Welcome to National Prevention Week!
National Prevention Week is an annual event aimed to increase awareness of mental health and substance use disorders.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
“National Prevention Week is held each year during the third week of May—near the start of summer, an important time for school, communities, and prevention professionals to re-focus on prevention! Adolescents and full-time college students most often use substances for the first time during June or July, according to SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)…. These are key periods of social transitions, a risk factor for youth substance use, and an opportunity to develop or strengthen the community, school, and family bonds that protect young people from substance use.”
Each day in the week challenges us to examine a different aspect of mental health or substance use disorders:
Monday, May 14: Promotion of Mental Health Wellness
- Check out: Mindfulness 101
Tuesday, May 15: Prevention of Underage Drinking Alcohol Misuse
Wednesday, May 16: Prevention of Prescription Opioid Drug Misuse
- Check out: ‘All Pain is in the Brain.’ Can Opioid Use be Avoided?
- Check out: Bend with Your Knees, Not with Your… OUCH!
Thursday, May 17: Prevention of Illicit Drug Use Youth Marijuana
- Check out: Pocket Squares & Selflessness: This is What Recovery Looks Like
- Check out: “He Might Still Be Here”
Friday, May 18: Prevention of Suicide
- Check out: Hope Squads: Communities of Support
Saturday, May 19: Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use
- Check out: Tobacco-Free Campus
For more information about National Prevention Week, visit SAMHSA’s website at: https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week.