spotlight

Mental Health America's 2024 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit provides practical resources to help guide your organization’s awareness efforts and help individuals navigate mental health stigma, bridge generational differences, dismantle mental health myths, and encourage meaningful conversations.

Get your free toolkit!

Webinars will be held on July 18 and July 23 on the topics of: bridging generational gaps and healing justice. Expert panels will bring perspective and lived experience to these conversations. Learn more about our speakers and sign up. MHA’s BIPOC Mental Health Resource Center has new content and a new (and improved) look and feel! Check it out!

harm reduction

REPORTED XYLAZINE USE AMONG ADULTS AGES 18+ EVALUATED FOR SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT JULY 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 2023

Among adults reporting illegally manufactured fentanyl or heroin use recently or as their primary lifetime substance-use problem, those reporting xylazine use reported a median of two past nonfatal overdoses from any drug compared with a median of one overdose among those who did not report xylazine use; as well, higher percentages of persons who reported xylazine use reported other recent substance use and polysubstance use. Provision of nonjudgmental care and services, including naloxone, wound care, and linkage to and retention of persons in effective substance use treatment, might reduce harms including overdose among persons reporting xylazine use.

prevention

LET'S TALK: A SCIENCE OF THE POSITIVE APPROACH TO COMMUITY CONVERSATIONS

This free training will be offered virtual and is open to everyone, so you are encouraged to share this opportunity widely within your coalition and community networks. Transformational leadership is one of the essential skills of the Science of the Positive Framework. Central to this unique leadership framework is the process of ‘hearing and steering’ public narratives, which begins with one-on-one conversations. While formal marketing and communications such as mission statements and policies are effective, it is often during conversations – in meetings, in school hallways, or sitting in the bleachers next to another parent – that a leader actually leads. These conversations are where misperceptions of norms can be challenged and shifted.

Based upon the Seven Core Principles of the Science of the Positive, this training will equip coalition/team/community members with skills to effectively facilitate these important conversations. In this highly interactive training, participants will be given opportunities to learn and practice these essential skills. We look forward to seeing many of you there and encourage you to register using the link below as soon as possible.

DETAILS

This training takes place July 23, 2024, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM ET VIA ZOOM

Questions? Contact Emelie Trayah emilie@adcare-educational.org

recovery

RESEARCH STUDY OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE IN EARLY RECOVERY: UP TO $200 IN COMPENSATION

Help us better understand recovery from alcohol and drug problems and receive up to $200. You may be eligible to participate if:

• You are over 18
• Recently started a new recovery attempt

What does the study involve?

• 4 telephone visits over the next 12 months
• Visits are 1–3 hours each

Participation is confidential. For more information, call (617) 726-8750 or email recoverycenterstudy@mgh.harvard.edu

treatment

TRAINING: FAMILY MEMBERS AND ADDICTION TREATMENT OUTCOMES: APPLYING RESEARCH TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Stigma about mental health and substance use is strong at any age, but particularly among the current cohort of older adults. The E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging is dedicated to decreasing stigma around the experience of these issues and around getting effective treatment. One way we are doing this is by listening to older adults about their experience of mental health and substance use, treatment, and life after treatment through video. We intend to use these videos to start conversations in classrooms, communities, and homes.

In the words of Stamp Out Stigma, the program that inspired this work, “This campaign challenges each of us to transform the dialogue on mental health and addiction from a whisper to a conversation.” Won’t you join us for a conversation? If you or someone you know would like to make a video through our simple online platform or host a stigma conversation, please contact the E4 Center at  E4Center@Rush.edu.

upcoming community events

COFFEE WITH CLEANSLATE

CleanSlate is hosting a "Coffee with CleanSlate" at our Plymouth Location on Thursday July 25th from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM!

Please join us for coffee, networking, and an opportunity to meet our dedicated team. We have exciting updates to share about our services and would love to hear any updates about your organizations as well. Don't forget your business cards! You will have the opportunity to be entered in to win a raffle prize.

Questions? Contact Alexis Flaherty: (413) 409-0867 aflaherty@cleanslatecenters.com

JOIN US FOR OUR PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL WORKSHOP: BOUNDARIES IN GRIEF

It is no secret that grief changes our entire lives, world, and relationships. The people in our lives may at times cause us pain and distress. Boundaries are crucial to mitigating such emotions. For many, boundaries sound great in theory, but implementation can be confusing and intimidating.

Join us for our July workshop on Boundaries in Grief to discuss when, why, and how we can each work to set boundaries to improve our well-being and relationships. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM ET. 

Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org.  

INDEPENDENCE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

As part of Independence House’s commitment to social justice and ensuring inclusivity and culturally informed programs and services for all Cape residents, the agency is presenting the 5th annual International Festival as an extension of outreach to the general public and the cultural and underserved communities on Cape Cod.

Attendees of the festival will be able to learn and take away information about immigrant-friendly organizations and resources that are available on Cape Cod and also extend over the bridge. This family-friendly event will also embrace the music, food and art of many cultures. The International Festival’s goal is to ensure that all communities on Cape Cod are recognized and offered opportunities to enhance their livelihoods.

IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FESTIVAL RAIN DATE WILL BE JULY 21. IF THE FESTIVAL IS POSTPONED, SPONSORS, VENDORS AND NON-PROFITS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL. ADDITIONALLY, ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE POSTED TO WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES.

SAVE THE DATE: REAL TALK

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, October 10th

Behavioral Health Innovators (BHI) and The Quell Foundation present "Lift the Mask" documentary and interviews on mental and behavioral health for our Cape Cod youth.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend: students, school staff, parents, grandparents, and everyone interested in our youth. We want to hear your voices!

CAPE ORGANIZATION FOR RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED (CORD) TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD PROGRAMMING

Driving to Success

Do you have or know a teenager on an IEP or who has a disability looking to ace their Learner’s Permit exam? Call CORD now to sign up for their free Driving to Success Permit Test Preparation Course starting on August 2nd. The course will run every Monday and Friday in August. This course will help prepare future drivers with disabilities to pass their learner’s permit exam. Some topics covered include road safety, road signs and signals, tips and tricks for passing the exam, and so much more. If you’d like to learn more about CORD’s Driving to Success course, give Marissa a call at (508) 775-8300. Please note all classes are scent free. Please RSVP or ask for communication access by July 22, 2024. 

Parent Support Group

Do you have a high school student on an IEP or who has a disability? Are you worried about what comes next after high school? Do you want to meet other parents and guardians with similar concerns? Join CORD’s parent support group to get information and to share tips on navigating this time in your child’s life. The support group will be held every third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Attend in person at CORD, 765 Attucks Lane in Hyannis or join us online – we’ll send you the link. Call (508) 775-8300 or email marissa@cilcapecod.org to RSVP or to request communication access. Please note that CORD is a scent-free office. Please refrain from wearing scented products.

Transition Workshop

Do you have a middle school student who has an IEP or a disability? Are they entering high school this fall? This is a critical transition point in their lives. Come join CORD on August 28th from 5:30 PM – 8:15 PM at CORD’s office in Hyannis and learn what to expect during the high school years. Listen to educational advocates talk about what changes when your middle schooler becomes a high schooler. Hear from other speakers on high school life and learn how CORD can help you and your child – for free! There will be crafts available for the kids along with pizza. Call Marissa at (508) 775-8300 to RSVP. Request communication access by August 21st. CORD is a scent free office. Please refrain from wearing scented products.

food resources

FOOD ACCESS CAPE COD

Be sure to download our Cape & Islands Food Access Resource Guide! This publication is updated regularly by the Barnstable County Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and contains all the information you need for food accessibility.

network of care

The Barnstable County Department of Human Services’ Network of Care (NOC) SERVICE DIRECTORY website, is a robust local health and human services directory with resources for individuals, families, and agencies on Cape Cod with public health questions and concerns.

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