Western Connecticut Coalition Weekly Update

Volume 26 | November 11, 2020

Your Weekly News & Updates

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Contact Dawn Fawcett - admin@wctcoalition.org

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We would like to take a moment to say thank you to all our committee members and coalition volunteers. Your tireless dedication to the health and wellness of your communities is an inspiration to us.

We wish you all a healthy and

Happy Thanksgiving.

Be well and stay safe.

Visit our Website

COVID-19 Resources

Covid means Thanksgiving and Christmas will be a bummer. Don't make it worse by urging joy.

This article makes some great points. Here are a few highlights:

If we want to increase the likelihood that people can find a meaningful way to participate in holiday events — and make good decisions rather than engage in risky behavior during the pandemic —it is helpful to acknowledge that everyone is struggling during the pandemic.
By supporting one another, we can help build resilience- a key component of mental health.

Click here to read the full article.

Regional Opioid and Other Drug Prevention and Policy Workgroup

DEA and partners collect a record amount of unwanted medications during National Prescription Drug

Take Back Day

DEA brings in nearly a million pounds of prescription medications

Full News Release

Results: October 2020 19th National Take Back

Click here for additional details about the 19th National Take Back Day.

Space is available for our November 17th Narcan Training Webinar.

Drug Free Schools Committee

Resources for Youth, Parents and Families

The United Way of Connecticut, in collaboration with the Connecticut Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Children and Families and State Department of Education, is pleased to announce the release of the “Gizmo’s Pawesome Pledge for Mental Health.”

Developed by the CT Suicide Advisory Board, "Gizmo's Pawesome Guide to Mental Health" has been used widely across the state and across the nation to help young people understand their feelings, develop health coping skills and to identify a trusted adult.

The Pledge takes Gizmo to another level with the promotion of mental health and emotional wellness

Upcoming Programs for Teens and Parents

Mental Health

Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board

QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Webinar Training

Space is available in our 11/20 training. 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!

Prevention

The Great American Smokeout is Thursday November 19, 2020

Resources to help quit smoking and vaping:

Problem Gambling Awareness

At last month's CT Council on Problem Gambling's annual conference, we learned about a great podcast with a focus on supporting those with a Gambling Disorder. Check it out wherever you listen to podcasts!

All In: The Addicted Gambler's Podcast

With the help of his co-hosts Chris & Jeff, Brian Hatch recounts his gambling addiction story. Brian, Jeff, and others with gambling disorder discuss gambling addiction on a macro level.

Our Partners

40 Developmental Assets Framework

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.

External Asset #3 which falls under "Support"

Other Adult Relationships- Young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.

Whether you’re a neighbor, teacher, tutor, coach, aunt, older cousin, or coffee shop worker—you can be a good friend to a young person. Young people want adults besides their parents to count on. Problem is, we live in a society that doesn’t always encourage adults and youth to spend time together

How do we build this asset?

Connect with people outside of your own family and interact regularly
Become a mentor to youth in your community
Think about your child’s strengths, talents, and interests and connect them with an adult who shares those qualities

The 40 Developmental Assets® may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial uses only. Copyright ©1997 Search Institute®, 3001 Broadway Street NE, Suite 310, Minneapolis MN 55413; 800-888-7828; www.searchinstitute.org. All rights reserved.