Concerned About a Friend? - YOU Can Make a Difference!

As May’s Mental Health Month draws to a close, we join our prevention partners at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to remind everyone that it’s never too late to make a difference in the lives of our family members and friends. 

In honor of Mental Health month and continuing year-round, take that next step and start the conversation with someone you may be concerned about. It may not be an easy conversation but it’s important to reach out - it could be precisely the encouragement they need to seek help. 

Here are some easy conversation starter suggestions from SAMHSA to offer support…

Remember and Honor Those Who Served This Memorial Day

 

Happy Memorial Day!

As we enjoy the long weekend celebrating with barbecues and fun in the sun, let’s also remember and honor those who have served our country.

Thank a Veteran and show our appreciation and support to the families
 of those who have served or lost a loved one during our nation's wars. 

They paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy the freedom we have.


Remember & Honor

💝😎💙

Helpful Tips for Summer Skin Protection during National Sun Safety Week

 

As we head into the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, let's all remember to practice sun safety and summer skin protection during National Safe Sun Week! 😎

Embrace the start of the good ol' summertime but also heed the advice of health professionals who remind us of some of the best practices to follow when it comes to sun exposure to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy as they enjoy the spoils of the warm weather. 🌞

It only takes a few minutes to protect ourselves from the sun's damaging rays that can lead to skin cancer, which affects people of all skin tones.

Mental Health Awareness Moment – Reach Out to Support Each Other!

 

As we enter Week 4 of Mental Health Awareness Month during May, let’s set our sights on encouraging those in need to seek help if they need it and to support others by offering kind words of encouragement. Most of all, let’s take time to celebrate our small successes each day!

Supporting each other is easy and it can mean so much:

*Be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues so we can all work together to support one another

*If you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of someone you know, there are resources and people out there who are willing to help, no matter what your situation may be.

*When we share resources, encourage others to seek help, or simply are there for someone when they need us, we instill hope and can help each other to reach out when help is most needed.

We See You

We Hear You

We Support You on Your Journey to Mental Health and Wellness

There’s help if you need it – Just Call – Text – or Chat 988

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

For the past 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (NHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being.

Help is readily available by calling or texting 988 or chat at https://988lifeline.org. To get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support. To locate treatment facilities or providers, visit https://findtreatment.gov/ or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).

 

InnerAct Alliance Proud Recipient of an Empower Polk Grant from GiveWell Community Foundation

 

InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, are proud recipients of an Empower Polk grant from The GiveWell Community Foundation. The GiveWell Community Foundation's Empower Polk grant cycle aims to assist local nonprofits to better fulfill their mission and continue supporting the community. 

Statistics continue to show that prevention education helps young people learn the facts and skills needed to act responsibly and avoid becoming the next substance abuse statistic. Funding from the Empower Polk grant will allow InnerAct Alliance to initiate exciting new avenues of communication to inform about available science-based preveniton programs and create an educational podcast to share important substance abuse facts, social norms, and topical issues that face the Lakeland and Polk County community. 

"As a licensed substance abuse prevention provider in the state of Florida, InnerAct Alliance is committed to impacting our community in a positive way. We are extremely grateful for the support of the GiveWell Community Foundation to assist with our agency's "Telling the Story" project to further prevention efforts and better inform and educate our community," said Angie Ellison, executive director of InnerAct Alliance.

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and licensed provider for substance abuse prevention in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties since 1985. The agency’s mission is to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. Efforts to serve the community include providing science-based education programs to nearly 15,000 students in 70 elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as outreach to over 100,000 citizens via informative presentations, a premier youth leadership program, teen-driven social norms marketing, and family-oriented awareness events including the Annual Red Ribbon Campaign and motivational rallies for fifth grade students. 

For additional information, please contact InnerAct Alliance’s Executive Director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777. To learn more about the GiveWell Community Foundation, please visit their website at https://www.givecf.org/

InnerAct Alliance Representing at Leadercast Lakeland May 17, 2023

 

The InnerAct Alliance Prevention Staff continues to show their amazing commitment to prevention and education and today was no different as several of our prevention specialists and teachers attended the 2023 Leadercast Lakeland event on Tuesday, May 17 at Polk State College’s Lakeland Campus. 

