Injury Prevention Across North Carolina

Presented by NC Trauma Centers

Newsletter | November 2022 | Vol 3 Issue 4

Injury Prevention Across NC

The Injury Prevention Newsletter is created by Injury Prevention professionals from trauma centers across the state of North Carolina to bring resources to North Carolinians about injury prevention. The quarterly interactive newsletter will cover many injury prevention topics relevant to the current season and forecast. Unfortunately, the November 2022 edition will be the last edition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the injury prevention specialists could not get into the community, but now that it is safe to be back in communities, injury prevention specialists are making their way back to in person prevention efforts. Just like the Covid vaccine helped bring us back to the community, we will be bringing our injury prevention education to you live and in-person. "Injury Prevention is the Vaccine for Trauma," and we are bringing our trauma vaccine to you! Look for annual State Trauma Advisory Committee education across North Carolina in the months and years to come.

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National Injury Prevention Day!

November 18th is National Injury Prevention Day! Let's celebrate the injury prevention coordinators across North Carolina in their efforts to prevent community members from becoming injured.

Injuries and violence are the leading cause of death and disabilities in people 1-44 years old
Injury prevention specialists work to educate and empower communities to reduce their risks of experiencing injury.
Visit SafeStates.org for more information

Youth Suicide Prevention

According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34.

Per the 2022 Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health:

45% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year
Having at least one accepting adult in a LGBTQ+ youths can reduce this risk by 40%

Useful Links:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: National Suicide Prevention Hotline has now become 988 across the US. This is new, shorter number will make it easier for people to remember and access mental health crisis services.
You Belong Here: Funded by the North Carolina Comprehensive Suicide Prevention grant, ECU Health partnered with Pitt County SADD to create a documentary to help viewers understand LGBTQ+ experiences in the South. Response to the film has been incredible, with screening requests coming from across the state. For more information or to request a screening in your area, visit the Pitt County SADD website.
The Trevor Project Resources: With helpful tools, such as Facts about LGBTQ Youth Suicide, The Coming Out Handbook, and Black & LGBTQ: Approaching Intersectional Conversations, the Trevor Project has resources for so many topics related to LGBTQ youth and mental health. Use these and share them with your network.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of digital tools and technology to purposefully scare, anger, or shame another person. This behavior is intentional and repeated.

Cyberbullying can include spreading lies, posting embarrassing pictures or comments, sending hurtful or threatening messages, or even impersonating someone else or using a fake account to contact someone. It can occur on social media, text messaging or other messaging platforms, gaming platforms, or on any mobile device.

Cyberbullying can happen alone, or alongside in-person or face to face bullying.

There is a different between bullying and joking or teasing. Teasing or joking can be fun and even build relationships, but if the joke hurts someone's feelings or a person is being laughed at instead of laughed with, it is no longer a joke. Joking can turn into bullying if the person making the joke continues the behavior and knowingly uses the joke to hurt another person.

To learn more, visit these website or watch the video above:

Cyberbullying: What is it and how to stop it | UNICEF

StopBullying.gov

Cyberbullying - National Bullying Prevention Center (pacer.org)

Some of the previous social media challenges: Tide pod challenge, milk crate challenge, Benadryl challenge, Black out Challenge

Current challenges: Nyquil Chicken Challenge- challenged to soak a chicken breast in Nyquil, cook it and eat it, Chip Challenge-challenge to eat extremely spicy chips and not eat or drink anything after.

To learn how to talk to you kids about social media challenges, visit:

#TheSelfieTalk

Dangers of Social Media Challenges

Social media challenges are challenges posed on social media platforms that entice the viewer into taking a dare and trying something potential hurtful or threatening.

Social media challenges are heightened by peer pressure and the desire to be liked and accepted by others, as well as get likes on social media. Tik Tok, Instagram, and other social media platforms are part of teen culture, and the teen's need to go viral is part of this culture. Social media often rewards the bad choices and outrageous behaviors seen in challenges.

Some challenges can be life threatening, such as the tide pod challenge or the Benadryl challenge, where viewers are encouraged to ingest these substances. Others like the milk crate challenge, can lead to injuries from falling from stacked crates.

Tips for Building Resilience during the Holidays

The holidays can be stressful, with lots of planning, buying, cooking, and visiting. It can also be difficult if you have recently lost a loved one or had a major life change. Here are some tips for staying sane during the holidays.

Take time to plan, whether it is for travel, cooking, or holiday shopping
Make a budget and stick to it
Treat yourself-to a small gift, a nap, your favorite dessert-you deserve it!
Create celebrations that work for you-no matter your belief, religion, or family, make it work for you.
Reach out to others, include family and friends, or just call to say hi
Delegate tasks or planning activities to others also.
Avoid over-indulgence. It is good to enjoy life, but not to the point of overindulgence-moderation is key!

Older Adult Driving Safety Awareness Week- December 5-9, 2022

The first week of December each year is recognized as Older Driver Safety Awareness Week by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Share resources available to older drivers and their families within your networks to promote safety behind the wheel.

Each day of the week is designated by a different theme around older driver safety:

Mon, 12/5: Driving changes that continue safety & independence

Tues, 12/6: Let’s talk about driving

Wed, 12/7: What does OT have to do with driving?

Thurs, 12/8: Interventions that empower drivers & families

Fri, 12/9: Finding new ways to engage in the community

One program that supports older drivers in driving safely is CarFit, which focuses on safety, comfort, and fit within their vehicle. Duke Trauma & UNC Trauma created a video in 2020 demonstrating the steps of the CarFit Self-Assessment Tool. Please share this video and assessment tool widely, especially during the first week of December to help increase awareness of older driver safety

Vaping

Vaping is the use of an electronic cigarette, made of an atomizer, a battery, and a cartridge that holds the vapor that is inhaled. It is considered safer than a cigarette, but it is not safe. Vapes contain over 7,000 chemicals that can affect the heart and lungs, and it associated with lung disease. It is highly addictive and often enticing to younger generations, as it offers various flavors of vapes that appeal to young kids and teens.

Young people can sign up for this self-paced program by texting “DITCHVAPE” to 88709. There is a low level of effort required on behalf of schools/adults but student reach can be high. This program is anonymous and meets students where they are (the phone) but does not provide more in depth support that may be needed for some students. It is recommended that schools and adults help to promote the program. There are free flyers that can be printed off from the website and put up around school, shared with students, etc. The ideal age for this program would be 9^th grade and older.

Truth Initiative’s This is Quitting Text Messaging Program: https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting.