April 17, 2020 Behavioral Health Resource Bulletin

Dear Partners,

Greetings from the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the Alaska Mental Health Board, and the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council. 

These Behavioral Health Advisory Boards intend to deliver to your inbox useful information and resources on an ongoing basis through this new online delivery tool. Resource topics include mental health, substance misuse and recovery, suicide prevention and postvention, justice-involved, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

For the short-term, these emails will highlight resources that support our stakeholders and constituents through the immediate coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. As we move forward, the content will transition to other prevailing topics as we continue to advocate for Alaskans.

Should you wish to stop receiving these emails, you can unsubscribe by updating your subscriber preferences at the bottom of this email, or by sending us an email.

Wishing you and your family well,

ABADA, AMHB & SSPC

April 17th, 2020 Resource Bulletin

Mental Health  The relationship between our immune system and mental health is important to consider during the COVID-19 crisis, especially for people with pre-existing mental and physical health conditions. Here are a few resources supporting mental health.

Online Nature Peer Support Training
April 27- May 1 and May 4-8  (9:00a-1:00p)
Ionia offers Alaskans an interactive training especially for people who have personally experienced traumas, mental illness and/or addiction in their families, with friends, or themselves – as well as all students of behavioral health. Participants will explore the recovery principles and practices of hope, mutuality, empowerment, and community; learn the history of peer support, ethics, and boundaries; and more. For questions, email Eliza Eller or call 907-252-2314.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Online Support Groups
NAMI Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks expanded their online support groups for Alaskans living with a mental health condition and their families. Participants can join by computer, tablet or smartphone.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Neighbors Helping Neighbors 
Sign up to get a call from a volunteer to help with social isolation or join the COVID-19 discussion on The Mighty: Online Community Discussion, a safe, supportive community for people facing health challenges and those who care for them.

Greater Good Science Center, University of California Berkeley
This site offers science-based insights including recent articles on how to keep coronavirus worries from interrupting your sleep, how helping others can help you cope during lockdown, the scientific benefits of "awe" and how to find it indoors, and more.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Talk of Alaska interviews Akiak Native Community Tribal Leader Mike Williams, retired internist and addiction medicine specialist Charles Herndon, MD, and Tiffany Hall, Executive Director of Recover Alaska to better understand the scope of the problem of alcohol in Alaska, and how people are working to create more opportunities for socializing and having fun without alcohol. 

Online Support Groups
Recover Alaska shares numerous recovery support groups available online including statewide Alcoholic Anonymous meetings that are offered online and over the phone. 

Substance-Related Considerations During COVID-19
The Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention (OSMAP) shares resources and information for people with a history of substance misuse as well as for treatment providers. OSMAP is also sharing their COVID-19 social media posts for use - Click Here to Download. Addiction and the Workplace provides resources to help employers consider ways to promote workforce health and safety, and includes updates regarding COVID-19.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
Doreen Marshall, PhD, provides 5 coping strategies for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to bolster mental health during “shelter in place” mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Preventing Suicide During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Distancing
Rob Cramer, PhD, discusses the importance of talking about suicide prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic, including crisis call center funding and support, reducing access to lethal means for those in crisis, and financial policymaking in uncertain fiscal times. 

COVID-19 Messaging Guidance
The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention has created a list of messaging guidance for all stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Alaska Natives and American Indians, veterans, children, older adults, law enforcement, faith-based communities, and more.

Supporting Our Loved Ones Group
This Alaska-based group offers resources for justice-involved individuals and family members including COVID-19-related articles, and updates, statewide policies, criminal justice legislation, and interviews with Alaska Department of Corrections representatives.

What is Coronavirus: How Will It Affect People Living In Correctional Facilities?
Anne C. Spaulding MD MPH, offers information for inmates and staff about COVID-19, how it’s spread, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and management in correctional facilities.

Criminal Justice System Responses to COVID-19
The National Conference on State Legislatures offers information about efforts with federal, state, and local governments, including resources detailing actions taken by courts, law enforcement, state and local agencies, correctional facilities, juvenile justice, civil and criminal justice stakeholders, and many additional resources.

COVID-19: Tips for Caregivers of Individuals with FASD
The Canada FASD Research Network offers preventative health measures, a guide for explaining COVID-19 to children, setting a daily routine, displaying protection reminders, managing sensitivities, giving direct and positive health instructions, making preventative health fun, practicing calming techniques, and more.

FASD, COVID-19, and Alcohol Awareness Month
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome offers information and resources for pregnant women, recognizing the impacts of FASD and pre-existing health conditions, changes in access to care, and more.

Stay At Home Guide for Kids with FASD
The National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome-UK offers a workbook for kids offers hands-on activities that include fun ideas, things to do outside, making a calm space, daily timetable, cut-out activities, and more.

COVID-19 Information
This new State of Alaska site is a combined effort between the Governor's Office, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. It includes links to the DHSS COVID-19 Site and the Alaska Coronavirus Response Dashboard which are updated regularly. 

Senior and Disability Services COVID-19 Response 
This site includes resources relevant to the outbreak, including Addressing Social Isolation for Older Adults, Community Resources, and more. The website also lists Aging & Disability Resource Center contact information for those who need assistance with meal deliveries.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Economic Stimulus Check
The first round of stimulus checks have been issued. Most individuals do not need to take action to receive their payment, however, you can go to this site to check the status of your payment or update the direct deposit information for your bank.

^{Visit Our Websites:}

^{Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse} 

^{Alaska Mental Health Board}   

^{Statewide Suicide Prevention Council}

_{431 N. Franklin Street, Suite 203 | Juneau, Alaska 99801}

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