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What You Can Do to Prevent Illness

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

MAY HOLIDAYS:

May 5th- Cinco de Mayo May 10th – Mother’s Day

May 16th – Armed Forces Day May 25th – Memorial Day

May 31st - Pentecost

Month Happenings:

National Mental Health Awareness Month

National Prevention Week Awareness May 10-16

Alcohol and Drug Related Birth Defects Awareness Meth Prevention Month

Drowning Prevention Month

Safe Prom/Graduation

MAY 2020

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Take Steps to Protect Yourself and Others

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your

community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Stay home if you're sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs/sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash. • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap

and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

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Know how it spreads

• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. It can spread between

people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

• Complete disinfection guidance can be found here

What to do if you are sick See all steps from the CDC here.

Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop

a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately.

• Stay Home except to get medical care

• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

• Call ahead before visiting a doctor

• Cover your coughs and clean your hands often

VISIT THE COVID 19 IN IOWA WEBSITE HERE FOR DAILY UPDATES

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May is National Mental Health Awareness Month.

National Alliance on Mental Illness and other mental health organizations across the country continue to bring awareness, support and education to the public about the impacts of mental illness.

Nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with a mental illness, yet nearly two thirds of people with a known mental illness never seek treatment.

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year

1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year

1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year

50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34

The information on these infographics comes from studies conducted by organizations like

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The terminology used reflects what is used in original studies. Terms like “serious mental illness,”

“mental illness” or “mental health disorders” may all seem like they’re referring to the same

thing, but in fact refer to specific diagnostic groups for that particular study.

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NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK (NPW) HOSTED BY THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL

HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (SAMHSA), IS AN ANNUAL NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCE FOCUSED ON INCREASING THE PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE USE AND THE PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH. EACH YEAR, COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

ACROSS THE COUNTRY COME TOGETHER TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION.

CLICK THE PICTURE FOR THE VIDEO

Across the country, incredible people are investing in their communities, investing in prevention. They are standing up to prevent misuse of illegal drugs, opioids,

marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, and prevent suicide and mental illness. They are helping their community work harder and smarter, inspiring prevention actions that take root and grow into real change. They are teaching us that anyone and

everyone can be a part of prevention, and they are changing lives.

MORE INFO HERE

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NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG-RELATED BIRTH DEFECTS AWARENESS WEEK

Alcohol, Drugs and Childbirth do not go together. Yet, in the U.S., 20% (about 1

million) of pregnant women smoke cigarettes; another 18% (about 750,000) drink

alcohol during pregnancy; and another 6% (225,000) use an illicit drug at least once

while carrying a child to term.

Starting each year on Mother’s Day, Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects

Awareness Week is a reminder that alcohol and drug use during pregnancy can be

detrimental to a mother and her child. Prenatal alcohol and drug use can result in a

spectrum of adverse conditions. One of the most severe outcomes being fetal alcohol

syndrome (FAS), which is the constellation of developmental defects that result from

maternal abuse of alcohol during pregnancy, including infant facial malformations,

growth deficits, and central nervous system problems that can persist throughout a

child’s life.

Approximately one in every 100 children born nation-wide is adversely affected by

prenatal alcohol and drug exposure, including children with the full fetal alcohol

syndrome, as well as children who may not have all of the external features of the

syndrome, but whose brains have been injured.

We know that not all birth defects can be prevented. But we also know that women

can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions

and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant. Make a PACT, a

commitment to yourself, to get healthy before and during pregnancy by actively

trying to plan, avoid harmful substances, choose a healthy lifestyle, and talk with your

healthcare provider.

CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE FOR VIDEO

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• Methamphetamine is usually a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill. Crystal methamphetamine

looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks.

• Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that is chemically similar to amphetamine (a drug used to

treat ADHD and narcolepsy).

• People can take methamphetamine by smoking, swallowing, snorting, or injecting the drug.

• Methamphetamine increases the amount of dopamine in the brain, which is involved in

movement, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors.

• Short-term health effects include increased wakefulness and physical activity, decreased

appetite, and increased blood pressure and body temperature.

• Long-term health effects include risk of addiction; risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis; severe

dental problems ("meth mouth"); intense itching, leading to skin sores from scratching; violent

behavior; and paranoia.

• Methamphetamine can be highly addictive. When people stop taking it, withdrawal symptoms

can include anxiety, fatigue, severe depression, psychosis, and intense drug cravings.

• Researchers don't yet know if people breathing in secondhand methamphetamine smoke can

get high or suffer other health effects.

• A person can overdose on methamphetamine. Because methamphetamine overdose often

leads to a stroke, heart attack, or organ problems, first responders and emergency room doctors

try to treat the overdose by treating these conditions.

• The most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction so far are behavioral therapies.

There are currently no government-approved medications to treat methamphetamine addiction.

WHY IS METH SO ADDICTIVE?

CLCIK PICTURE FOR THE VIDEO

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DROWNING PREVENTION MONTH

WATER SAFETY TIPS AT HOME

Actively Supervise Kids in or Around Water

1. Never leave your child unattended around water. Babies can drown in as little as one inch of water.

2. Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted. Keep young children within

arm’s reach of an adult.

Remove Water from Tubs and Buckets After Use

1. Once bath time is over, immediately drain the tub.

2. Empty buckets, containers and kiddie pools immediately after use.

Store them upside down so they don't collect water.

