 Friday, May 19, 2023
Nurture your mental health at MindFEST
 On Sunday, May 21, MindFEST returns to Louisville. It will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Roots 101 African American History Museum, 124 N. 1st St. The event is free and includes food, entertainment, music, art, yoga, a drumline performance, health and wellness vendors, and mental health discussion workshops.
“It's important that our community joins together to support one another through the good and the bad and that should include experiences surrounding mental health,” said Emily Davis, president of MindFEST, founder and CEO of The Wondering Mind podcast. “MindFEST creates a space where people can learn about mental health in a fun and safe environment. We also hope it will encourage people to feel comfortable to share their story, because we all have a story to tell."
Know and share the facts about fentanyl
 Across our city, state and country, more people are dying of overdoses than ever before. Why? Fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a fast-acting synthetic opioid that is 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed legally for severe pain and end-of-life care. But non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is produced illegally and has been found in many drugs, including cocaine, ketamine, heroin, methamphetamine and in fake pills such as Xanax, Klonopin, OxyContin or Vicodin. Here are some important facts to know:
- 2mg of fentanyl is considered a legal dose.
- You can’t see, smell or taste if a drug contains fentanyl. Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). They can be obtained at any of our Harm Reduction Outreach Services locations.
- People use drugs for a variety of reasons. They may be stressed, impulsive, bored, or curious and seeking to experiment. Perhaps they have a friend who takes drugs and offers them some. Fentanyl is a real risk, whatever the reason.
- Signs of an overdose, include unresponsiveness, loss of consciousness; blue, gray or white lips or fingernails; slow or stopped breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds. Watch this video to learn the signs of overdose and how to give someone Narcan.
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Narcan is a safe medication that can be lifesaving. Carry it with you. Free Narcan kits are available for pick up at any of our Harm Reduction Outreach Services locations as well as at our headquarters at 400 E. Gray St., Monday – Friday, 8a – 5p. The Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition also provides Narcan and overdose prevention training.
- Addiction can happen to anyone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Help is available. Findhelpnowky.org is a website to help anyone find an addiction treatment facility that is taking new clients right now. The KY HELP Statewide Call Center is also available at 1-877-318-1871. The Kentucky Opioid Assistance and Resource Hotline is also available by calling 1-800-854-6813.
Prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections
 Our Specialty Clinic can provide consultation, testing, diagnosis and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Free HIV and hepatitis C testing is also offered. Our clinic is at 914 E. Broadway, Suite #102 and is easily accessible via the #23 Broadway, #21 Chestnut St. and #43 Portland-Poplar Level TARC bus routes. For those driving, there is plenty of free parking.
The clinic operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Second Friday of every month, the hours are 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.) You can reduce your wait time by filling out paperwork and bringing it to your appointment. (Please use black ink.)
We see patients by appointment. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call 502-574-6699.
We want you to join our team
 Are you mission driven? Are you interested in improving the health and wellness of all residents of our city? If the answer is yes, we invite you to be a part of a dedicated team. Please apply today.
For more information, please email LMPHWCareers@louisvilleky.gov.
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