RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter 07.19.23

RCAHD Health Updates Newsletter

07.19.23

Health updates for residents of the

Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)

Forwarded from a friend? Subscribe here

Building Blocks for Mental Health:

Places for residents to find help to improve

mental health support systems

Earlier this year, readers of this newsletter selected mental health matters as among their top local concerns for public health.

Mental health and physical health are closely connected. Problems with mental health, such as depression and anxiety, affect a person’s ability to participate in health-promoting behaviors. Likewise problems with physical health, such as chronic diseases, can decrease a person’s ability to participate in mental health treatment and recovery.

July is Social Wellness Month, a chance to focus on improving support systems through education and relationships. Although RCAHD does not directly provide mental health services, we work with many community partners who do.

Check out this list as a starting place for resources for mental health Helplines, Education, and Local Support Groups:

For parents:

Postpartum Support Virginia offers support groups for new parents
Family Wellness Roanoke and Blue Ridge Parenting are offering free and low-cost virtual parenting workshops in upcoming months

Family support groups:

National Alliance on Mental Illness- Roanoke Valley offers virtual education and support groups
Family Service Roanoke Valley offers counseling and support group services
The Adult Care Center offers a monthly caregivers' support group

For veterans:

Military One Source has mental health resources targeted to veterans and their families

Substance-abuse focus:

Roanoke Prevention Alliance, the Partnership for Community Wellness, and Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition offer resources to help teens and young adults avoid substance abuse
The Bradley Clinic Hope Initiative helps individuals and families navigate the application process to receive education and treatment services

24-Hour local crisis services:

540-981-9351 is a local hotline (Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare) for individuals and families looking for mental health services

Suicide prevention:

#988 (Call or Text) Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Suicide Prevention Council of Roanoke Valley has workshops, including Mental Health First Aid

Alleghany Highlands area services:

Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition promotes safer lifestyle choices
Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board (540-965-2135) provides individual and group services for residents

Looking for more mental health or substance use treatment providers?

Visit the Commonwealth of Virginia website 2-1-1 Virginia (800-230-6977) for an even more comprehensive list of local community service providers searchable by type and zip code.

Opening the door to preventing blindness

July is Healthy Vision Month, an opportunity to draw attention to the importance of eye health. Routine eye exams (including eye dilatation) are essential to catch problems early, but other steps to protect your vision include:

Maintaining a healthy diet
Not using cigarettes or other tobacco and nicotine products
Wearing sun protection for the eyes when outdoors
Wearing protective eyewear when necessary
Learning about your family’s eye health history

As people age, they’re at a greater risk for many eye diseases and conditions, but vision loss doesn’t have to be a normal part of aging.

How are eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration detected?

In this 3min video, learn what an eye care professional looks for when the pupil is dilated during a comprehensive eye exam. (National Eye Institute - NIH)

Summertime Resource Roundup

Now that the heat is on, take a look back at some of the links we have shared for summer-related health prevention topics:

Maximizing Summer Fun: Food safety, water safety, sun exposure and heat awareness

Preventing Vector-borne Illnesses: Minimizing exposure to mosquitos and ticks

Splash Pad Safety: Are interactive fountain venues regulated the same as swimming pools?

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: Find daily zip code-specific air quality information and guidance

Hurricane Season Preparedness: What plans are needed your household?

RCAHD Health Situation Update

More dashboards at vdh.gov

A note about Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS): "Invasive disease" means that germs invade parts of the body that are normally free from germs. Residents of long-term care facilities are particularly at risk for severe iGAS infections, which can require hospitalization or cause death in some cases.

The best way to protect yourself from group A strep infection is to practice good hygiene, like washing your hands often.
Parents and caregivers should see a healthcare provider if they think they or their child have strep throat, or another less severe group A strep infection.
Make sure everyone in the household is up-to-date with flu and chickenpox vaccines, since getting these infections can increase risk for iGAS infections.

Alleghany Highlands Health Outreach

All residents welcome!

July 20th

Mountain Gateway Community College,

10am-2pm

Upcoming K-12 School Vaccination Clinics:

July 20, 3-6pm, Staunton River Middle School
July 27, 11am-2pm, Central Academy Middle School
July 27, 1-3pm, Read Mountain Middle School
Walk-ins are welcome

Most local health department locations offer weekly clinics by appointment for adult and childhood immunizations, including all vaccines required for school.

Visit our website to find a location near you! We accept most insurances. No insurance? No problem, we offer a sliding scale for services. Please bring your child's immunization record to your appointment.