National Prevention Week 2020… “Prevention Happens Here”

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This year National Prevention Week is May 10-16th. National Prevention Week is a health observance held every year that hopes to increase public awareness of, and action around mental health and substance abuse disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the sponsor of the week, there are three main goals for National Prevention Week. First, to involve communities in raising awareness of substance abuse and mental health and in implementing prevention strategies. Second, to foster partnerships and collaboration with federal agencies, national organizations, and local agencies dedicated to improving public health. And lastly, promote and disseminate quality substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion resources and publications. The theme for this year’s National Prevention Week is “Prevention Happens Here”. A statement that reminds us that prevention happens everywhere. At home, in a classroom, in a conversation between friends. All are places that prevention can and does occur thanks to local coalitions and agencies.

The Wichita Mountains Prevention Network (WMPN) is a local prevention agency focused on the prevention of substance abuse in Southwest Oklahoma not only during National Prevention Week but every day. The mission of WMPN is to build a community where our citizens can lead healthy, productive, and happy lives. We will do so by reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors in our community, our schools, our families, and our youth. WMPN also recognizes that they could not do that work without the support of various sectors of the community.

WMPN is proud to join organizations all over the country of every shape and size to help spread the work of prevention. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has assigned a different day of the week for each of the most pressing prevention subjects.

• Monday, May 11th is Prevention of Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse

• Tuesday, May 12th is Prevention of Underage Drinking & Alcohol Misuse

• Wednesday, May 13th is Prevention of Illicit Drug Use & Marijuana Use

• Thursday, May 14th is Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use (E-Cigarettes and Vaping)

• Friday, May 15th is Prevention of Suicide

If you would like more information about Wichita Mountains Prevention Network, National Prevention Week, or prevention activities in your community contact Jillian Latimer at jlatimer@ wmpn.org or at 580-355-5246.