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 Welcome to the Health Promotion & Prevention Newsletter, released every two months by Marion County's Health Promotion & Prevention Team! In this newsletter, our team shares information, tips, news, and updates on community work being done to promote health and prevent disease in Marion County.
Help us spread awareness by sharing this newsletter with your friends and colleagues!
Community trainings
2026 Prevention Workshops for Woodburn Youth and Parents
Marion County Prevention has partnered with the City of Woodburn and the Woodburn School District to offer a series of prevention workshops for youth and parents during the 2025-26 school year. Workshops will be available in Spanish and will focus on mental health, substance use prevention, and other health-related topics.
Spanish-language Parent workshops will be held at the Woodburn High School Auditorium from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Free coffee, sweet bread, and child care will be available.
Parent workshop dates:
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Narcan Training: May 4 (Spanish)
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Dangers of Substance Use: May 6 (Spanish)
Spanish-language Youth workshops will be held at the Woodburn Success High School from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Free dinner will be available.
Youth workshop dates:
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Dangers of Substance Use: May 27 (Spanish)
For more information about these workshops contact 503-980-6250 or email MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us.
Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) Class - May 14th at Salem Health CHEC Center.
This class teaches you how to save the life of someone in crisis. Register for this free class at https://events.humanitix.com/qpr-suicide-prevention-class
Navigating Anxiety - Takes place every Thursday beginning May 7 through May 28
This four-week class equips you with tools to manage anxiety. Held at the Salem Health CHEC. More information can be found at https://events.humanitix.com/navigating-anxiety
Free Parent Trainings
Free group class, Nurturing Parenting for prenatal and newborn parents. Hosted by Santiam Hospital and Early Learning hub, presented by Family Building Blocks at Doris's Place in Stayton. Eight-week course on Wednesday evenings from May 6th to June 24th, 4:30 to 6:00pm, covering nine topics that support prenatal and newborn health and safety. Dinner is provided and limited Childcare is available upon registration. Register by calling 503-769-1120 or emailing mweeks@familybuildingblocks.org
May 9th- Teen Mental Health Day
The Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties is hosting a Teen Mental Health Day on Saturday, May 9th, from 1pm-5pm, at 685 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301. This free event will include a poster session, workshops, giveaways, snacks, and resource tables. Register For Teen Mental Health Day
 Register at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=PNujjXuKe02FP8FUVOHJlgxpK88a4btJjAMAZTGC4flUNzVQSFJCQ0NTRFhaTENBUUJJOFlaWFhFTC4u
June 27 - Energy & Resource Fair
Save the Date for the Energy & Resource Fair on June 27 from 8am to 2pm, at Center 50+. This free event is open to the public and will feature breakfast, community resources, demonstrations, exhibits, activities, workshops, expert Q &A, and giveaways!
Check out these additional health promotion trainings and educational opportunities:
Know of another organization that provides great trainings? Share them with us at MCHDPrevention@co.marion.or.us.
2026 Mental Health Action Plan
In a world that can feel overwhelming or uncertain, many factors affecting our health are beyond our control. While we can’t change everything, paying attention to what we can influence can make a difference. There’s no right or wrong way to use this guide. Start where it feels helpful, skip what doesn’t fit, and come back as needed.
To Expolore the mental health action plan guide go to https://mhanational.org/2026-mental-health-month-action-guide/
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 Did you know that emergency department visits related to air quality, asthma, and pollen allergies have been on the rise in recent years? The first week of May is Air Quality Awareness Week.
Be prepared for allergy season, now through June. Change your home air filter to a MERV-13/HEPA filter or higher, and check daily air quality using your phone's weather app.
Learn more about wildland fires and smoke, asthma and your health, indoor air quality, and animals and plants on the EPA Air Quality Awareness Week website.
Go to Prepare.MCHealthy.Net for local health information on air quality.
The third week of May is Heat Safety Week! As the summer approaches, Marion County wants to remind you to Stay Cool - Stay Hydrated - Stay Informed. Visit Heat.MCHealthy.Net to learn how to prepare yourself, your household, and your community for extreme heat. Follow us at facebook.com/MarionCountyHealth to tips and updates throughout May, including Heat Safety Week (May 18-22) and during upcoming heat events.
Contact Michael Keuler to participate in heat awareness activities this May and June. MKeuler@co.marion.or.us
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 World No Tobacco Day, observed each year on May 31, highlights the ongoing impact of tobacco use and the importance of prevention. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death, affecting individuals, families, and communities. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness, support people in quitting, and promote healthier, tobacco-free environments for everyone.
If you or someone you know is ready to quit, the Oregon Tobacco Quit Line offers free, confidential support and resources.
Contact the Oregon Quitline
 In July, 988 will celebrate its fourth anniversary. However, many people are still unaware of this important resource.