Backyard Pools

1. Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted. Keep young children

within arm’s reach of an adult. Make sure older children swim with a partner every time.

2. When children are swimming and there are several adults present, make sure kids are always

actively supervised by choosing a Water Watcher. A Water Watcher is a responsible adult who

agrees to watch the kids in the water without distractions and wear a Water Watcher card.

After a certain amount of time (such as 15-minutes), the Water Watcher card is passed to

another adult, who is responsible for the active supervision.

3. Install fences around home pools. A pool fence should surround all sides of the pool and be at

least four feet tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.

4. Teach children how to swim. Every child is different, so enroll children in swim lessons when

they are ready. Consider their age, development and how often they are around water.

5. Make sure kids learn how to swim and develop these five water survival skills:

• step or jump into water over their heads and return to the surface;

• float or tread water for one minute;

• turn around in a full circle and find an exit

• swim 25 yards to exit the water; and

• exit the water. If in a pool, be able to exit without using the ladder.

Learn CPR

1. Know what to do in an emergency. Learning CPR and basic water rescue skills

may help you save a child’s life.

Close Lids and Doors

1. Close toilet lids and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning.

2. Keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.

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Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During COVID-19 As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Americans are required to stay home to protect themselves and their communities. However, the home may not be safe for many families who experience domestic violence, which may include both intimate partners and children. COVID-19 has caused major economic devastation, disconnected many from community resources and support systems, and created widespread uncertainty and panic. Such conditions may stimulate violence in families where it didn’t exist before and worsen situations in homes where mistreatment and violence has been a problem. Violence in the home has an overall cost to society, leading to potentially adverse physical and mental health outcomes, including a higher risk of chronic disease, substance use, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and risky sexual behaviors. Further, victims of domestic violence including intimate partner abuse and child abuse are at great risk for injuries including death.

Intimate Partner Violence According to CDC, approximately 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Moreover, more than 43 million women and 38 million men experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Approximately 41% of female IPV survivors and 14% of male IPV survivors experience some form of physical injury related to IPV. It is important to acknowledge that IPV can extend beyond physical injury and result in death. Data from U.S. crime reports suggest that 16% (about 1 in 6) of homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner. IPV has been associated with many negative physical and mental health outcomes and health risk behaviors among women of all backgrounds. There is a concern that the numbers experiencing intimate partner violence will dramatically rise in as a result of social distancing and quarantine during COVID-19. Before the pandemic, a survivor or victim could flee a violent situation or file a protective order with the police. For many, such options aren’t easily available right now. A stay-at-home order can force victims to stay in a dangerous situation.

Child Abuse and Neglect CDC reports that at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year and in 2018, nearly 1,770 children died of abuse and neglect in the United States. Rates of child abuse and neglect are five times higher for children in families with low socio-economic status compared to children in families with higher socio-economic status.6 In the US, the total lifetime economic burden associated with child abuse and neglect was approximately $428 billion in 2015. Child abuse and neglect can have a tremendous impact on lifelong health and wellbeing if left untreated. For example, exposure to violence in childhood increases the risks of injury, future violence victimization and perpetration, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, delayed brain development, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities.

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IPV and Child Abuse CONTINUED Children are specifically vulnerable to abuse during COVID-19. Research shows that increased stress levels among parents is often a major predictor of physical abuse and neglect of children. Stressed parents may be more likely to respond to their children’s anxious behaviors or demands in aggressive or abusive ways. The support systems that many at-risk parents rely on, such as extended family, childcare and schools, religious groups and other community organizations, are no longer available in many areas due to the stay-at-home orders. Child protection agencies are experiencing strained resources with fewer workers available, making them unable to conduct home visits in areas with stay-at-home orders. Since children are not going to school, teachers and school counselors are unable to witness the signs of abuse and report to the proper authorities. Also, many at-risk families may not have access to the technology children needed to stay connected with friends and extended family. We must take action to alert victims of abuse that there is help available. We must work with law enforcement and other state and local personnel to understand that stay-at-home orders need to be relaxed when the home is unsafe. Schools should continue to offer virtual counseling or telephone check-ins whenever possible. The hotel and hospitality industry have played a large role in many jurisdictions helping to house the homeless or healthcare practitioners; businesses and localities must also remember the vulnerable population affected by domestic violence who can also benefit from these services. During this time, we must also ensure that healthcare practitioners are screening patients for intimate partner violence and child abuse. SAMHSA Resources: • Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) offers a session on Addiction Recovery and Intimate Violence https://healtheknowledge.org/course/view.php?id=18: This is a one hour self-paced course and is based on industry awareness about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). • The National Hispanic and Latino ATTC recorded a webinar this February on the “Intersection of Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence and Addiction” https://attcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-and-latino-attc/product/intersection-domestic-violence-or-intimate • Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence - Quick Guide for Clinicians Based on TIP 25 - https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Substance-Abuse-Treatment-and-Domestic-Violence/sma15-3583 • The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health, a SAMHSA partner, recently released: Supporting Survivors’ Access to Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Emergency http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/2020/03/covid-19-resources-for-advocates/

Other non-SAMHSA Resources: • National Domestic Violence Hotline Staying Safe During COVID-19 Phone number: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) • The National Network to Eliminate Domestic Violence Resources on the Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) • Department of Justice, Office of Women’s Health Local Resources on Domestic Violence • Prevent Child Abuse America Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others • Stronghearts Native Helpline

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