan
Voices for Prevention is proud to partner with Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Development Disabilities’ (DBHDD) Office of Behavioral Health Prevention and Federal Grants (OBHPFG) on suicide prevention. Prevention, early intervention, and postvention strategies can reduce the impact of suicide in Georgia’s communities. Prevention activities work to educate and support individuals and communities to prevent suicide. DBHDD has created a Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan to increase suicide prevention awareness across the state. With this plan DBHDD hopes to develop and implement best clinical and preventive practices, and to advance and disseminate knowledge about suicide and effective methods for its prevention. As of 2018, that suicide is currently the 10th leading cause of death in Georgia, and the 2nd for those ages 10-24. Our partnership with DBHDD/OBHPFG, has allowed us to provide the Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan and Georgia Suicide Fact Sheet to our readers. For more information please click the links provided below or click our Resources page.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- JUL 23 | V4P membership call
- JUL 26-30 | CADCA Midyear Training Institute (virtual)
- AUG 25-26 | National Prevention Network Conference (virtual)
Share with V4P
Our readers come to V4P to hear and learn what is happening in the world of suicide prevention and substance abuse prevention. We strive to gain as much information as possible to share with V4P members and others across the state because knowledge is power.
V4P wants to hear from you! We invite you to let us know if you are having any future advocacy events, whether it’s a webinar or virtual event, open to the public that you would like to share. We call on our youth to send in articles and input for ways we can advocate for suicide prevention and substance abuse prevention. If you know of any Office of Behavioral Health Prevention provider activity updates for the state of Georgia, please share. We encourage all members to let us know if you have any accomplishments of individual members and member organizations that you would like to announce. Click the link below to share and we look forward to hearing from you!
EXAMPLES OF NATIONAL PREVENTION
WEEK PARTICIPATION (MAY 10-15)
Name: Jackie Clemonts
Organization: 100 Black Men of West Georgia, Inc.
Activities & Events:
- 100 Prevention Clubhouse
- Even though, we are not physically present with our youth and families at our clubhouse during this time due to Covid-19, we are still able to serve as a positive role models for them as we navigate these challenging times.
- During National Prevention Week our sessions focused on goal-pivot, not focusing on the negative, but instead focus on what you CAN do right her, right now. By allow time and space for creativity to take shape. (goal sitting), (Responsible Decision Making), (Identifying and Managing Emotions)and creating a Family Self-Care Plan- a plan to improve health both physically and emotionally.
- Youth and families had the opportunity to explore the world on virtual field trips, engage in fun and easy arts & craft projects, learn how to choose healthy snacks ideas and make no bake recipes, take the stress out of life with yoga, master the gardening with how to select your plants and preparing the soil with user friendly videos and prepare for your career with guidelines on how to dress for success and steps to creating a business plan.
- #preventionhappenshere
Name: Jessica Andrews-Wilson
Organization: Guide, Inc.
Activities & Events:
- All of our staff filled out the NPW templates about where we were and what we were preventing. We shared the photos on social media and encouraged others to participate, too.
Name: Ellen Ward
Organization: Next Generation Youth Development inc
Activities & Events:
“Apart but Not Alone” is an ongoing virtual clubhouse generated community service project designed for our clubhouse community. Our students created the concept during virtual meet- ups. The project involves 3D printing medallions with words of encouragement to strengthen and promote positive mental health during this uncharted time; a reminder to our clubhouse community that we may be Apart but Not Alone. Medallions are printed in pieces with different students receiving the pieces in the mail with a flyer providing an explanation of the project. They post a picture of their piece of the medallion that they received on Discord to find the person or persons that have the connecting piece; providing the tactile and visual reminder that they might not be together but that no one is alone. Students chose words for printing as well submitted design suggestions by posting sketches on Discord. The medallions can be collected and worn as a necklace, if desired. The first word/s chosen are Hope & Love, which were mailed to clubhouse members last month. Attached is the promotional flyer for the project as well as a photo of a student’s “Hope” medallion, which matches another student’s “love” piece.