The theme of this year’s one-day leadership event was “Human Intelligence” and the focus was on the power of becoming great leaders by developing trust and empathy.

Attendees enjoyed an incredible lineup of professionals who spoke on topics including leadership, creating positive workplaces, growth, and more. 

Pictured above are: Michelle B., Katrina C., Stacey R., Tammy C., Amy T., Susan W., and Cindy F. of the IAA Staff.

Thank you Ladies for all you do!

 

Lessons to Learn from Life’s Classroom

Learning is the biggest lesson in life. And it is essential for anyone who wants to succeed. 

Be open minded: the more we learn and experience, the better the type of world we can attract for ourselves and those around us. The best thing we can do each day is keep growing and evolving because this helps us live our lives to the fullest potential.

Love this colorful Lessons from Life’s Classroom graphic from @Positively Present that reminds us of the importance of being mindful of the lessons we can learn each day to enhance our experiences. One of my favorite suggestions is “Measure Your Progress By Your Own Rules” – there’s more than one right way, so find the way that’s right for YOU!

Life really is one big classroom so become a student of your own life. Look around because everything in your life is trying to teach you something. It may not always be easy but look for signs you are moving in the right direction and keep at it. You deserve to LIVE LIFE to its fullest! 

 

New Study Shows the Link Between Cannabis Use Disorder & Schizophrenia

 

Marijuana use has increased considerably over the last decade and its effects continue to cause concern. In a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) study published earlier this month in Psychological Magazine, researchers found a connection between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia, citing that young men may be at the highest risk for developing schizophrenia from cannabis abuse.

Data from the last 5 decades was used in part of the study analysis. It showed that 30% of schizophrenia cases involving 21-to-30-year-old men could be prevented by averting cannabis use disorder – conditions that are treatable but can “profoundly impact people’s lives.” Common symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, delusions, though disorder, and movement disorder.

According to NIDA Director and study co-author Dr. Nora Volkow, “The entanglement of substance use disorders and mental illnesses is a major public health issue, requiring urgent action and support for people who need it. As access to potent cannabis products continues to expand, it is crucial that we also expand prevention, screening, and treatment for people who may experience mental illnesses associated with cannabis use.”

Marijuana use among young adults is increasing. In 2011, fewer than 30% of adults ages 19-30 said they used marijuana at some point during the year; however, numbers grew to over 40% by 2021. National Institutes of Health data also confirms that the percentage of daily cannabis users aged 19-30 has nearly doubled, from 6% in 2011 to 11% in 2021.

Researchers and scientists recommend that public education campaigns be directed at increasing awareness of the health risks of cannabis. This is just one more reason why parents, caregivers, and educators must continue important conversations with children about the risks of using marijuana and other drugs. Prevention Education can help young people learn the facts and skills needed to help them act responsibly and avoid becoming the next substance abuse statistic.

 

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to Mothers of All Kinds!

 

Celebrating All Moms this Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 14, 2023

 

In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May – this year's date is Sunday, May 14th.

Mothers are honored as protectors and nourishers of children, and by extension, of all humanity. Long before Americans celebrated Mother’s Day, people in Europe honored mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent on Mothering Day. During the Middle Ages, women laborers, apprentices, servants, and those who worked as domestic servants would be given the day off to return to their mothers and the “mother” church. Family reunions were held, with sons and daughters assuming all household duties and preparing a special dinner on honor of their mother.

No need to go to a store and buy a gift – Mother’s love gifts from the heart like handmade cards and drawings or a flower picked from the garden. You could make a coupon book for her with special things like help with household chores, washing her car, breakfast in bed, or a family movie night where she gets to choose what to watch. She will love whatever you give her because it’s from YOU!

Let’s honor the women who raised us because they make sacrifices for us each and every day and nurture our families and communities.

Happy Mother’s Day to the

wonderful ladies on our IAA Staff

& our Board of Directors.

We appreciate all you do for the

prevention effort each day!