While many think of 988 as a crisis hotline, it is available for a wide range of situations and offers support beyond immediate crises.
In Oregon, you can call or text or chat online 24/7 for free support if you are feeling:
- Overwhelmed or stressed
- Lonely
- Strained by difficult relationships
- Concerned about finances
- Worried about a friend or family member
- Struggling with substance use or gambling addiction
Call, text or chat online at www.988oregon.com
If it is on your mind, it matters!
We are grateful to our community partners for hanging 988 banners to help raise awareness about this important resource.
A special thank you to the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Keizer Rapids, Willamette University, Corban University, Chemeketa Community College, and Capital Futbol Club for their participation.
By Diana Dickey, Substance Use Prevention Coordinator
Why do we often talk about substance use and mental health together? That's because sometimes substance use and mental health concerns occur together. For example:
- Certain substances can cause people with substance use disorders to experience one or more mental health related struggles.
- People struggling with their mental health sometimes misuse substances as a form of self-medication.
- Substance use and mental disorders share some possible underlying causes, including changes in brain composition, genetic vulnerabilities, and early exposure to stress or trauma.
More than one in four adults with serious mental health concerns also struggle with substance use. Substance use problems occur more frequently in people dealing with certain mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorder.
It can sometimes be challenging to identify a substance use disorder because people vary in how they function when using substances or hide their drug or alcohol use.
Symptoms of substance use disorders may include behavioral changes such as:
- Drop in attendance at work or school
- Secretive or suspicious behaviors
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Unexplained changes in personality or attitude
- Sudden mood swings
- Lack of motivation
And physical changes such as:
- Red eyes
- Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
A person with a mental health problem and substance use disorder must treat both issues. Treatment may include rehabilitation, medications, support groups, and talk therapy.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit: FindSupport.gov
To locate treatment facilities or providers, FindTreatment.gov or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline on 800-662-4357.
Source: SAMHSA.gov
Marion County Health and Human Services (MCHHS) is proud to introduce its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, a roadmap designed to strengthen the health and well-being of our community over the next five years. Developed through a collaborative process that included employees, community partners, and residents, this plan reflects a shared commitment to building a strong, connected community where everyone can lead healthy and meaningful lives.
At the heart of the plan is a focus on partnership, access, and impact. The Strategic Plan outlines four key priorities: delivering excellent customer service, addressing community health needs, improving access to services, and supporting a strong workforce. These priorities are grounded in data and shaped by community input, ensuring that our efforts align with the most pressing needs across Marion County, including housing stability, mental health, substance use, and access to care.
As we move forward, we are committed to turning this plan into meaningful action. Progress will be tracked, shared, and refined over time, with transparency and collaboration guiding each step. Together with our partners, we look forward to strengthening systems, expanding opportunities, and creating a healthier future for everyone in our community.
Read the MCHHS 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
Title: 2026 Oregon Short Legislative Session
The 2026 Oregon Short Legislative Session has officially concluded as of March 8th. During the 35-day session, lawmakers advanced several policy proposals and budget decisions impacting substance use prevention and public health across the state. We’ll highlight a few of the tobacco and cannabis bills that were passed, as well as a few potentially consequential bills that did not pass.
Tobacco
Passed: SB 1571 A - Nicotine Definition Update
- Proposes to amend state law to define “nicotine” and expand the definition of “tobacco products” and inhalant delivery systems to include nicotine derived from any source, including synthetic nicotine, and to apply existing tobacco product regulations to products containing nicotine from any source.
Passed: HB 4120 A - Smokefree Multi-Family Housing
- Allows residential landlords of multifamily housing (20 or more units) to convert premises to nonsmoking, including prohibiting smoking within dwelling units and interior common areas, with 180 days’ written notice to existing tenants; applies to new and existing rental agreements and is intended to promote tenant convenience, safety, and welfare and to preserve the landlord’s property from abusive use.
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Did Not Pass: HB 4139 A - Cannabis (Marijuana) Definition
- Increases funding for illegal marijuana enforcement, expands the definition of “debilitating medical condition” for medical marijuana use, updates cannabis and hemp product definitions, strengthens OLCC and ODA oversight and inspection authority.
Passed: HB 4142 A - Medical Use of Cannabis (Marijuana)
- Requires organizations and residential facilities to allow patients or residents to engage in the medical use of marijuana on the premises and to develop and maintain a written policy outlining marijuana use and products.
Did Not Pass: SB 1548 A - Cannabis (Marijuana) Prevention
- Requires adult-use cannabinoid edibles to be individually packaged and limits each edible to no more than 10 milligrams of cannabinoid per serving. The measure is intended to standardize potency and packaging requirements for consumer safety.
By Marie Little, Youth Coordinator
Across the county, something powerful is happening—and it’s being led by young people.
