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July 2020 Resource Bulletin |
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Miss our last email? Past e-bulletins are posted in the left column on both the ABADA and AMHB websites. |
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Substance Misuse & Recovery
As we continue to self-isolate to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is especially important to approach things one day at a time and to care for pre-existing health concerns such as substance misuse.
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Serious Adverse Health Events Associated with Methanol-based Hand Sanitizers
The CDC issued a Health Advisory on July 5, 2020 regarding Methanol-based hand sanitizers. Most commercially available alcohol-based hand sanitizers or rubs (ABHSR) contain either ethanol or isopropanol as active ingredients.
In addition to the risk of methanol-based sanitizers, it is important to note the potential for abuse of any alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be kept out of the reach of children, and use should be supervised. Consumption, even small amounts, can lead to serious health issues, including death.
To review the health advisory and recommendations go here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00434.asp
Thinking About Cutting Back on Your Alcohol Use?
Researchers at the University of Alaska Anchorage are looking for people 18 years or older who are interested in using a no-cost smartphone app for 3 months to help cut back on their drinking.
For more information or to take the eligibility survey, please visit: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/research/institute-social-economic-research/stepawaystudy/
Smoking Cessation: Past, Present, and Future
This Public Health Grand Rounds session from June 23, 2020 presents key findings on the recently released US Surgeon General’s report on Smoking Cessation. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.
The 2020 Surgeon General’s report is the first to focus solely on smoking cessation since 1990. Speakers discuss progress made, such as clinical treatments and tools that increase smoking cessation and give updates on the biology of addiction and discuss the economic benefits of quitting smoking.
To view the session, go here: https://www.cdc.gov/grand-rounds/pp/2020/06232020-smoking-cessation.html?deliveryName=USCDC_445-DM32071
Quit Smoking Today! Alaska's Tobacco Quit Line
This is a free resource to assist in nicotine recovery. The Quit Line offers a free starter kit with a two-week supply of free patches, gum or lozenges, as well as supportive texts and emails, a quit guide, web coaching, and more.
To learn more about these services or to get started, call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-8669) or visit alaskaquitline.com
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Suicide Prevention & Postvention
Managing our mental health, substance use, and healthy relationships is always important. Physical isolation due to COVID-19 can make this more difficult.
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Suicide Prevention 101: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention During the Coronavirus Pandemic
July 14, 8:00am-9:00am AKST
Wayne State University Campus Health Center is hosting this webinar to teach how to look after the mental health of friends and family and work together to prevent suicide during the coronavirus pandemic. Stef Kastely, a CAPS counselor who will lead the webinar, said the goal is to help students “gain not only more knowledge and awareness about mental health, but also the confidence to address and talk about mental health.”
To learn more and to register, go to: https://today.wayne.edu/news/2020/06/26/free-webinar-mental-health-suicide-prevention-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-37813
Transition Period Between Inpatient Psychiatric Hospitalization and Outpatient Care Key to Suicide Prevention
Speakers from the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention told attendees of the virtual annual meeting of the American Association of Suicidology last month that the care transition period between inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and initiation of outpatient mental health services is a time of extraordinarily heightened suicide risk that has been woefully neglected. In an effort to close this potentially deadly gap in services, the alliance recently issued a report entitled, "Best Practices in Care Transitions for Individuals with Suicide Risk: Inpatient Care to Outpatient Care."
To learn more, visit: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/933533
Trauma-Informed Telehealth Considerations for Youth with Suicidal and Self-Harm Ideation and Behaviors
This fact sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the Act, Support and Protect (ASAP) Center provides recommendations for care providers who are remotely evaluating and treating youth with suicidal and self-harm thoughts and behaviors. It covers a variety of considerations including navigating a telehealth session, addressing youth safety, and working with the patient’s caregiver to foster a safe environment.