And, special thanks to April and our friends at LakelandMom.com for suggesting some awesome ideas for things to do in and around Lakeland this Mother's Day Weekend:

https://lakelandmom.com/mothers-day/

InnerAct Alliance in the Community - Watermelon Festival at Bonnet Springs Park

 

 

A Good Time was had by all at the Watermelon Festival 🍉hosted by the Florida Children’s Museum and the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County at Bonnet Springs Park last weekend. Families gathered together to enjoy music, activities, free watermelon, and more.

InnerAct Alliance staff helped kids color flower crafts and make cute friendship bracelets while parents learned about our agency's free prevention programs for the community. Everyone enjoyed the stories read by our Humane Educator, Michelle, that help youngsters learn how to treat others - humans and animals alike - with kindness and respect!

Mental Health Awareness Moment - You Are More Than Enough!

 

Mental Health Care IS Health Care

Help is readily available

nami.org/help

#MoreThanEnough

National Prevention Week May 7 – May 13, 2023 - “Talk. They Hear You.”

 

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, alcohol continues to be the most widely misused substance among our nation’s young people. And in recent years, other drugs such as marijuana and prescription pain medication have also become increasingly prevalent among youth.

Over 80 percent of young people aged 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision about whether or not to drink alcohol or experiment with other substances. Yet many parents do not have these important conversations. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to support local youth, InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, are pleased to partner with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Free America Foundation during National Prevention Week May 7 – May 13, 2023 to encourage and guide parents and caregivers to engage in important conversations with young people about the risks of underage substance use.

One of the major goals of substance abuse prevention programs is to delay the age of onset of substance use – the earlier you start talking to children about the risks of using alcohol and other drugs, the better. Initiatives like SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” help to place useful resources in the hands of parents and caregivers, educators, and community members to offer the knowledge and skills they need to talk to children. Recently, the campaign has expanded its messaging beyond alcohol education to also include other substances, such as marijuana and prescription drugs, to help reduce and prevent underage use.

“Talk. They Hear You” campaign materials are now available on the SAMHSA website at www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov.

“Although alcohol is the most commonly used substance by teens, the good news is that local efforts to educate youth on the risks and consequences of substance misuse are showing signs of success. Teen alcohol use numbers continue to drop each year – in fact, the most recent Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) shows that 83% of Polk Teens DO NOT use Alcohol,” said Angie Ellison, executive director of InnerAct Alliance, “but our education efforts must continue.”

To stay updated on local substance abuse prevention issues affecting our community and learn how to find valuable information and helpful resources, follow InnerAct Alliance on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance and check out our online blog https://inneractblogtownhallmeeting.blogspot.com/.

We Appreciate Our Teachers!

 

We Appreciate Our InnerAct Alliance Teachers &
Prevention Specialist Team    

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to thank all of the amazing educators who provide support, love, and care to students each day. 

InnerAct Alliance is a licensed provider for substance abuse prevention in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties providing science-based substance abuse and bullying prevention programs that serve elementary, middle, and high school students in nearly 70 schools.

We especially want to thank the awesome InnerAct Alliance Teachers and Prevention Specialist team who work hard each day to share knowledge and support with students and schools throughout our community to help youth grow up safe, healthy, and drug-free.

May is Mental Health Month - Look Around, Look Within

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This effort, which was begun by Mental Health America (MHA) in 1949, encourages us to Look Around, Look Within to focus on how the world around us affects our sense of well-being. 

InnerAct Alliance is proud to celebrate Mental Health Month to help raise awareness of individual and community mental health, reduce stigma, share resources, and suggest proactive steps to support well-being. We know the odds are higher for those with a mental illness to turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope.

Mental Health is an incredibly important part of overall health and well-being. The world around us can be both positive and negative – creating joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. Our overall health is significantly impacted by our natural and built environment: the places we live, work, play, and congregate, as well as economic stability and social connections, all have a powerful influence on our well-being.

While we often consider these environmental factors to be “social determinants of health” (SDOH) that relate more to physical health, it makes sense to consider the effects of our environment on our mental health as well. The more these factors work in our favor, the more likely we are to experience better well-being. Conversely, when it seems like the world is working against us, mental health can suffer.

We can all benefit from more stable environments, building strong communities, and available access to needed services. 

Here are some proactive steps suggested by Mental Health America to help change our spaces and protect our well-being. 

