SUBSTANCE ABUSE & SUICIDE PREVENTION RALLIES 2024
Stigma surrounding substance use and mental health has long been a detrimental barrier. The negative view society holds towards these issues, can prevent individuals from seeking help and can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. However, by changing the way we talk about substance use and mental health we can shift societal mindsets and empower individuals to seek the support they need. By using person first language that emphasizes the individual rather than the condition, we can promote understanding and empathy. For example, saying “a person with substance use disorder” instead of “an addict” can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek treatment. By using words that are neutral and non-judgmental we can break down barriers to seeking help. For instance, instead of using terms like “crazy” or “junkie”, we can use language that is respectful and compassionate. The language that we use shapes our attitudes and beliefs. By changing the way we talk about substance use and mental health, we can shift societal mindset and promote a more compassionate understanding approach. For example, framing substance use as a health issue rather than a moral failing can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek support. It is through the power of words that we can empower the voice of change and create a more supportive and understanding society.
With this theme in mind, Voices for Prevention hosted the annual Prevention Days in Atlanta. Substance Use Prevention Day was held on February 29, 2024 and Suicide Prevention Day was held on March 21, 2024. The events were held in the Sloppy Floyd building across from the Georgia Capitol. Both events were well attended with the majority of attendees being youth.
During Substance Use Prevention Day, guest speaker Dana McCrary spoke on the importance of words and how we can change the world around us with the way we speak to and about people. During Suicide Prevention Day, guest speaker Hannah Lucas, a mental health advocate and creator of the notOK app., spoke about her experience with mental health issues and how that led to the creation of the notOK app. Hannah is a young adult and spoke to the youth in the room specifically about how they can make a difference in other people’s lives. These events serve as a platform to address substance use and mental health topics as well as offer a unique opportunity to raise awareness and network with adults and youth from across the state. Through presentations and interactive activities, attendees gain valuable insight and improve skills in advocacy. One of the key features of the Prevention Day events is the opportunity to meet with legislators at the Georgia Capitol. The sense of community empowers individuals to engage in advocacy efforts year-round.
ADVOCACY
Now that the 2024 legislative session is over, you may be left wondering where specific legislation ended up. Please click each link below to find out more information on bills and legislative tracker. Thanks to our friends at Voices for Georgia’s Children and Georgia Council for Recovery for putting this information together.
Voices for GA Children and GA recovery links to their websites:
Georgia Substance Abuse Legislative Bill Tracker
YOUTH
Highschoolers’ Stories Give Glimpse Into National Crisis
The prevalence of mental health issues is hard to measure, but federal data show how widespread the challenges are. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said we need to address threats to mental health in young people—especially adolescents.
More than one third (37%) of high schoolers in the United States reported experiencing poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a 2021 CDC study. Almost half (44%) of high schoolers reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in the last year. Some of these feelings were also linked to experiences of racism, social stigma around gender and sexual identity, and sexual violence.
Read More Click HERE
NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK 2024
National Prevention Week is a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations across the country that are preventing substance use and misuse and promoting positive mental health.
We recognize that prevention happens every day, not just during the second week of May. As such, National Prevention Week is shifting to celebrate and promote your year-round prevention initiatives. SAMHSA created a new, ongoing virtual series to showcase, elevate, and celebrate the important prevention ideas, events, news, and activities that impact communities across the country. Throughout the year, the series will focus on spotlighting prevention organizations and cultivating social innovation to address the real needs of our communities and young people.
Don’t forget, you can help promote prevention at any point throughout the year by sharing your #MyPreventionStory on social media, downloading our planning toolkit, and promoting National Prevention Week.
Member Spotlight
Name- Afiya H. King, MPH, MCHES, ICPS
Organization- The Council on Alcohol and Drugs
Job Title- Associate Director of the Prevention/Intervention Division
Description of organization and role within the organization.
- The Council on Alcohol and Drugs is a 55 year-old nonprofit, 501(c)3 substance abuse prevention and education agency that develops programs and materials based on the most current research on drug use and its impact on the community. The Council has served the community through high-quality services and effective prevention programs. The Council has an exciting range of educational programs and services designed to engage children and teens, address the needs of parents, and to provide employers, educators, health professionals, policymakers, and the media with authoritative information on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, as well as mental health promotion.
- As the Associate Director of the Prevention/Intervention Division, I work to provide a full range of substance abuse prevention and intervention programs throughout the state of Georgia. I work to develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate substance abuse prevention and early intervention programs to meet the needs of community organizations, government agencies, and schools in Georgia.
What is your favorite thing about working in the field of prevention?