To access the sheet, go here: https://www.asapnctsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Pediatric-Telehealth-Recommendations.ASAP-Center.05.16.2020-Final.pdf
New Campaign Aims to Reduce Veteran Suicide
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that it aims to reduce national suicide as the goal of the new REACH campaign. The REACH campaign’s mission – to “take care of our emotional well-being and the well-being of those we love,”– encourages reaching out to “those who are most vulnerable.”
To read more about the campaign, go here: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/76727/secva-reach-campaign-strives-reduce-veteran-suicide/
Understanding Child Suicide: For Military Parents
This fact sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers military parents information about military youth suicide, including how to talk to your child about suicide, warning signs that your child may be suicidal, helpful responses by age group, as well as evidence-based treatments for suicidal youth. It also includes information on how to address your needs as a parent.
To learn more go here: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/understanding-child-suicide-for-military-parents
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Alaska Careline
For someone to talk to, call anytime:
1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863
3-11 p.m. Tue-Sat
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Mental Health
The relationship between our immune system and mental health is important to consider, especially for people with pre-existing mental and physical health conditions.
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NatCon at Home - Free Virtual Event
July 15, 2020, 8:00am-10:55am AKST
The National Council for Behavioral Health is offering this event with presentations that include:
- State of the State in a COVID-19 World
- A Candid Conversation about Mental Health and Caring for Loved Ones. Discussion about the challenges of navigating the mental health care system from the perspective of two caregivers supporting loved ones who are living with mental illness. Hannah Hart, New York Times best-selling author and food enthusiast, and Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of Mental Health America are the speakers.
- Perception Is Everything – The Impact of Implicit Bias in Mental Health and Addictions
- Wake Up Call! – Time to Reimagine the Delivery of Behavioral Health
To see the full NatCon at Home agenda and register go to: https://www.eventscribe.com/2020/NatCon20/
Veterans' Stories of Recovery
This website offers the opportunity to hear stories directly from veterans in recovery. Personal story topics include transitioning from service, maintaining healthy relationships, managing PTSD. Other resources include handling summer’s challenges, staying safe and connected, and a list of resources near you.
To see more, go to: https://maketheconnection.net
The Alaska Training Cooperative (AKTC), UAA Center for Human Development
The AKTC offers trainings and training support for behavioral health professionals in Alaska, including Continuing Education (CEs) for behavioral health professionals, training for Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) and agencies, Mental Health First Aid Training for professionals and the public, Care Coordinator Training, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training, and Suicide Prevention Training. They also host a number of conferences each year for the behavioral health workforce.
For more information about upcoming trainings and conferences, click here: www.aktclms.org
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Alaska Careline
For someone to talk to, call anytime:
1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863
3-11 p.m. Tue-Sat
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Justice Involved
We are told to practice physical distancing but how does that work for people living in correctional facilities? What happens when they return to the community? This section is for topics like these and more.
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Conversation on Reentry: Life After Incarceration
July 22, 2020 6:30pm-8:00pm AKST
This virtual conversation, hosted by Keys to Life Alaska, will explore life after incarceration with a panel of returned citizens. To register, send an email to: keystolifealaska@gmail.com
To view the flyer for the event go here: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoLifeAlaska/photos/a.1181505315245349/3266797596716100/
Alaska Court System – COVID-19 Response
This website offers alerts and notices, facts about changes due to the pandemic, making online payments, orders related to COVID-19, paying a defendant’s bail online, recommendations for in-person court interpreting, and information on telephonic hearings and conference lines.
To read more, go to: https://courts.alaska.gov/covid19/
Working Together in the Pandemic:
Tips for Juvenile Justice Administrators, Supervisors and Front-Line Staff
These fact sheets from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network provide guidance for dealing with the challenges currently facing juvenile justice settings due to the pandemic.
Front-Line Staff: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/working-together-in-the-pandemic-tips-for-front-line-juvenile-justice-staff
Administrators and Supervisors: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/working-together-in-the-pandemic-tips-for-juvenile-justice-administrators-and-supervisors-in-preparing-for-the-future
Opinion: How Attorneys Can Help Clients With Addiction
Sue Bright, Executive Director at New Directions for Women addresses addiction, COVID-19, access to treatment, and common legal problems related to substance misuse.