• Work toward securing safe & stable housing: This can be challenging due to finances, age, and other reasons, but you can reach out to state/local agencies about secure housing, remove safety hazards in the home, or find another space (perhaps a community center or friend’s home) where you can get the comfort you are missing at home.

• Focus on your home: Consider keeping your space tidy, sleep-friendly, and well-ventilated. Surround yourself with items that help you to feel calm and positive.

• Create bonds with your neighborhood and community: Get to know the people living around you. Join or start a neighbors-helping-neighbors group, and support local businesses to challenge gentrification.

• Connect with nature: Go for a hike, sit in a city park, bring a plant inside, or keep the shades open to absorb natural light.

Help is just a call or click away:  If you are taking steps to improve your surroundings but are still struggling with issues such as depression or anxiety, it’s more common than you may think. The good news is that it is treatable. Free private screenings are available  on the MHA website at https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/ to help figure out what is going on and determine the next important steps to seek help. More great resources for support services and treatment can be found on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website https://namiorg/home. 

We are in this together! By raising awareness during Mental Health Month, we can influence our society to make mental health a priority. Help is available to talk about life's struggles in a safe place. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 free and confidential support for those in distress, along with prevention and crisis resources.

Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InnerActAlliance and on our online blog https://inneractblogtownhallmeeting.blogspot.com/ to stay up-to-date on mental health awareness, local substance abuse prevention issues, information, and resources.     

Come see IAA at the Watermelon Festival this Saturday, May 6

 

Spending time with your children taking part in fun activities and attending community events together can strengthen family bonds that may positively impact their decision not to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. In fact, there's a great family-friendly event coming up in Lakeland this weekend!

Join us at Bonnet Springs Park on Saturday May 6, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, to enjoy the Watermelon Festival, presented by Florida Children's Museum and the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County. Enjoy FREE activities on the Great Lawn including live music, lawn activities, free watermelon slices, and more...then explore the museum - only pay what you can.

Stop by the InnerAct Alliance display table on the Great Lawn to say "hello" and pick up some cool giveaways, informative brochures, and kids can partake in a fun craft! Our humane educator will read to children throughout the day with fun stories that teach youngsters how to treat humans and animals with kindness and respect.

See you at Bonnet Springs Park on Saturday! 🍉 Visit the Florida Children's Museum website for more info: https://explorefcm.org/event/watermelon-festival/

Mental Health Awareness Moment - Help Is Available

 

1 in 5 Adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year.
Less than half of them receive treatment.

We are in this together - You are not alone. 

Help is Available: nami.org/help

#MoreThanEnough

Make May Self-Care Your Mission this Month

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there’s no better way to support health and well-being than by taking time to care for ourselves! Ultimately, when we take care of ourselves and our own needs, that’s when we are able to show up for all of the other people and responsibilities in our lives.

Our Mission for May should be focusing on what makes us feel nourished and what helps ease feelings of stress and anxiety. 💖

You can’t help but feel inspired by the ideas in this colorful graphic from Positively Present that are perfect in their simplicity – buy the flowers 🌷🌸 – text an old pal 📱 – find home within yourself 🐢

Something that always makes me feel good is to “Spruce Up Your Space” – it doesn’t have to be full-out spring cleaning. Perhaps add a splash of color with new throw pillows, paint an accent wall, pick up a cute little décor piece for a shelf or tv cabinet. Even a new kitchen or bath towel!

It feels good to feel good, so choose even one little thing you can do (or more!) that makes you smile during the month of May! 😊

MAY is Mental Health Awareness Month

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! The 2023 theme from Mental Health America (MHA) is Look Around, Look Within. 

The world around us can be both positive and negative - bringing joy and sadness, hope and anxiety. As humans, our overall health is significantly impacted by our natural and built environment. The places we live, work, play, and congregate all have a powerful influence on our well-being. It makes sense to consider their effects on our mental health.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, InnerAct Alliance will share some of the practical resources offered by Mental Health America on how to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage you to support your own mental health as well as the health of those in your community. We can do that by learning about how to create mentally healthy and safe spaces and how to alter or change our surroundings to better support mental health.

A few suggestions to incorporate in your daily activities this week may be:

* Try to find 15 minutes to get some sunlight - if that isn't an option, use a daylight lamp or a blue light lamp when you spend all day indoors.