Over the past two years, Youth Development Coordinator Marie Little has been partnering with youth to strengthen resilience and build protective factors throughout the community. One of these youth groups, the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) located at John F. Kennedy High School in Mt. Angel, has stepped up as a shining example of what youth engagement in action can look like.
Research shows that when young people feel connected to peers, have supportive adults, and their community, they are significantly less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to thrive academically and emotionally. In fact, having even one trusted adult in a young person’s life is one of the strongest protective factors against anxiety, depression, and substance use.
TAB students have embraced this knowledge and turned it into meaningful action.
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Last school year, this group of young leaders focused on helping their peers feel supported and connected. They designed and distributed teen-friendly 988 crisis support cards and bookmarks with messages including “Life is Better With You” and “You can always use a Brotatoe.” These creative, youth-driven messages resonated widely, sparking conversations and reminding students they are never alone.
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Building on that success, TAB students launched a Trusted Adult campaign this year. They invited classmates to identify a trusted adult and share why that person stands out to them. The response was inspiring. More than 55 students participated, identifying 15 school staff members along with family members, such as parents, siblings, and relatives. Not surprisingly, “mom” was the most frequently named trusted adult.
From there, TAB students took it a step further. They personally connected with nominated staff and invited them to display a pledge in their classrooms or offices, signaling to all students: “You can come to me, I am a trust-worthy adult.” They also created recognition posters highlighting these trusted adults and displayed them in shared school spaces, helping normalize help-seeking and connection.
To wrap up the campaign, TAB hosted an interactive tabling event where students added the names of their trusted adults to a growing paper chain, each link representing a connection and a source of strength and support. Participants also received mental health resources, including the student-created 988 materials, with tools like box breathing guides, healthy sleep tips, Glimmers, sensory stickers, and snacks generously provided by their school counselor, “Ms. Beth”.
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This work is a powerful reminder: when young people are given the opportunity to lead, they don’t just participate, they transform their communities. Youth engagement itself is a protective factor, building confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging that carries far beyond the classroom. The JFK TAB students are not only creating resources, they are also building a culture of care, connection, and hope. And that’s youth development at its very best. We are excited to see where they will take this next year!
by Michael Keuler, Environmental Health Resiliency Coordinator
Marion County Health and Human Services monitors the impacts of extreme heat and poor air quality on communities across Marion County. Marion County has officially released the 2026 Extreme Heat-Related Illness Data Report, and the 2026 Air Quality-Related Illnesses Data Report. The reports contain a summary of findings, environmental data, emergency visit and hospitalization trends, demographics, and data tables.
Here are some highlights from the reports.
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Extreme Heat:
- Heat-related illness – such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke – is preventable.
- Emergency visits exceeded 100 per year for the fifth consecutive year, with rates higher than the state average.
- Heat waves cause spikes in heat-related illness.
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Poor Air Quality:
- Poor air quality can increase non-infectious respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, pollen-related allergies, and smoke inhalation.
- Marion County has seen a spike in air quality-related illnesses in recent years, with rates higher than the state average.
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By Phoebe Barker, Tobacco Prevention Health Educator
As the weather warms up, many people start thinking about beach days and time in the water. For me, summer means something a little different, it’s time to head back to Huntington Beach and climb back up in the lifeguard tower. I’ve been ocean lifeguarding for the State of California for the past twelve years, covering both Huntington State Beach and Bolsa Chica State Beach.
Lifeguarding isn’t just a summer job to me, it’s something I genuinely love. From watching the water in the tower, making rescues, to teaching the next generation of junior guards, it’s a mix of adrenaline, responsibility, and community. Even now, while I work in public health prevention in Oregon, I see so many connections between the two. At the end of the day, both are about keeping people safe, sometimes by jumping in, and sometimes by making sure the risk never happens in the first place.
One of the coolest parts of this hobby is seeing the long-term impact. Over the years, I’ve helped rescue hundreds of people and worked with so many junior guards. Now, some of those same kids are my coworkers; skilled and confident lifeguards. Watching that full-circle moment never gets old. It’s also a bit of a family tradition. I get to lifeguard alongside my sister, and both my mom and uncle guarded these same beaches years ago. There’s something really special about being part of that legacy.
At this point, lifeguarding isn’t just something I do, it’s part of who I am. The lifeguard community is very tight-knit, and the people I work with each summer are a huge reason I keep coming back, even as life gets busier and I am living further away. No matter where I go, I think I’ll always find my way back to the water.
May is National Water Safety Awareness Month, make sure to keep you and your family safe this summer when swimming in bodies of water. Explore Water Safety Tips at https://nwsm.phta.org/
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Marion County Health Promotion & Prevention will highlight a variety of programs and health topics in our upcoming newsletter to keep you informed about key health promotion issues.
The next edition will be released during the first week of July 2026. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, please let us know by emailing:
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