National Prevention Week 2019

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((Scroll down to discover events & resources))

National Prevention Week (NPW) is an annual week-long observance—created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)—that serves to increase public awareness and promote action by individuals, organizations, and communities around mental and/or substance use disorders. (For more information on National Prevention Week, visit: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week)

Discover more about these listed resources and more at KAN-I HELP.

Day 1:

Monday, May 13th:

The Pledge for Life Partnership’s Life Education Center team challenges you to remember these 4 key messages:

  • Safe Use: Take medications exactly as prescribed.
  • Safe Storage: Store prescription drugs in locked and secure locations.
  • Safe Disposal: Properly dispose of unused medications.
  • Spread the Word: Promote safe medication practices and teach others to do the same.

Discover more about these 4 messages for prescription drug abuse prevention at: www.pledgeforlife.org/rxprevention/

Online Resources: 

Local Resources: 

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet – Kankakee, IL
Website: https://catholiccharitiesjoliet.org/
Phone: 815.933.7791
Provides counseling and addiction services to Kankakee and Iroquois counties and beyond.

Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center  – Kankakee, IL
Website: www.duanedean.org
Phone: 815.939.0125
Provides outpatient substance abuse treatment.

Day 2:

Tuesday, May 14th:

The Pledge for Life Partnership’s Youth Advisory Council asks students to #bekindtothemind


Help spread the movement by sharing a post stating, “I would rather choose (________) than underage drinking. #bekindtothemind”

Online Resources:

Local Resources: 

T.I.P. The Scale – Iroquois County
Website: http://www.tipthescale.org/
Visit Online: https://www.facebook.com/TIPtheScale.org/
TIP the Scale is a communication campaign aimed at parents to stop underage drinking in Iroquois County. TIP stands for Talking Improves Parenting. Our goal is to encourage parents to do their part to help TIP the Scale to stop underage drinking in Iroquois County by:

  • talking to their teens about not drinking alcohol
  • letting their teens know that underage drinking is both illegal and harmful
  • and not providing alcohol for teens.

Resolve Center- Iroquois Mental Health – Manteno, IL
Phone: 815.468.3241
Provides substance abuse treatment in both inpatient and outpatient treatment formats.

Alcoholics Anonymous– Bradley, IL
Website: www.kankakee-aa.org/
Phone: 815.939.4996
Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope that they may help others to recover from alcoholism.

Day 3:

Wednesday, May 15th:

Online Resources: 

Local Resources: 

Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, Inc. – Kankakee, IL
Website: www.AuntMarthas.org
Phone: 815.937.5413
Counseling center provides comprehensive, community-based programs for children, youth, and families, encouraging them to become self-sufficient members of the community.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana
Website: https://learnaboutsam.org
Hosts initiatives to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.

Day 4:

Thursday, May 16th:

Online Resources: 

Local Resources: 

Kankakee County Health Department – (Freedom From Smoking program)
Phone: 815.802.9395
Website: http://www.kankakeehealth.org/health-promotion/smoking-cessation.html
Kankakee County Health Department offers the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking (FFS) Program.  Trained professionals teach the program. Program participants will meet once a week for seven weeks. On week four, (QUIT week), participants meet twice.

Illinois Tobacco Quitline
Website: www.quityes.org
Phone: 1-866-Quit-Yes (1.866.784.8937)
The Illinois Tobacco Quitline is a free telephonic or phone resource for individuals wanting to quit tobacco or tobacco-related products.

Tobacco-Free Kids
Website: www.tobaccofreekids.org
ICMHP is a statewide group of individuals working to provide easier access to programs and services that meet the mental health needs of Illinois children and their families.

Day 5:

Friday, May 17th:

#WhoIsMyGoTo Challenge & Teen Mental Health Summit
In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the Pledge for Life Partnership Life Education Center, in collaboration with Project SUN, hosted a Meeting of the Minds: Teen Mental Health and Wellness Summit. Students from 10 area high schools attended. (Click here to read more)

Recognizing the importance of having a healthy support system, we encourage you to post a picture of your “go to” on Instagram, following instructions in the flier attached below.

Other Local Events:

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
– Date & Time: May 17th from 8AM – 4:30 PM
– Location: Adventure Commons – 70 Ken Hayes Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
– Hosted By: The Samuel R. Myers Foundation for Suicide and Mental Health Awareness

LOSS – Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide
– Date & Time: 2nd Tuesday of every month – 6-8:00 PM
– Location: Kankakee Public Library, Room 1A
– Website: afsp.org/support_group/loss-loving-outreach-survivors-suicide/

Walk to Fight Suicide
Out of the Darkness community walks, aims to raise awareness and funds that allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
– Date & Time: September 21st, 2019 – 12:30 PM
– Location: Kankakee County Community College Pavilion
– Website: CLICK HERE

Online Resources:

Local & National Resources: 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Phone: 800.SUICIDE (800.784.2433) or 800.273.TALK (800.273.8255)
Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/