New 9-8-8 HELPLINE Coming on July 16, 2022

 

988 Helpline Is Coming Soon! - The new crisis response system will go live on July 16, 2022 to establish a three-digit universal phone number - 988 - to field calls for suicide prevention and mental health crisis. This exciting change will help reduce suicide rates and strain on emergency services and phone lines. The three numbers will be easier to remember than the regular 800 phone numbers or local numbers.

Resources to Help Keep Your Kids Busy This Summer!

 

Summer Vacation is quickly approaching and you definitely want to know what great activities are out there to keep your kids busy during their downtime. Why not provide them with a summer break to really enjoy and remember?

The good folks at Lakeland Mom have compiled a fantastic Summer Camp Guide that list camps and activities available in and around Lakeland and Polk County! 

Summer vacation can be an opportune time for kids to partake in risky behaviors so enrolling them in summer camps is a perfect opportunity for them to make friends, have fun, and learn something new while keeping them away from illegal substances. 

Visit https://lakelandmom.com/summer-camp-directory/

Mental Health Awareness: You Are Not Alone

 

InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners StandUP Polk and UthMpact remind you to prioritize Mental Health this month and all throughout the year! 

Mental Health is an important part of overall health. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Good mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence, through adulthood. 

If you're struggling, reach out to someone you trust. If someone reaches out to you, be their ally. We are all in this together!

The CDC has some great resources and info on their website at: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/

Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rally Poster, Poetry and Essay Contest Winners

2022 Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rally 
Poster, Poetry and Essay Contest Winners 

InnerAct Alliance is proud of the students who participate in the 2022 Red Ribbon Rally Poster, Poetry and Essay Contest for Fifth Grade Students. It is crucial that our community's fifth graders are armed with prevention tools and facts to prepare for the challenging middle and high school years ahead.

Participating schools submitted their students' creative poster, poetry, and essay entries a few weeks ago and winners have been selected in each contest category from each school among the entries received. 

Congratulations to the following Rally Contest Student Winners for showcasing their creative talents and conveying positive messages that most Polk County youth choose not to use drugs or alcohol or become involved in bullying:

Alta Vista
Poster Winner – Saja Hamdan
Poetry Winner – Jodi Trawick
Essay Winner – Shanisty Miller

Alturas
Poster Winner – Jonathan Lopez

Cleveland Court
Poster Winner – Niharika Swami
Poetry Winner – Izabella Rocchio
Essay Winner – Chloe Thomas

Floral Avenue
Poster Winner – Mia Castro
Poetry Winner – Leah Stepleton
Essay Winner – Kayden Cushings

Highlands Grove
Poster Winner – Halie Leaman

Lena Vista
Poster Winner – James Bornfield
Poetry Winner – Tru Furman
Essay Winner – Mayz Pierre

Lincoln Ave. Academy
Poster Winner – Julia Osborne
Essay Winner – Rashi Patel

Loughman Oaks
Poster Winner – Ivanys Diaz
Poetry Winner – Eden Ardely
Essay Winner – Adriana Romero

Floral Avenue
Poster Winner – Rylie Hendrix
Poetry Winner – Kelly Choe

McKeel Central
Poster Winner – Kinsley Mathis
Poetry Winner – Leighton Yasalonis
Essay Winner – Ashlyn Burnett

Medulla
Poster Winner – Ariana Lucas

St. Anthony Catholic
Poster Winner – Izabella Pineda-Lara
Essay Winner – Ivana Chinchilla

Scott Lake
Poster Winner – James Byrd

Sleepy Hill
Poster Winner – Kiaraly Vera
Poetry Winner – Sareth Acosta

Snively
Poster Winner – Kimberly Hernandez-Maturino
Poetry Winner – Adrian Butler

Valleyview
Poster Winner – Brooklyn Cunningham
Essay Winner – Eloise Uvanni

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall

Alturas Elementary     

Contest Winners will receive a personalized certificate and a red ribbon to signify the importance of substance abuse prevention. In addition, each participating school will also receive a check for $50 for its top winners(s) in their respective categories. 

