The current landscape of our world has encouraged us to think about the bigger picture, including our families, jobs, and communities. While public health community coalitions focus on specific areas throughout Maine, prevention efforts trickle down and contribute to broader scope of health and wellness. Public health is the science of protecting and improving the… Read more »
Resilience Helps to Prevent Youth Substance Use
What is Resiliency? Resiliency is the ability to overcome obstacles, persevere through hardships, as well as the ability to balance negative experiences with positive factors that protect your overall well-being. [1][2] A resilient child or teen has the skill-set to recover from difficulties and adjusts easily to change.[3] Resilience is evident when a child’s health… Read more »
Spotlight: Access Health’s Role in Preventing Youth Substance Use
What is Prevention? Public health prevention means intervening before negative health impacts occur. We practice prevention in our everyday lives through vaccinations, healthy eating, altering risky behaviors known to be associated with diseases and harmful health conditions.[1] An essential piece of prevention focuses on substance use, specifically geared towards children and young adults. Prevention plays… Read more »
Preventing Teen Substance Use Through the Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us here in Maine, which means snow days with friends, warm evenings by the fire with family, and much anticipated celebrations. Seasonal gatherings provide teens with an essential break to unwind and opportunities to enjoy time with friends, while social commitments and planning for relatives can make connecting with teens… Read more »
Join The Great American Smokeout!
Thanksgiving kicks-off the holiday season this month, gifting us time for family, appreciation, and new resolutions. For more than 40 years, The American Cancer Society has been providing an opportunity for individuals, community groups, businesses, health care providers, and others to encourage people to quit using tobacco products. On November 21st, Americans will be challenged… Read more »
National Red Ribbon Week Kick-Off
Wear a red ribbon this week as a symbol of intolerance towards youth substance use! Today is the beginning of National Red Ribbon Week (10/23 – 10/31), the nation’s oldest substance use prevention awareness program. Red Ribbon Week was created in honor of Drug Enforcement Agent Special Agent Enrique Camarena who lost his life in… Read more »
Access Health Participates in Senior Health Fair!
This October Access Health seized a great opportunity to promote safe ways to dispose of unwanted or unused medications to a vital and growing population throughout Maine’s mid-coast at the 2019 People Plus Seniors Expo. Last week, attendees were welcomed to learn more about local resources that are helpful while cleaning out their medicine cabinets… Read more »
Medication Collection Next Month
Did you see our Medication Collection Ad on Facebook or Instagram recently? We are spreading the word about our Medication Collection that is held twice per year. Bring you unused and unwanted medications to a collection point so they can be safely disposed of. This year it will be held on October 26th from 10… Read more »
Upcoming Resource Fairs!
Did you know that there are many resource fairs and open houses happening in our community over the next few months? We will have a table and information present at all of the following places so come visit us! Set for Success – August 25th Brunswick Junior High School Open House – August 28th Mt…. Read more »
Access Health Presents at Opioid Conference
Access Health Prevention Specialist Jen Kellerman attended First Annual Governor Mills Opioid Response Summit. Titled Turning the Tide: Maine’s Path Forward in Addressing the Opioid Crisis, the day included members of the public, substance use disorder experts, health providers, affected individuals and families, as well as law enforcement officials from across Maine. Jen presented on… Read more »