Please join us for the wellness chat on April 11, 2024, via ZOOM or in person (Sidney Regional Medical Center- SRMC - Behavioral Health Office, 610 Glover Road, Suite #3, Sidney, NE 69162), to learn more regarding Everyday Diversity and OSHA updates.

The ZOOM link is found here.

The Governor's Wellness Award application is now OPEN!!

Go to https://www.pphd.ne.gov/pwwc.html to access the application.

The Governor's Wellness Award was developed to help organizations of all sizes across the state of Nebraska become recognized for their wellness efforts. The Governor's Wellness Award has recognized 517 companies since 2008 for their wellness achievements, with several companies receiving the award more than once. We are proud to be the administrators and facilitators of this evidence-based awards process.

All organizations or schools complete one application! Based on how many points are earned will depend on which award level your organization or school will receive.

What is the cost to apply?

There is no cost to apply.

How and when will our company be recognized?

All award recipients will be formally notified by the Governor and receive a framed certificate. You will be recognized publicly and award recipients will be listed on the State of Nebraska websites. The State of Nebraska will issue periodic press releases announcing award recipients. A media release will be provided in your award packets for use with your local media.

Contact Nicole at nberosek@pphd.ne.gov to learn more or ask questions.

Click here to download the image.

Click here to download the toolkit.

Join us on April 24th for National Walk @ Lunch Day

Register your worksite here: http://tinyurl.com/57jn8mb8

Any business in the Panhandle can participate by registering with the link above, walking with employees, taking a picture, and posting to our Council Facebook page. We provide one (1) $15 Subway gift card per participating organization to use as an incentive for walking. Must be within our counties: Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux!

Contact Nicole at nberosek@pphd.ne.gov or 308-279-3496 with questions or comments.

Click here to download the image.

Click here to download the challenge details.

Move This May Wellness Challenge!

Complete 31 miles in 31 days, return your completed calendar, and you will be entered into a drawing!

Participants can earn miles by walking, running, biking, rolling, etc. We encourage you to exercise at a park near you OR explore a new state park in the Panhandle!

Each week a PPHD staff member will highlight a trail or path in the Panhandle to help participants learn different ways and areas to get their daily movement.

During registration, participants will have the opportunity to join a Facebook or Instagram group and post pictures of their adventures or walking activities with others.

To be eligible for the drawing, all participants must register here: https://tinyurl.com/32b77v2v or scan the QR code above. Then return the completed calendar below to Nicole at nberosek@pphd.ne.gov, by June 7, 2024.

Click here to download the image.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and the Division of Behavioral Health in Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has an important message about alcohol use. For those struggling with alcohol use and/or any other addiction -- help is available, and recovery is possible.

Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Approximately 95,000 Americans die from alcohol-related causes each year. In 2020, there were 123 alcohol-attributable deaths in Nebraska.

Nationally, and in Nebraska, alcohol is the most misused substance. Results of the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), demonstrated that one out of four people who drink have abused alcohol in the last year. Of people ages 18 or older, 25.8% engaged in binge drinking in the past month and 6.3% reported that they engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for a man and four drinks or more for a woman in two hours.

Young adults are especially at risk. In Nebraska in 2020, 12.4% of young adults reported driving under the influence of alcohol during the past year. Prevention efforts have reduced young adult binge drinking throughout Nebraska. Data shows binge drinking has decreased among both genders from 2013 (50.8% males, 44.1% females) to 2020 (34.0% males, 30.3% females).

Are you concerned about a loved one's alcohol use? A few suggestions for starting a meaningful conversation:

• Try to be objective and open.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Let your loved one know they're being heard. 
• Discuss the negative effects of alcohol.

Please take the time to address these concerns, as assistance is available in the Panhandle and virtually for those ready to receive assistance. 

Source: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/April-is-Alcohol-Awareness-Month-.aspx

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What is Distracted Driving?

According to Nebraska Department of Transportation, distracted driving is the act of driving while engaged in any task that takes your focus off the road – texting, talking on the phone, watching videos, reading, even passengers can be a distraction.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for approximately 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

In Nebraska in 2020, there were 3,924 drivers involved in distracted driving crashes and there were 19 fatalities.