Traditionally, Rally Contest Winners are honored at the Annual Red Ribbon Fifth Grade Rallies, however the events were not able to take place this year due to year-end and state testing obligations. Instead, student winners will be recognized at their individual schools' end of year awards ceremony or fifth grade graduation celebration. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Together for Mental Health

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month:
Together for Mental Health

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, InnerAct Alliance and our coalition partners StandUP Polk and UthMpact are joining with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) for a united message of "Together for Mental Health" to raise awareness and help reduce the stigma associated with mental health or behavioral issues.

Mental Health is an incredibly important part of overall health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe and long-lasting effects, particularly among younger people and marginalized populations. Some indicators are positive, such as the number of people who have been more open about their mental health status since the pandemic began (52% in a 2021 NAMI survey). But those statistics are far overshadowed by a growing mental health crisis that demands attention and action.

Statistics show that nearly 2 in 5 American adults experienced some type of psychological issue in 2020, compared with about 1 in 5 prior to the pandemic. Among adults with mental illness, only 46% received treatment in 2020, a number that is far lower among Black Americans (37%), Hispanic Latinx (35%), and Asian Americans (21%). Even those not in these percentiles may struggle with periods of stress or overwhelm that can challenge psychological wellness. We also know the odds are higher for those with a mental illness to turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope. 

The crisis is especially acute among youth and young adults. It is reported that 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 may experience a mental health condition each year. According to NAMI, 75% of people aged 18-24 reported at least one mental health or substance abuse concern in 2020. In 2021, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher among adolescent girls than in 2020. 

Over the past 2 years, calls to the NAMI HelpLine (1-800-950-NAMI or 6264) about depression or anxiety increased by 80%, calls about suicide increased by 185%, and calls about mental health crisis increased by 251%. The Helpline is available Monday-Friday from 10am to 10pm (ET).

988 Helpline is coming soon! The new crisis response system will go live on July 16, 2022 to establish a 3-digit universal phone number - 988 - to field calls for suicide prevention and mental health crisis. This exciting change will help reduce suicide rates and strain on emergency services and phone lines. The 3 numbers will be easier to remember than the regular 800 numbers or local numbers.

How Can You Help? Many with mental health disorders feel isolated or that no one understands what they are going through. Let your friend or loved one know that they are not alone. Encourage them to talk openly about their struggles in a safe place. Sharing information about mental wellness is also a positive way to spread awareness. You could hand out flyers containing information about local health resources at fundraisers, schools, and community events.

The more awareness we can raise during this month, the better we can influence our society to make mental health a priority. If you or someone you know is struggling, let them know that it's okay not to be okay. We are in this together and there are many support services and treatment options that may help at https://nami.org/home

InnerAct Alliance Offers an Exciting New Humane Education Program

 

InnerAct Alliance Offers an Exciting New
Humane Education Program

InnerAct Alliance is proud to have received special grant funding to provide the most effective evidence-based programs that prevent substance abuse and bullying and promote empathy and critical thinking to help youth succeed in all aspects of their lives. We are excited to offer schools and organizations in Polk County an impactful new Humane Education Program for elementary-aged children with lessons that include instruction by a humane educator using high quality; age appropriate literature, critical thinking techniques, and activities that reinforce healthy ways to interact with peers and promote animal welfare. There's also a fun option to bring live or stuffed animals in as part of the presentation and discussion to enhance learning outcome.

The Benefits of Humane Education include:

* Violence and bullying reduction by using live or stuffed animals to promote responsible, healthy decision-making skills.

* Literacy lessons with high quality literature fosters young children's natural curiosity and affinity with animals to build compassion and respect.

* Post-reading activities promote and strengthen academic engagement and prosocial behaviors of peers.

InnerAct Alliance's humane educator, Michelle Bachmeier, has been out in our community the past few months sharing educational lessons focused on kindness. Students read a story and discuss ways to communicate positively with each other and with others. Teachable moments and thoughtful discussion unfold when students are able to share feelings, talk about how everyone makes mistakes sometimes, and practice how to make wiser choices and be helpful when they encounter hurtful behavior in their classroom, on the playground, or at home.

Impactful discussions at a young age assist a child's ability to create real and interesting pathways for learning. Their positive effects may reach far beyond the classroom into the home, across our community, and throughout our world!

