Issue 12-1 | January 9, 2023
News
Spotlight On: Listen to Your Emotions / Escucha Tus Emociones
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This year, a good resolution to make is to listen to your emotions so that you can improve your quality of life and prevent small matters from overwhelming you and turning into crises.

While that may sound difficult, it is possible if you know the steps to take to pay attention to your emotions.

Local therapist and trainer Ana Paula Soares and her partners have developed the bilingual English/Spanish multimedia campaign Escucha Tus Emociones: Cuida Tu Vida / Listen to Your Emotions: Care for Your Life to help you understand everyday issues like how to control negative thoughts and how to improve your communication skills. The campaign offers practical tips and encouragement, as well as links to community resources for those who want more help with their mental health and wellness.

Soares has also partnered with Community Advocates Public Policy Institute to create a Spanish-language mental health/substance use prevention workshop tailored to Milwaukee’s Hispanic/Latinx residents’ needs, which will be available to the community in Spring/Summer. The project is supported by Milwaukee County’s Better Ways to Cope initiative and a SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training grant. Soares’ work helps to fill a gap in culturally appropriate mental health services for Hispanic/Latinx individuals and families in Milwaukee County, who face many barriers to care.

You can find mental health and wellness resources on PPI’s website, including “Escucha Tus Emociones: Cuida Tu Vida / Listen to Your Emotions: Care for Your Life” videos and materials, plus an interview with Soares.
Is Policy Change Part of Your Prevention Work in 2023?
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Many who work in prevention are interested in changing harmful policies that create harm in the community. But many preventionists are uncomfortable with advocating for policy change. To learn more about the why and how of policy change, the Southeast Region of the Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network has collected resources on its website to provide clarity on policy change to address community-level issues around alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Resources include two self-paced courses, “An Introduction to the Power of Policy Change” and “10 Steps of Policy Change,” as well as “Implementing Policy to Prevent Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Misuse: A Guidebook” and links to additional resources from around the PTTC Network. Access them here.
Request for Applications: Opioid Abatement Efforts in Federally Recognized Tribal Nations
The Wisconsin Department Health Services is inviting the 11 federally recognized tribal nations with members in Wisconsin to apply for funding to support culturally relevant prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services related to opioid use. It is the intention of DHS to provide awards to all eligible applicants who apply. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2023. Details here.
Webinars & Events
Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force Meeting
Tuesday, January 10
Following up on their November Karen Avery Forum, the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force’s meeting will feature the second in a series of discussions on supporting parents and children, in the child welfare system, for success. Invited speakers will share other models that include a strength based approach to support parents and families and address mental health needs. Speakers include Bregetta Wilson, MS, LPC-IT, Lived Experience Strategic Advisor, Division of Safety and Permanence, WI Department of Children and Families; Christine Ullstrup, LCSW, CSAC, VP Clinical Services, Meta House; Kisha Shanks, Policy Director, Benedict Center, CEO & Founder, Yemoja Wellness Group, LLC; Lauren Faulds, Program Manager Stronger Families Milwaukee, Community Advocates. This meeting will be held on January 10, from 3 to 5 p.m., on Zoon. Click here for the full agenda and to register.
Gov. Tony Evers’ Doing the Right Thing Budget Listening Tour
Virtual Session
Wednesday, January 11
Gov. Tony Evers is launching a statewide 'Doing the Right Thing' listening session tour to hear directly from Wisconsinites on the issues that matter to them as he prepares his 2023-25 executive budget. Topics covered in the sessions include pressing issues facing Wisconsinites and their families: addressing rising ​costs and national inflation; supporting our kids and public schools; ensuring healthcare is affordable and accessible; investing in high-speed internet and the state’s infrastructure and transportation systems; conservation and protecting our natural resources; and bolstering our state's workforce and building an economy that works for everyone. Gov. Evers will hold a virtual session on Wednesday, January 11, at 6 p.m., as well as in-person sessions in Wausau, Superior, and Eau Claire. Click here for details and to register.
Oral Health and Its Link to Systemic, Economic, and Public Health Part 2
Wednesday, January 11
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Many publications have indicated better health outcomes and even longer lifespan when individuals have access to dental care. Most authors conclude there is an association between oral health and systemic health but only a few authors have suggested there is a causal link. This series, cosponsored by the National Coalition of Dentists for Health Equity and the Region V Public Health Training Center, will present the economic and health benefits of dental care on systemic health. This session will discuss the associations between oral health and economic health. You can watch Part 1 and register for Part 2, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on January 11, at this link. 
New Research on the Child Support Landscape in Wisconsin
Wednesday, January 11
Child support is an important support for children who live apart from a parent, but there are many reasons why noncustodial parents may be unable or unwilling to pay. In this webinar, three researchers will share their insights on the current child support context in Wisconsin: what long-term impacts formal child support has on children's economic outcomes, what barriers exist for low-income noncustodial fathers, particularly in light of the COVID pandemic, and how Wisconsin child support agencies connect noncustodial parents with services to help address barriers to work and paying support. This webinar, organized by the Institute for Research on Poverty, will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on January 11. Get details and register here.
Survey Says: Teens Share How to Help Them Start Taking Control of Their Own Health with PATCH
Wednesday, January 11
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This month, join three PATCH Teen Educators for an interactive game exploring ways you can help teens become responsible managers of their own health care. Wisconsin PATCH (Providers and Teens Connecting for Health) is a collaboration of youth and adults that believe programs and policies for youth should include youth. They encourage young people to raise their voices to create positive change, and have programs and resources to educate, engage, and empower others to do the same. This Great Lakes MHTTC virtual training will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on January 11. Get details and RSVP at this link.
Supporting Resilience: Culturally Sensitive and Developmentally Appropriate Assessment and Interventions from Infancy to Adolescence, Part 3: Common Mental Health Diagnoses in Children and Adolescents
Thursday, January 12
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This 2-hour workshop is the third in the Supporting Resilience for Children and Youth series. This presentation will help new and veteran clinicians conceptualize the difference between supporting mental health and wellbeing and treating specific mental illnesses with evidence-based approaches. In doing so, clinicians review the most common youth diagnoses and identify ways to differentiate between competing diagnostic issues. This presentation will also discuss the importance of analyzing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the differential impact of such experiences across economic and cultural conditions. This Great Lakes MHTTC webinar will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on January 12. Get more information and register here.
Adolescents and their Social Media Narratives:
A Digital Coming of Age
Wednesday, January 18
In Adolescents and their Social Media Narratives, Dr. Jill Walsh specifically explores how social media impacts teenagers’ personal development. Through unique empirical data, Walsh presents an aspect of teen media use that is not often documented in the press – the process of evaluating the self visually in an attempt to reconcile their presentation with their internal “self-story.” Refreshments will be provided and books will be available for purchase, courtesy of Boswell Books. This event will be held at 7 p.m. on January 18 at University School of Milwaukee, 2100 W. Fairy Chasm Road, Milwaukee. Get details and RSVP here.
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Tuesday, January 24
Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care.  

