Community Wellness – We Are Stronger (and Healthier!) Together

COMMUNITY

From Wellness Interactive Branding, LLC.

Smoking Cessation Programs

The use of tobacco continues to be a major health problem. For example, in Nebraska alone, 48 people per week die from smoking-attributable causes. States are working hard to combat the devastating effects of tobacco use with smoking cessation programs funded by health departments and backed by the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

These programs include education, support, and resources that can cover all forms of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping. Some counties are providing additional encouragement to reduce the use of cigarettes and similar products by administering tobacco-free zones across government facilities, and beyond.

Suicide Prevention

Support and education are so important to our mental health. In an increasingly digital-focused society, it is much easier for people to feel isolated and alone. Depression, PTSD, and other areas of psychological health can be very difficult to deal with by ourselves, so it is incredibly important for there to be multiple resources when it comes to preventing suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S., there is one death by suicide every 13 minutes — and it is the second leading cause of death of people ages 15 to 34.

Talking about mental health and addressing depression at an individual and community level helps people every day. The University of Wisconsin-Stout recently partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for an Out of the Darkness Campus Walk to raise money to help bring suicide awareness and prevention programs to schools at both the local and national levels. These walks are held across the country. Shining a light on mental health brings people together to provide much-needed resources for teens and adults alike.

Celebrating Birthing Centers

The birth of a baby is a joyous thing. As the healthcare system is becoming more strained, communities are responding by opening birthing centers and even teaching classes on how to open one. Unfortunately, rural access to quality healthcare is decreasing with the closing of hospitals and similar medical facilities across the country.

Addressing the issue of access, as well as the often high costs of having a baby, a wonderful example of community involvement is the Changing Woman Initiative in New Mexico, where the country’s first Native birthing facility is planned to be constructed north of Santa Fe. The Changing Woman Initiative “seeks to draw on cultural strengths to renew indigenous birth knowledge and healing through holistic approaches and community empowerment. It is focused on developing a culturally centered reproductive wellness and birth center.”

Help After Natural Disasters

Dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster is physically, as well as emotionally, challenging. From wildfires to hurricanes, these events are life-changing — bringing unique challenges to individuals and families far and wide. After the devastating Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow, the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness added California Hope 805, a community wellness center focusing on mental health, to support people affected by the natural disaster. Some of the areas of focus include:

Addressing and mitigating stress, anxiety, and depression — and providing coping strategies
Providing help in reviewing disaster recovery options
Assisting people in understanding their current situation and reactions
Offering emotional support
Encouraging use of other community resources
Supporting healing and building resilience

Activities and additional resources are often available in libraries, home improvement stores, cafes, shopping centers, and special community events in impacted neighborhoods. If you or someone you care about has been affected by a natural disaster, community resources can help you deal with this life-changing event.

Stronger Together

You know that old saying, “There is strength in numbers”? That is absolutely true. Community wellness programs facilitated and managed by incredible leaders across the country (and globe!) bring people together every day. A strong and healthy community makes a strong and healthy state, and collaboratively, a strong country as well.

The above highlights of some of the most recent happenings in community wellness are just a small sampling of the kinds of resources that are available. From quitting smoking to helping people cope after a natural disaster, diverse solutions are out there to help improve our overall health. Tackling tough problems together not only makes us stronger and healthier as individuals— it facilitates long-term friendships that make an incredible impact on your community as a whole — and exponentially, society too. The important thing to know is that you are not alone. Seek out the resources you need to truly thrive.

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