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Mental Health Disorders Related to
COVID-19–Related Deaths
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The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published this article on October 12th. Here are some of the highlights and findings:
- The number of deaths currently attributable to COVID-19 is nearly 4 times the number killed in the Vietnam War
- Interpersonal loss (deaths) and social disruption (employment, education, food security, cultural and religious practices, and personal supports) have overwhelmed individuals and families
- Results of a CDC survey conducted in June 2020 (5,412 participants): 40.9% of respondents reported at "least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition", with rates that were 3-4 times higher the rates one year earlier. 10.7% of respondents reported seriously considering suicide in the last 30 days.
- A public health/community strategy is critical.
A possible approach- 3 strategies:
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To read the full article, click here
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Upcoming Webinar:
COVID-19 and Mental Health in the Workplace:
Solutions for Employers and Employees
This webinar will highlight effective strategies to address mental health and mental well-being in the workplace. Experts will share actionable strategies for employees and employers that can improve mental health both during the pandemic and beyond.
Click here to learn more and to register with The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation.
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Regional Opioid and Other Drug Prevention and Policy Workgroup |
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"Tipping the Pain Scale"
Producer - Greg Williams
Director - Jeff Reilly
At our Annual Meeting last week, our good friend Greg Williams shared his latest project with us - "Tipping the Pain Scale", a feature independent documentary film. The film follows courageous individuals grappling with the current systemic failures of how we have dealt with addiction in communities and their journey to develop and employ new, innovative, and often controversial solutions to the problem.
Click here to read more about the project and watch the inspiring trailer. Follow them on Facebook- @TipThePainScale
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Learn how to
save a life!
We have openings for our October 20th Narcan Training Webinar.
Register today!
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Drug Free Schools Committee
Resources for Youth, Parents and Families
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Living with mental illness may sometimes leave you feeling hopeless and alone. Often, you may not know what’s wrong or you may even feel like you’ve done something wrong. Even when you do understand what’s happening, you may find it hard to talk about what you’re going through with friends and family. The stigma associated with having a mental illness often makes it hard to talk openly about your feelings and experiences. We want you to know that help is available.
OK2TALK is a community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health conditions can find a safe place to talk about what they’re experiencing by sharing their personal stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope.
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Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board Update |
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Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
People often spend a large portion of their day at a workplace and, in doing so, get to know other employees over time. As a result, they may be in a good position to notice changes in behavior that could suggest risk for suicide or other mental health problems.
Learn more about the importance of addressing suicide in the workplace, and about how employers can take action.
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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.
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Suicide Prevention is everyone's business.
Contact Western CT Coalition about hosting
a QPR training in your workplace at
203-743-7741
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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.
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NIAAA Director George F. Koob, PhD Blog:
Alcohol poses different challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting every family across the country and will likely have a long-lasting impact on public health and well-being. Alcohol misuse is already a public health concern in the United States, with dramatic increases in emergency department visits and alcohol-related deaths observed in recent years. Alcohol has the potential to further complicate the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple ways. Continue reading here.
Director Koob's blog refers to these CDC recommendations:
Healthy ways to cope with stress
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Know what to do if you are sick and are concerned about COVID-19. Contact a health professional before you start any self-treatment for COVID-19
- Know where and how to get treatment and other support services and resources, including counseling or therapy (in person or through telehealth services)
- Take care of your emotional health
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting
- Take care of your body by eating healthy, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep
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Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
- Make time to unwind and engage in activities you enjoy
- Avoid excess alcohol and drug use
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Connect with others. While social distancing measures are in place, consider connecting online, through social media, or by phone or mail.
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Problem Gambling Awareness |
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Loot Boxes
From the CCPG Facebook page, "Whether loot boxes should be classified as gambling or not is obviously open to debate, but there is evidence to show that they appeal to problem gamblers and young people."
(Graphic courtesy of Cam Adair/Derek Mei)
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40 Developmental Assets Framework |
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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.
There are two categories of assets: external assets and internal assets. External assets are the assets that center around positive experiences from the people and experiences in a young person's life. Internal assets are those that focus on individual qualities that guide positive choices and develop a sense of confidence, passion, and purpose.
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