Communi-Key
Cumberland, North Smithfield & Lincoln Prevention Coalitions
November 2019
And just like "THAT"...the holidays are upon us! The holidays can certainly be stressful (not only for adults, but for children, as well)....We urge you to take some time from the "hustle and bustle" and enjoy the beauty of the holiday season.
“Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!” -Charmaine J. Forde
Drug Take Back Day: SUCCESS!
Rhode Islanders joined Americans nationwide to do their part to reduce the opioid crisis by bringing the DEA 4,778lbs - of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs to 36 collection points across the state on National Drug Take Back Day on October 26th, 2019. In total, 937,443 pounds or 468.72 tons were collected in the United States this year of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal at more than 5,839 collection sites. .
Cumberland residents disposed of 2l01.5bs & Lincoln collected 285lbs of unwanted/expired medications! The next drug take-back day will be held in the spring.
REMINDER: Lincoln and Cumberland are both equipped with 24/7 drop off boxes in the police stations!
Hidden in Plain Sight
"If Only": Town Hall Meeting: SUCCESS!
WHAT IS BH LINK?
The Behavioral Health Link (BH Link) is designed to provide immediate assistance to a person in crisis by providing innovative crisis intervention services, and connecting people to ongoing treatment and care. Services are provided by our professional team of registered nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, phone screeners, and peer specialists. Our clinicians will listen to clients’ concerns and take the necessary steps to get people through their crisis, and help make connections to longer term services if needed.
Primary components:
BH Link Hotline, (414-LINK; 414-5465): a one-stop, statewide 24/7 call-in center that connects people to appropriate care and resources, when they or someone they care about is experiencing a behavioral healthcare crisis
BH Link Triage Center: a 24/7 community-based walk-in/drop-off facility where clinicians connect people to immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services, and long-term care and recovery supports
WHY BH LINK
Provides immediate access to behavioral healthcare in a community-based, 24/7 facility
Ensures stability, provides seamless transfer to ongoing care, and reduces unnecessary use of hospital-based services
Delivers better, more cost-effective behavioral healthcare in Rhode Island.
- For more information, click HERE!
Stay Connected!
Stay on top of all the latest news, trends and events by "Liking" & "Following us! Our Facebook page is, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bvprevention/
And last, but not least, we are on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BVPrevention. Our website address is http://blackstonevalleyprevention.org/. Be sure to "Like" and "Share" us with your friends and family!
Have questions? Any suggestions? Please email Pam Shayer, at pshayer@lincolnri.org.
We want to hear from you!
Holidays have YOU STRESSED OUT?!?!?!
During the holidays, a lot of families get together for food, fun, reminiscing — and maybe a touch (or more) of drama. Holiday gatherings can be stressful as old memories — good and bad — rise to the surface.
We’re typically busier during the holidays than we are at any other time of the year. This means stress levels are higher and we’re more likely to be upset by smart remarks, teasing, and negativity. In the midst of kids fighting, siblings sharing stories you wish everyone had forgotten, or family members engaging in behavior that drives you up the wall, you might ask yourself "Why is my family so ‘out there?’"
Here are some tips to survive the holiday season with your family:
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don't give any more mileage to bad feelings. If you have some bad feelings about others, acknowledge those feelings are there, and maybe for a good reason, but decide not to let them grow.
- Set healthy boundaries. If there are things you’d set limits on with others at any other time of the year, set them during the holidays. Healthy boundaries will help reduce stress and give you a sense of control over your environment.
- Be sensitive to those around you. Statistically speaking, one in five people will suffer from a mental health condition this year in the U.S. In fact, Utah has the nation’s highest rate of mental illness. A lot of people struggle with the holidays — and they might be family members who don't want to talk about the extra stress or sadness they’re feeling. But be aware that the holidays can be especially stressful for some people, and be on the lookout to help someone around you.
- Have realistic expectations. Here’s the thing about families: You know a lot about each other — the good and the bad. Avoid the temptation to make a case against those who bother you and make an effort to see their strengths in addition to their weaknesses in order to keep a balanced view. Remember this: Everyone has something they’re battling.
- There’s some very real pain out there. If you find yourself in an emotionally abusive situation, you need to look for a healthier place to be. Families can come in all forms, so if relatives are distanced from one because of abuse or trauma, find your "family" with people who enhance your health and well-being.
Holiday Drinking: Keep It Safe
As you might suspect, the holiday season then becomes one of the most dangerous times of the year for alcohol-related accidents and death. There are several reasons for this:
- Many holiday drinkers don’t drink often, so they have a lower alcohol tolerance.
- Problem drinkers and alcoholics love the holidays because there are more social occasions to drink.
- The holidays are busy and stressful. People are hurrying more than normal and winter road conditions make driving more dangerous.
Avoiding Alcohol-Related Problems
You can make your holidays happier and safer by following these five simple tips throughout the season:
- Just say no.
Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Don’t feel like you have to drink just because your host offers — it’s not rude to choose a non-alcoholic beverage instead. - Offer nonalcoholic beverages.
If you want to serve alcohol to your guests, offer nonalcoholic beverages as well. - Designate a driver before the party begins.
If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to use alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Decide that drinking and driving is not an option. - Choose your number ahead of time.
If you are going to drink, do what responsible drinkers do. Decide ahead of time how many drinks you will have and stick to it. Drinking is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility.
Don’t become another drunk driving statistic, and try to remember the reasons people celebrate at this time of the year!!!!
Interested in becoming a member of the Cumberland, Lincoln or North Smithfield Prevention Coalition?
Interested in finding out or becoming a member of the Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition? Please join us for our monthly meeting!
(For Lincoln Residents) Tuesday, January 15th at 6:30pm, Lincoln Police Department
(For Cumberland Residents) Tuesday, January 15th at 4:00pm, McCourt Middle School
(For North Smithfield Residents) Thursday, January 24th at 2:00pm, NS High School
Please join us & learn how YOU can be a part of prevention for the community!
Please watch our Facebook page, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition, for more exciting news!