To read the article, go here: https://www.law360.com/access-to-justice/articles/1286822/how-attys-can-help-as-addiction-cases-rise-post-pandemic
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Many individuals with FASD have a high rate of pre-existing health conditions and often rely on the help of others. Below are resources for individuals and their caregivers.
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State 5-Year Plan on Developmental Disabilities: Online Community Zoom Forum
July 13, 2020, 12:00pm-1:30pm AKST
Join staff and Council members of the Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education in a discussion on the development of the state's 5-year plan. The Council is seeking feedback on community services and supports, employment, early intervention and special education.
The meeting can be accessed by calling 1-888-788-0099 or clicking the Zoom link here: https://zoom.us/j/92101228336
If you cannot attend, you can also share your thoughts via an online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PKK5P9R
Summer Virtual Parent Learning Hour
July 14, 2020, 6:30pm-7:30pm AKST
This session from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and Stone Soup Group will share resources on setting up an effective learning environment for learning at home.
To register or to see a list of additional events and trainings, go here: https://www.stonesoupgroup.org/calendar/category/registration/list/
Virtual Transition Fair
July 28, 11:00am-12:30pm
The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education is hosting this virtual fair for students transitioning into adulthood, who are receiving special education services, and their families and supporters.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Ric Nelson by email ric.nelson@alaska.gov or call 907-269-8989.
To register for the event, click here: https://gcdse.ticketbud.com/first-annual-virtual-transition-fair?_ga=2.119264137.1215503884.1594058435-52417430.1593556413
FASD CHILD-BRIGHT Network
This website offers training opportunities, a citizen engagement platform, knowledge translation program, and a research program. Their resources support individuals and families impacted by brain-based developmental disabilities (including individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, etc.) across the lifespan.
To read more, go to: https://www.child-bright.ca/what-is-child-bright
The Impact of Trauma on Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Fact Sheet for Providers
This fact sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers providers information on IDD and trauma, communication and trauma-related behavior, IDD and systems of care, screening and assessment for youth with IDD, diagnostic criteria, treatment, and resilience and recovery for youth with IDD who have experienced trauma.
To view the fact sheet go here: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/the-impact-of-trauma-on-youth-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-a-fact-sheet-for-providers
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Other Resources
If you discover a great resource send us an email and we'll try our best to include it in a future issue.
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6-part Webinar Series on Peer Support
The Alaska Division of Behavioral Health is hosting this free webinar series, created in partnership with SAMHSA-funded technical assistance group BRSS-TACS. The series includes speakers who are nationally recognized figures in the field of Peer Support and Recovery. Each webinar will be moderated by a local Alaskan contributing to moving our state’s peer support efforts forward.
To learn more and register go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strengthening-peer-support-in-alaska-registration-109064155826
COVID-19 and Race, Social Determinants of Health, and More
This July 2020 ebulletin from the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation focused on COVID-19 and population level health data including social determinants of health, maternal & reproductive health, seniors & nursing homes, and the impacts of race on health. A recent analysis identified social deprivation – including a lack of access to food, medicine, employment and transportation – as a leading COVID-19 risk factor.
To view the resources, click here: https://www.nihcm.org/index.php?option=com_civicrm&task=civicrm/mailing/view&reset=1&id=4413
Updated Guidance for Reopening of Congregate Residential, Congregate Non-residential and Nursing Home Settings
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services recently released the following documents:
COVID-19 Grants and Funding Updates for the Health Care Sector
Healthcare News provides a summary of the many financial relief efforts for the health care sector due to COVID-19 disruption current as of July 1, 2020.
Details about grants and funding opportunities as well important considerations for health care entities can be viewed here:
https://www.healthcarenewssite.com/articles/07-2020/mossadams-0720.php
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Questions? Comments? 
