Communi-Key
Lincoln Prevention Coalition
September, 2019
And just like that, Summer '19 has slipped through our fingers! The temperatures and the school calender are telling us it's time to get "back to business". We hope you all had a safe, relaxing summer break! During the summer months, we use this time to regroup, plan, educate ourselves and outreach to community members, for the upcoming school year. And this summer, was jammed packed with all of the above! Although the first few weeks of school are an adjustment for teachers and students alike, we hope everyone is getting acclimated to their "new normal"!
"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows" ~Sydney J. Harris
"Popsicles and Prevention" in the Parks!
Kicking off Summer 2019 with the amazing staff of the Town of Lincoln Parks and Recreation!!! The Lincoln Prevention Coalition had the opportunity to chat with staff members that will be working with our youth during the summer camp park program.
The Staff collaborated with the LPC to roll out our new program “Popsicles & Prevention” at the parks this summer! This interactive program combined "ice breakers", substance abuse prevention and of course prizes and popsicles!
RIPCA Youth Force Summit!
The Lincoln Prevention Coalition sponsored Lincoln High School Students & Youth Advisors to attend the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association Youth Force Summit. The Lincoln "ATI Crew" enjoyed 3 nights, 4 days on the beautiful Roger Williams University Campus. Over the course of the 4 days, students learned about traffic safety and heard the stories of many people affected by impaired driving. Students collaborated with other high school students from various cities and towns in Rhode Island! Great job, Lincoln ATI Crew!
Prevention & Pizza!
Over the summer months, The Lincoln Prevention Coalition partnered with Manville Palace Pizza in our "Pizza Box Campaign". Over 1,000 pizza boxes were distributed with our messaging about underage alcohol consumption! According to the 2017 RI Student Survey, 38.2% of RI teens obtained the alcohol they consumed by someone giving it to them. Thank you Manville Palace Pizza for being a wonderful community partner!
We urge everyone......share your PIZZA with teens....NOT your alcohol!
The Lincoln Prevention Coalition provides numerous services to the Lincoln Community, as well as the Lincoln Public Schools. Here are just a few!
NEW RHODE ISLAND FREE QUIT RESOURCE!! Collaboration between Tobacco Free Rhode Island and Truth Initiative
Tobacco Free RI is excited to be launching the This Is Quitting youth e-cigarette quit program here in Rhode Island. The program is now live and free to use. Youth can text "Hope4RI" to 88709 and begin receiving instant quit support for their addiction to e-cigarettes.
For more information on this FREE support, click HERE!
Parents: My teen vapes....NOW WHAT?!
For parents of vapers, a new feature gives quick access to actionable tips they can use to help their child quit. The EX Program recently released a simple registration process for parents to access live chat support from tobacco treatment experts and supportive text messages.
- Through live chat, parents can connect with a tobacco treatment expert to answer questions about e-cigarettes and personal challenges with helping their child to quit.
- Through text messaging, parents can receive up to 3 weeks of daily text messages about nicotine addiction, ways to start a conversation with their child about quitting, and on-demand support for stress.
With the EX Program, employers provide employees with resources to help their child quit vaping. To receive support, employees who are parents now simply register at BecomeAnEX.org, choose their primary reason for joining as “to help my child quit vaping,” and select their employer/sponsor.
“We take this issue very seriously due to the negative health effects vaping can have on youth and young adults,” said Megan Jacobs, managing director of product, Innovations, at Truth Initiative.
“Many parents have questions about the risks around vaping and how to help their child quit. Our program helps them be better informed dangers of vaping, benefits of quitting, and what to expect along the way,” continued Jacobs. “With our new registration process, it’s easier for parents to sign up and receive support to help their child stop.”
Since January 2019, more than 3,500 parents have subscribed to text messages. To date, 93% of parents found the program helpful.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.
Each year, more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss (often called “suicide loss survivors”) are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly.
- If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
- If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
- If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
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. 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!
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, October 15th at 6:30pm, Lincoln Police Department
(For Cumberland Residents) Tuesday, October 15th at 5:00pm, Cumberland Public Library
(For North Smithfield Residents) Thursday, October 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!