You have one job, put the phone down and just drive.

Signs of distracted driving

• Nearly striking an object, vehicle, or pedestrian.
• Failure to safely maintain lane control.
• Driving into an opposing lane, crossing center line.
• Slow response to traffic signals.

Managing Driver Distraction

• Park the phone. Turn on notification before you go or stow it away.
• Pull over if you need to take or make a call. Safety first.
• Passengers can be of help, ask your passenger to change the radio station, monitor GPS, look for street signs.
• Before you go, research your destination and plan to get there safely.
• Secure your pets, unsecured pets can be a distraction.
• Pull over to a safe place to address situations involving children in the car.
• Focus on driving, multi-tasking behind the wheel is dangerous – keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.



Source: https://dot.nebraska.gov/safety/driving/distracted/

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Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful and overwhelming. Learning to cope with stress in a healthy way will help you, the people you care about, and those around you become more resilient.



Stress can cause the following:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration.
• Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests.
• Trouble concentrating and making decisions.
• Nightmares or problems sleeping.
• Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes.
• Worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions.
• Increased use of alcohol, illegal drugs (like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine), and misuse of prescription drugs (like opioids).

Ways to cope with stress:

• Take breaks from news stories.
• Take care of your body.
• Limit alcohol.
• Avoid smoking and illegal drugs.
• Take time to unwind.
• Connect with others.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/cope-with-stress/index.html

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April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day. Emergencies, including personal injury and illness, are often unpredictable. That unpredictability is both a reason to prepare and something to prepare for. Planning for personal health emergencies is so important. So take steps today!

Source: https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2022/04/advance-care-planning/

What if there was a way to end sexual violence? Would you be willing to help?

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a significant issue that affects our neighbors, friends, and family, our schools, our businesses, and our lives. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, thinking that, as an individual, you can’t affect any meaningful change.

This is where the DOVES Program is asking you to embrace courage and take the following small steps that, when combined with our efforts and the efforts of all those who live in our Nebraskan Panhandle, can end sexual violence.

1.      Personal level: What is one thing you can do in your personal life that addresses sexual violence? Ideas include:

a.      Practice consent in your relationships; for instance, ask for hugs instead of just taking them.

b.      Learn something new about healthy relationships, sexual health, or boundaries.

c.      Help the kids in your life practice setting boundaries.

2.      Community level: What can you do in your neighborhood or town that addresses sexual violence? Ideas include:

a.      Speak up for survivors in your community.

b.      Support local social service programs through donations and volunteering.

c.      Demand accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence.

3.      Statewide/Nationwide level: What can you do to create statewide or national change? Ideas include:

a.      Advocate for policy reforms that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

b.      Participate in national awareness campaigns.

c.      Call your representatives in Congress to urge them to support initiatives that support survivors.

It’s important to remember that change can happen when we work together. Join the DOVES Program in embracing courage. Stand up against sexual violence. Together, we can make a difference. If you or someone you know is experiencing or has been affected by these issues, please reach out to the DOVES Program. 24-hour Help Line: 866-95-DOVES, 24-hour Text Line: 515-599-6620, and website at DOVESProgram.com.

If your organization would like to schedule an on-site fingerstick health screening, please contact Nicole at nberosek@pphd.ne.gov.

Click here for the Safe Driver's image above.

Click here for the Speeding image above.

Basecamp

2024 Council Promotional Calendar is now on Basecamp! Click HERE to visit the Worksite Wellness Basecamp.

Interested in receiving additional Worksite Wellness information? You can find all the Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council (PWWC) documents and information on Basecamp. Check out our video to learn more about Basecamp: https://www.powtoon.com/c/b2ubYtnQ8bx/1/m. If you have questions or comments, please reach out by emailing nberosek@pphd.ne.gov.

In the whirlwind of parenthood, practicing mindfulness can be a game-changer. It's about more than just managing tantrums and carpools; it's about being present. Taking a mindful approach means fully engaging with your child, appreciating the small moments, and responding to challenges with a thoughtful and calm demeanor. Instead of getting caught up in the chaos, mindful parenting encourages tuning into your child's emotions and needs, fostering a deeper connection and understanding. Check out more at https://pphd.crediblemind.com/