- As the Associate Director of the Prevention/Intervention Division, I work to provide a full range of substance abuse prevention and intervention programs throughout the state of Georgia. I work to develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate substance abuse prevention and early intervention programs to meet the needs of community organizations, government agencies, and schools in Georgia.
What is one piece of advice to those who work in the prevention field?
- I would advise anyone working in the field of prevention to take full advantage of continuing education opportunities and professional development. The world of prevention is vast and having an advanced knowledge of prevention techniques and experience that is transferable to any prevention discipline is extremely valuable.
Any events your org. has coming up that you want to promote?
- The Power Through Prevention Community Coalition is hosting a Coalition Appreciation Luncheon and Partner Meet and Greet on June 6, 2024, at Fulton County Juvenile Court in Atlanta, GA. For more information, please contact adaniels@livedrugfree.org
Member Spotlight
Name- Donna Dent
Organization- DBHDD / Office of Prevention Services
Job Title- OPS Director
Description of organization and role within the organization.
- DBHDD operates state hospitals and provides for community-based services across the state through contracted providers. The department serves people living with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, our primary responsibility is to serve people who are uninsured. We also serve individuals on Medicaid and others with few resources or options.
- The Office of Prevention Services is the state agency charged with providing prevention leadership, strategic planning, and services to improve the mental/emotional well-being of communities, families, and individuals in Georgia. It was previously called the Office of Behavioral Health Prevention (OBHP).
What is your favorite thing about working in the field of prevention?
- The people. I enjoy working with truly dedicated and committed people. They are in it to help others and improve the human condition for all of us and all of our communities. Make the world a better a place for all of us. I enjoy working with the providers and the awesome communities across Georgia. I love meeting and learning about all the different cultures and populations. It is a lot of work but never a dull moment.
What is one piece of advice to those who work in the prevention field?
- Take the time to recenter yourself and try and maintain a work life balance. This field can burn you out if you don’t make time to reassess your personal needs and prioritize your self care. We often tend to put others first and have difficulty keeping work separate from home but we need to refill our own reserves in order to continually give to others. I enjoy nature and taking walks, spend time with family, and loving on my 2 fur babies to help recharge after a hard week.
- Also, always continue to learn and explore. Mentoring new prevention professionals can provide fresh perspective to your work and help remind you of the enthusiasm you had when you started out. Finding mentors and roles models to learn from can give you direction, support, and advice to achieve your potential. Lean on one another. Never loos you curiosity and desire to lean. Be open to new theories, new perspectives, and new approaches. Life is about change and growth so as the world changes so do our communities and family systems. We need to recognize those changes and be willing to grow and adapt to them.
Any events your org. has coming up that you want to promote?
- The 17th Annual Georgia SOCA conference is scheduled for June 26-28, 2024, at the Atlanta Evergreen Lakeside Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
- The 17th annual Georgia School of Addiction Studies is from August 25-29, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah
- 10/9-11/2024 – DBHDD 10th Behavioral Health Symposium, Lexi Lodge in Buford, Ga
- Oct 9 to 11, 2024 Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Division of Behavioral Health annual Behavioral Health Symposium to inform professionals about best practices in the delivery of behavioral health services and supports.
Any other comments?
- “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe.
- “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advanced Advocacy Panel Webinar
We are excited to announce that we will be presenting a V4P Advanced Advocacy Webinar, on Wednesday, May 8 at 2pm.This webinar will be an interactive panel discussion with the following panelists
- Sue Thau – Advocacy at the federal level
- Michael Mumper- Advocacy at the state level
- Ben Song- Advocacy at the community level
- Jeff Breedlove- Advocacy at the GA State Capitol
Panelists will discuss advocacy at different levels. Each panelist will talk about the purpose and benefits of advocacy, examples of successful advocacy, and best practices or tips for successful advocacy at each level.
Join us May 8th at 2pm
Time: May 8, 2024 02:00 PM Eastern Time
Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81819013322?pwd=QUg2N2grcUJZZWEyT1g5aGlUTWlrZz09
Meeting ID: 818 1901 3322
Passcode: 596193
Join by Phone: (646) 558 8656
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 that is 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 and Federal Grants (OBHPFG) provider activity updates for the state of Georgia, please share them. 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
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Upcoming Events
2024
- May – Mental Health Awareness Month
- May 5-10- American Association of Suicidology Conference – Las Vegas – https://suicidology.org/aas24/
- May 12-18: National Prevention Week – https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week
- May 31st: World No Tobacco Day- https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day
2024 Continued
- July 14-18: CADCA Mid-Year – https://s2.goeshow.com/cadca/midyear/2024/index.cfm
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT
