Western Connecticut Coalition Weekly Update

Volume 22| October 8, 2020

Your Weekly News & Updates

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Contact Dawn Fawcett- admin@wctcoalition.org

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COVID-19 Resources

Governor Lamont Announces New Programs To Support Those Who Need To Isolate or Self-Quarantine Due To COVID-19 Infection or Exposure

On September 30th, Governor Ned Lamont announced that his administration has launched a variety of new resources to support those who need to isolate or self-quarantine due to COVID-19.

With nonprofit partners such as United Way 2-1-1 and 4-CT, these programs and services are designed to support individuals in need who are asked to isolate or self-quarantine because of a positive COVID-19 test or potential exposure to the virus. Ultimately, the services will help slow the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring that those infected or potentially exposed can stay home and avoid workplaces, schools, and gatherings.

Programs and Services include:

The Community Resource Coordinator (CRC) program
COVID kits for those who need to monitor their symptoms
Housing support
Expansion of 4-CT Cash Cards:
Food assistance

Click here for more information

COVID and Isolation- Risk and Protective Factors

Regional Opioid and Other Drug Prevention and Policy Workgroup

At our October workgroup meeting, Dr. Joseph Stanton, PhD., of Millenium Health presented "Analysis of Drug-Testing Before and After COVID". While the main focus of his presentation highlighted an increase in positive test rates during the pandemic, and co-positivity rates, he reported on Kratom as a "Drug of Concern".

Kratom is legal in CT and sold in places like convenience stores and smoke shops. Used in low doses, it has stimulant-like effects; in higher doses, it has opioid like effects. It is often found in co-positivity drug screenings with other drugs like opioids, benzodiazepines, methamphetamines, and cocaine.

See below for more information from the DEA.

‌

Learn how to

save a life

We have openings for our October 20th Narcan Training Webinar.

Drug Free Schools Committee

Resources for Parents and Families

40 Developmental Assets

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.

Over time, studies of more than 5 million young people consistently show that the more assets that young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive.

Research shows that youth with the most assets are those least likely to have problems with:

Alcohol use
Violence
Illicit drug use
Sexual activity

Research shows that youth with the most assets are more likely to:

Do well in school
Be civically engaged
Value diversity

Free Resources

Search Institute offers free downloads of their 40 Developmental Assets Framework in 4 different age groups and in many different languages. Click here to find out more.

This list is for Adolescents ages 12-18. Click on the image to access the pdf.

Mental Health

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. Despite mental illnesses’ reach and prevalence, stigma and misunderstanding are also, unfortunately, widespread.

That is why each year, during the first week of October, NAMI and participants across the country raise awareness of mental illness. Each year, we educate the public, fight stigma, and provide support. And each year, our movement grows stronger.

MIAW 2020

The theme of this year’s Mental Illness Awareness Week is:

“What People with Mental Illness Want You to Know.”

Throughout the week, we will be raising the voices of those with lived experience to talk about some of the conditions and symptoms that are most misunderstood.

Mental Illness Awareness Week runs from October 4 – 10 and coincides with additional related events:

Tuesday Oct. 6: National Day of Prayer for Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding
Thursday Oct. 8: National Depression Screening Day. To learn more, and to take an on-line depression screening, click here
Saturday Oct. 10: World Mental Health Day
Saturday Oct. 10: NAMIWalks National Day of Hope

October 10th is World Mental Health Day

Please join the Green TEAR Initiative's World Mental Health Day Events this Friday and Saturday:

Mental Wellness for All: A Virtual World Mental Health Day Forum

Western CT Coalition Staff will be hosting QPR and Narcan training webinars on Friday afternoon 10/09.

Click the image to link to registration for these trainings and much more!

Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board Update

Suicide Warning Signs

Call 9-1-1 or seek immediate help from a mental health provider when you hear or see any one of these behaviors:

Someone threatening to hurt or kill themselves
Someone looking for ways to kill themselves: seeking access to pills, weapons, or other means
Someone talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide

Seek help by contracting a mental health professional or calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-273-TALK for a referral should you witness, hear, or see anyone exhibiting any one or more of these behaviors:

Hopelessness
Rage, anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Feeling trapped—like there’s no way out
Increasing alcohol or drug use
Withdrawing from friends, family, or society
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep, or sleeping all the time
Dramatic mood changes
No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

From the CT Suicide Advisory Board- www.preventsuicidect.org

QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Webinar Training

New dates in October.

Please join us!

This training helps empower all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know

Suicide Prevention is everyone's business.

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

1-800-273-TALK.

Prevention

The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) is holding its bi-annual Take Back Day on October 24th.

The April event was canceled due to COVID, so it is important we promote this event within our communities. Getting unused prescription drugs out of people's homes prevents misuse. In conjunction with the prescription drug takeback, the DEA also offers an E-Cig and Vaping Device Takeback.

(See below for more information).

If you are part of a Local Prevention Council, (LPC), we encourage you to contact your local police department to see if they are registered for the event. Offer to help host and promote this important prevention effort in your town/s!