A special visitor from Polk County Animal Services, Rachel Padgett, was on hand for a recent Humane Education presentation offered by InnerAct Alliance to YMCA Reads students at Winston Elementary School in Lakeland. The 11-week-old female puppy who accompanied her to visit with the children is currently available for adoption. This is a special cooperative effort that teaches children to practice compassion and respect towards animals and also offers an opportunity to socialize adoptive pets with children and adults in real-life settings. Individuals or families interested in adding a new puppy, kitten, dog, or cat to their family may visit the Polk Animal Services website at https://www.polksheriff.org/animal-services.  

Another special visitor, Lekeyia Lott from Polk County Sheriff's Crime Prevention office, was also in attendance to share glow in the dark bracelets with the message "Cool to Be Kind" with program participants. 

InnerAct Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and licensed provider for substance abuse prevention in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. For information about hosting a free Humane Education Program for your school or community organization, please contact IAA's executive director, Angie Ellison, at (863) 802-0777 or email: angie.ellison@inneractalliance.org 

Spring 2022 DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Nets 1,239 lbs. of Medications

 

Spring DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back

Nets 1,239 lbs. of Medications

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back on Saturday, April 30, for Polk residents to turn in expired or unwanted human and pet medication, as well as vitamins, syringes, E-cig devices and JUULs for proper disposal.

Polk County agencies collected an estimated 1,239 pounds of pharmaceuticals that were safely disposed of via incineration: Auburndale Police Dept., Bartow Police Dept., Davenport Police Dept., Haines City Police Dept., Lake Alfred Police Dept., Lake Hamilton Police Dept., Lake Wales Police Dept., Lakeland Police Dept., and Winter Haven Police Dept.

The latest event prints the total for collections held in Polk County to 25,957.8 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals dating back to 2010. Unwanted medication may also be taken to the county's permanent drop sites, funded by the GiveWell Community Foundation in Lakeland, at the Police Department locations in Auburndale (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred (190 N. Seminole Ave, 24hrs/7days); Lake Hamilton (100 Smith Avenue, weekdays 8-5); Lakeland (219 N. Massachusetts Ave, 24hrs/7days); and Winter Haven (125 N. Lake Silver Dr NW, weekdays 8-5). Note: only solids are accepted in permanent drop boxes - no liquids or syringes. 

Medication should not be flushed to avoid harming lakes and ground water. 

StandUP Polk is a community coalition working together to prevent harm and promote health through education, public awareness, and advocacy including strategies to prevent youth substance abuse. For more information, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.

National Fentanyl Awareness Day - Tuesday, May 10, 2022

 

Join the Effort to Educate & Spread the Word
About the National Fentanyl Crisis

InnerAct Alliance is proud to partner with the coalition of issue-area experts, corporations, nonprofits, schools, families, and elected officials coming together on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 to recognize the first ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a day of action to raise public awareness about an urgent problem: people are dying at alarming rates dur to illegally made fentanyl (FEN-ta-nyl), a dangerous synthetic opioid that is odorless, tasteless, cheap, and extremely potent. 

A Few Fentanyl Facts to Know

Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under age 50 than any other cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents.

Practically all of the pills seized by law enforcement are fake and 40% contain a potentially lethal amount of fentanyl.

Fentanyl is involved in more American youth drug deaths than heroin, meth, cocaine, benzos, and Rx drugs combined.

Fake pills have been found in all 50 states. Assume any prescription medication you see online is fake including Oxycontin, Percocet, and Xanax, as well as party drugs like cocaine and MDMA.

Illegally made fentanyl is the primary driver of the recent increase in all U.S. overdose deaths.

Fentanyl-involved deaths are the fastest growing among 14-23-year-olds.

KNOWLEDGE = POWER so please encourage the citizens in our community to join the National Fentanyl Awareness Day effort, learn the facts, and know the risks about Fentanyl - www.fentanylawaressday.org.

We Appreciate Our InnerAct Alliance Prevention Specialist Team - Teacher Appreciation Week May 2 to May 6

 

WE APPRECIATE OUR INNERACT ALLIANCE

TEACHERS & PREVENTION SPECIALIST TEAM!

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

We appreciate our AWESOME InnerAct Alliance Teachers and Prevention Specialists Team who work hard each day and are dedicated to bringing knowledge and support to students and schools throughout our community. 

Over the years, these special educators have created lasting bonds and memories with students while teaching them about risky behaviors and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Their passion is at the heart of InnerAct Alliance's prevention mission!

We appreciate what you do every single day!