* Create a "favorite things" corner, basket, or space with pictures of people/things you love, textures that bring you joy, or your favorite color.

* Remember that your mind and body are connected. Use your space to assist you with physical movement - find a good spot to stretch, practice yoga, or other exercises you can do at home.

* Write down affirmations or notes that you can look at throughout the day. These could go in your home or car to serve as reminders as you go about your day. 

* Play music instead of watching TV when you have downtime at home.

Learn more about how your environment impacts your mind and what you can do about it by visiting https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month

Highlighting One of Our UthMpact Leaders of Tomorrow – Brianna Castano

 

Today is National Leaders of Tomorrow Day and InnerAct Alliance would like to take opportunity to highlight one of our UthMpact Leaders, Brianna Castano, who has served as an intern for InnerAct Alliance this year. 

We asked Brianna some questions about her goals for the future now that she is graduating high school. Please read her answers below. 

Q1 - What college have you chosen to attend and what do you plan to study?

A1 - Starting in the fall, I will be attending the University of Central Florida as a data science major.

Q2 - In your chosen field of study, is there an opportunity for you to become a leader? 

A2 - There are definitely opportunities. Data scientists work in teams and I could potentially lead a team on a project.

Q3 - You've been part of UthMpact for a logn time, and you've also been such a tremendous help here in the office! What experience have you gained from being in UthMpact and interning at InnerAct Alliance?

A3 - I have done a lot of things I never thought a high schooler would. I attend meetings, write grant applications, speak on the news, serve as a receptionist; heck, I've even been to jail (on a tour, I wasn't arrested). Through these things and more, I learned how to do a lot of things as well as build on soft skills. My people and communication skills have greatly improved. However, the biggest thing I will be taking away from my time at UthMpact and InnerAct Alliance is a greater sense of confidence. Before joining UthMpact, if the attention was on me, my face would be tomato red. Before interning, I dreaded answering the phone. Those things don't bother me anymore. Being placed in all these new places, situations, and tasks and having to figure it out more-than-less on my own, has grown my confidence in that I'm capable of figuring out whatever life throws at me.  

Q4 - In your chosen field of study, what is your goal? Is there something in particular that you want to accomplish within your field of study?

A4 - At the moment, I barely know what I'm getting myself into. I don't understand data science enough yet to have goals for myself in the field. Ideally, I'd like to use my findings to do good and not just increase profits. However, I know that in the future I want to encourage and mentor girls in STEM. In STEAM and advanced classes, it wasn't uncommon for me to be one of only a few girls. Even a decade later, I still remember being the only girl in a line of boys receiving a math trophy. My goal, I suppose, will be to encourage other girls who are interested in STEM and help them to excel.

Congratuations Brianna & all our UthMpact Leaders!

We know you will continue to do big things!!

Tips for Hosting Safe Teen Parties

 

Parents, are you posting a prom, graduation, birthday, or end of the school year party soon for your pre-teen or teen? There are many pressures drawing youth to unhealthy behaviors with drugs 💊, alcohol 🍺, and cigarettes .

Statistics show that the median age at which children begin drinking is 12 (NIDA, 2022). We know that young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21. Approximately 4,300 children die each year of underage-drinking related causes.

Our prevention partners at Informed Families offer tips like those shown in the graphic above to help parents guide their teens in celebrating responsibly. Their Safe Homes Smart Parties campaign addresses pressures and helps adults to be aware and set firm guidelines surrounding acceptable choices and behaviors, especially during this time of celebrations.

Safe Homes, Smart Parties is a statewide initiative developed by Informed Families and implemented by parents of teens and preteens to ensure that drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes will not be permitted at parties held at their homes and discouraged at parties in the community. 

Informed Families offers an informative YouTube video https://youtu.be/pq4TNbgZkzw and other helpful tips on their website at https://www.informedfamilies.org/campaigns/safe-homes-smart-parties

#InformedFamilies #RedRibbonWeek #SHSP #Prevention #Education #Advocacy #DrugFree #FloridaPartnership#RedRibbonWeek #SHSP #CommonSense #teenparty #party #teenpartyideas #tipsandtricks