‘COVID-19, Youth of Color, and Suicide Risk Indicators’
Live webinar: Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m.
The Mercer County Division of Mental Health, in partnership with the State Traumatic Loss Coalition and NJ Hope and Healing, will present “COVID-19, Youth of Color, and Suicide Risk Indicators.” This 90-minute presentation will address the impact of systemic injustices on risk factors for suicide in youth of color and will include topics such as trauma associated with structural racism, generational poverty, and disparities related to COVID-19 that youth of color have endured.
Guest speaker: Kimme Carlos, founder of the Urban Mental Health Alliance, CEO and founder of Kimme Carlos Motivational Consulting, and co-founder and lead facilitator of Sister Wellness Retreats: Healing Spaces for Black Women.
The program will be presented live via WebEx.
Assist Office on Aging by completing 20 Questions survey
The Mercer County Office on Aging/Aging & Disability Resource Connection is the federally designated agency responsible for the assessment, development and funding distribution of programs/services for those 60 years of age or older in Mercer County. The office is charged with creating its Annual Area Plan for Mercer County that addresses the needs of older adults and ensures that service needs identified in the plan are provided.
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In accordance with the Older Americans Act, the Office on Aging hosts a public hearing and focus groups throughout the year to gather feedback from older adults, caregivers and the public. Due to restrictions because of COVID-19 and the concern for the health and safety of our community, the Office on Aging will gather this data from its online survey this year. By completing the 20 Questions survey, you will allow the Office on Aging to get a snapshot of needs in the Mercer County aging community. The office will accept responses to the survey through September for use in the Area Plan.
For more information, please visit the Mercer County Aging & Disability Resource Connection and the Office on Aging web pages or email adrc@mercercounty.org. Thank you for your interest and assistance in this effort.
CURRENT STATUS
The New Jersey Department of Health on Sept. 23 announced 430 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the state to 200,988; and 7 additional confirmed COVID-19 deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 14,291 confirmed deaths and 1,791 probable deaths. Mercer County's 11 new positive cases bring its cumulative total to 8,596, with 599 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 36 probable deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard for more statewide information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sept. 23 announced 49,285 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the United States to 6,874,982; and 813 additional deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 200,275 with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting.
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HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19?
The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ or nj.gov/health for additional information
PREVENTION AND SYMPTOMS
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person to person, including between people who are physically near each other (within about 6 feet). People who are infected but do not show symptoms can spread the virus to others.
To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
• Wear a face mask in public settings, especially when you can’t stay at least 6 feet away from others. Masks help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
• Practice social distancing.
• 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 percent alcohol.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
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Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, symptoms can include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you believe you've been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. COVID-19 Symptom Checker
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
For information on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus and its impact on businesses – including resources, assistance and regulations -- visit the State of New Jersey business portal and the Mercer County Office of Economic Development’s COVID-19 Business Resources page.
COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's MentalHealthCares Helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517). Listing of additional resources.
CENSUS 2020
It’s not too late to complete your 2020 Census form! It's safe and easy, and it’s your opportunity to bring education, health care, housing and political power to your community. But time is running out – the deadline for completing the census is Sept. 30. Be counted and make your voice heard.
If the paper form you received in the mail doesn’t work for you, you can respond online or by phone. There are so many ways to count yourself in the 2020 Census -- don’t wait! To respond online, visit https://my2020census.gov/login; to respond by phone, call 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).
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