The Adult Mental Health First Aid course, delivered via Zoom, consists of two hours of self-paced content followed by 6.5 hours of instructor-led training. The self-paced computer training must be completed at least three days prior to the beginning of the course and the one-hour self-paced, post-session computer training must be completed as well in order for attendees to obtain certification.

Community Advocates will offer this introductory session on January 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Registration ends January 17. To register, click here.
10 Tips to Reduce Conflict:
Practical Verbal De-Escalation Techniques
Thursday, January 26
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Do you want to learn how to defuse a situation before it spirals out of control? Do you want to understand why and how conflict builds and what you can do to resolve it?

During this two-hour virtual workshop, you will learn how to increase safety by utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore foundational information on how to reduce the level of conflict through self-knowledge, understand how past experiences influence current behavior, and practice 10 tips of de-escalation. This workshop is aimed toward individuals who encounter conflict in the workplace, at home, or in the community, whether you are a parent or educator, work in the helping professions, or otherwise work with the public in potentially tense situations. This training from Community Advocates will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on January 26. Click here to register.
Inclusive and Safe Communities: A Soulful Community Conversation and Lunch
Thursday, January 26
Research shows that people with disabilities are safer when they are connected to their communities. Join this Community Conversation event to connect with community members; learn how you can foster community inclusion and safety for people with disabilities; find resources and strategies to prevent sexual violence against people with disabilities; and help Milwaukee become safer for people with disabilities. This event, with a complimentary soul food lunch, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, at Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee. Register at this link, or via email to admpfw@gmail.com, or by calling 414-335-8219. Deadline to register is January 19.
Virtual QPR Question, Persuade, Refer Training
Tuesday, January 31
Community Advocates is offering QPR Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper workshops to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. The signs of crisis are all around us. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.

Community Advocates will offer this introductory session on January 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. To register, click here.
Resources
Updated Mental Health & Wellness Resource Guide
Community Advocates has updated its Milwaukee County Mental Health & Wellness Resource Guide. You can download it here.
SAMHSA Releases National Survey on
Drug Use and Health for 2021
In 2021, 94% of people aged 12 and up with a substance use disorder did not receive treatment, according to the latest national survey on substance use and mental health conducted by SAMHSA. Although SAMHSA warns that the 2021 stats shouldn’t be strictly compared to previous years, because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear that Americans of all ages and backgrounds need help with achieving optimal health and wellness. The report includes selected estimates by race, ethnicity, and age group. It is the most comprehensive report on substance use and mental health indicators that SAMHSA has released to date. You can access the report here.
American Lung Association’s State of Lung Cancer Report
The ALA’s State of Lung Cancer report analyzes key lung cancer indicators including incidence, survival, stage at diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment, and screening rates by state. You can also download the ALA’s 2022 State of Tobacco Control report on key tobacco control and prevention policies by state. Check out Wisconsin’s rankings at this link.
#BeThere to Prevent Suicide
We can all #BeThere to prevent suicide by taking actions that can promote healing and help, and give hope. Many people find it difficult to talk about suicide, and especially difficult to know how to talk to someone that is having thoughts of suicide. But there are clear actions that we can take. We can all learn the five steps for how to talk to someone who might be suicidal. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.


Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org.
Recursos en español
Consejos para adolescentes: La verdad sobre el alcohol
Esta hoja informativa en español para adolescentes brinda información sobre el alcohol. Describe los efectos a corto y largo plazo y ayuda a disipar mitos comunes. También puede ser utilizado por profesionales de la prevención, educadores, proveedores de atención médica y otras personas que tienen contacto regular con adolescentes.
Hable. Ellos escuchan
Hable. Ellos escuchan es la campaña nacional patrocinada por SAMHSA para la prevención del consumo de alcohol entre menores de edad ayuda a los padres y a los cuidadores para que puedan empezar la conversación con sus hijos acerca de los peligros del alcohol.
Family Resources
Tips for Teens: The Truth about Alcohol
This SAMHSA fact sheet for teens provides facts about alcohol. It describes short- and long-term effects and helps dispel common myths. It also can be used by prevention professionals, educators, health care providers, and others who come in contact with teens on a regular basis. Download it here.
Job Opportunities
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Forward the information to Prevention@CommunityAdvocates.net. Thank you for your service to Milwaukee!
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute | 414-270-2950  | ppi.communityadvocates.net