May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

National Prevention Week is May 12th to 18th!
 
Dear HCC Members:
It is hard to believe that it’s already May!  Many schools will have their Proms this month and then the end of the school year and Graduation are right around the corner! There are also many important events coming up within the next few weeks.  You can read about these events and initiatives as well as other important information below.
For any questions related to information contained in this newsletter or related to youth substance use prevention, please do not hesitate to contact us at  hcc@councilonaddiction.org or (716) 373-4303 ext. 518.

Please follow us on social media! Facebook: @yourlife-yourchoicehcc or Twitter & Instagram: @healthycattco.
 
Thank you all for that you do in the community!
Member Recognition

HCC would like to say thank you to SSG Justin Chernogorec from the National Guard Counterdrug Task Force for all of his service and dedication not only to HCC, but to other coalitions in Western New York. He has contributed a great deal of time and effort to the Mission and Goals of HCC through participating in various committees and sub-committees, providing trainings to students and faculty in schools, and representing the coalition in the community.  Thank you for all of your continued efforts and support to HCC!

National Prevention Week May 12-18 2019!

National Prevention Week is a grassroots effort supported by SAMHSA and is observed annually.  SAMHSA’s theme for this 2019 week long educational event is “Inspiring Action, Changing Lives”.  Each day you will be able to view information in our social media that corresponds to the topic of the day.  But, we also want to let you know that National Prevention Week is the kick-off to some of HCC’s biggest initiatives yet that you will find more about just below in this newsletter!  

Monday, May 12th: Preventing Prescription and Opioid Misuse
Tuesday, May 13th: Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse
Wednesday, May 14th: Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use
Thursday, May 15th: Preventing Youth Tobacco Use
Friday, May 16th: Preventing Suicide
2019 Prom Awareness Campaign



Look for these stickers on your pizza boxes!  The HCC sub-committee that formed to spread the Prom/Graduation youth alcohol prevention initiative, will be contacting local restaurants and asking them to place these stickers on their pizza boxes.  Our theme that we will be carrying out through the summer is to “Make Lasting Memories”, without the influence of alcohol.  

 

 We will also be asking local florists, hair dressers, barber shops, and tuxedo rentals to give out this business card.



Check out the HCC website in upcoming weeks for further details on the businesses who agreed to participate in the initiative this year ( www.yourlife-yourchoice.com ).

Let’s also encourage our schools to have the students who will be attending Prom this year sign the  “Prom Promise” Pledge on May 13 th – the day we recognize  Prevention of Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse.  
 
Salamanca High School Parent Education Night:
  
Attention all Cattaraugus County School Districts, Salamanca High School is hosting a Parent Education Night on Thursday, May 9 th .  Please see the attached flyer for further details!
The Connection Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

The  National Bureau of Economic Research  (NBER) reports that there is a “definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances” and that mental health disorder patients are responsible for the consumption of:
  • 38 percent of alcohol
  • 44 percent of cocaine
  • 40 percent of cigarettes

Coming Soon: Communities Talk Town Hall Meetings For Prevention Of Underage Alcohol Use.
Follow us on social media and look for updates on our website www.yourlife-yourchoice.com for further details on these important events!

HCC will be hosting a “Communities Talk” Town Hall Meeting for Youth Prevention of Underage Drinking.




Next meeting is June 6th!
Help Is Only A Phone Call Away!
Youth Crisis Hotline Information
  Cattaraugus Community Action
24-Hour Crisis Hotline  (888) 945-3970
 
Olean General Hospital
24-Hour Crisis Hotline  (800) 339-5209
 
24-Hour Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741