Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month The Health Care Authority (HCA) acknowledges  May being Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the emotional well-being of parents before, during, and after pregnancy. This observance highlights the importance of mental health care for parents, as well as the need for support and resources to ensure their well-being. Maternal mental health is essential, as it directly impacts the parents and the child. Mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum can affect a parent’s ability to bond with their baby, impacting the child’s development and well-being. Additionally, untreated maternal mental health issues can have long-term effects on both the parents and child’s mental health.

The Alzheimer's Association would like to invite you to participate in Purple Power Worship, an opportunity for your faith community to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and help members to access services. WHY SHOULD YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATE? • Raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. • Hear testimony from families in your congregation affected by the disease. • Learn the latest information on research and public policy efforts. • Connect congregants to valuable programs, services, and support. • Identify members of your community to plan ongoing activities to educate and raise awareness. TO PARTICIPATE IN PURPLE POWER WORSHIP, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU: • Select an individual who will represent your congregation and work to implement the Purple Power Worship event in your congregation. • Promote the day by encouraging congregants to wear purple. • Provide the opportunity for persons with dementia and their caregivers to share their stories. • Host a table of resources and information before and after. Materials will be provided by the Alzheimer’s Association.

The world is constantly changing – for better or for worse – and it can be overwhelming to deal with everything going on around you. While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be hard to know “Where to Start” when it comes to taking care of your own well-being.

This May, Mental Health America will help you:

• LEARN how modern life affects mental health with new resources to navigate our changing world.
• ACT by building your coping toolbox so you can manage stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations.
• ADVOCATE to improve mental health for yourself, your friends and family, and your community.

For anyone struggling with the pressure of today's world, feeling alone, or wondering if they can feel better, this is Where to Start!

May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month  The skin cancer category includes melanoma, basal cell skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer.  Skin cancer other than melanoma is a very common cancer in the United States. More than 5 million people receive such a diagnosis each year. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are nonmelanoma skin cancers, are the most common types of skin cancer. Nonmelanoma skin cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body.  Melanoma, however, is an aggressive form of skin cancer. It is more likely to invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body than the more common forms of skin cancer.

May is High Blood Pressure Education Month Prevent or Treat Your Medical Conditions If you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, there are steps you can take to lower your risk for heart disease. Have your cholesterol checked. Your health care provider should test your cholesterol levels at least once every five years. Talk with your doctor about this simple blood test. Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Talk with your health care provider about treatment options. Take your medicine. If you're taking medication to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don't understand something. Talk with your health care provider. You and your doctor can work together to prevent or treat the medical conditions that lead to heart disease. Discuss your treatment plan regularly and bring a list of questions to your appointments.

Empowering Women, Cultivating Health:
Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience

Every May beginning on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) leads National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). This year, NWHW takes place May 12 – 18th. This observance aims to highlight women’s health issues and priorities and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Join us in this uplifting journey as we dive into everything that makes women’s health so important. Explore the daily topics and access our ready-to-use toolkit here!

Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention

Partner Resource Webinar Series

Empowering Your Congregation: Alzheimer's Awareness & Vital Resources In Case You Missed It!

VDH: Recognizing a Stroke this Stroke Awareness Month

May is recognized as Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In Virginia, every year more than 22,000 Virginians have a stroke. TIA, or transient ischemic attack, is a warning sign of a stroke where symptoms occur and quickly resolve. A person having a stroke or TIA needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible to receive life-saving treatment.

When to Call for Help Action Plan Sometimes, it is hard to know when to call your doctor, go to urgent care, or go to the emergency room. This plan can help individuals know when to call their doctor or nurse by reviewing different symptoms in the Yellow Zone to prevent the Red Zone. Of course, this is only a guide, and you should always consult with your doctor if you have any questions. If your church has a health or parish nurse program, this can be a useful tool for patient education and conversations.

Integrate the Walk With Ease Self-Directed Program into your organization's resource or wellness website.  As a partner of the Virginia Arthritis Program, Insight Memory Care provides this evidence-based, self-guided program to encourage physical activity. Participants follow the program by reading the WWE book, walking three times weekly for six weeks at their own pace, and completing the online modules at their convenience. This program is free for Virginia residents. For integration support and tips, click here.

Have Questions? Contact the Virginia Arthritis Programs (VDH) at virginiaarthritisprograms@vdh.virginia.gov.

No Menthol Sunday: May 19th!

No Menthol Sunday is The Center for Black Health & Equity’s annual call to action highlighting the detrimental impact tobacco has on Black communities. This is their tenth year engaging faith leaders to educate congregants about smoking, vaping, and the role of menthol and other flavors in initiating tobacco addiction.  

No Menthol Sunday is an excellent time for people who smoke to begin a new quit journey. Faith communities can commit to creating comfortable safe spaces for those who struggle with nicotine addiction. Through genuine support and an open ear for transparent conversations, we invite tobacco users to seek the resources they need to succeed. Faith leaders can sign up for No Menthol Sunday, download a toolkit, get talking points for sermons and find information on how to support their members all on the website: No Menthol Sunday. 

New grant funding opportunity! Virginia Earn to Learn Nursing Education Acceleration Program   Application Deadline: Thursday, June 4th, 2024 at 11:45 PM EDT     The Virginia Department of Health Office of Health Equity is seeking applications for the new Virginia Earn to Learn (ETL) Nursing Education Acceleration Program. Applications are being accepted from educational institutions or organizations that offer Virginia Board of Nursing approved nursing education programs for pre-licensure RN and LPN. ETL funds will support education and healthcare facility partnerships to provide registered nurse (RN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) students with paid employment. Maximum award of $500,000 per grant recipient. Detailed information about applying can be found on eVA, the state procurement portal.

It's National Nurses Month! Virginia offers several scholarship opportunities to help pay for nursing education in exchange for service in Virginia upon graduation. Scholarships are available for individuals seeking degrees as Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Educators.   Visit the VDH website to read more about Health Workforce Incentive Programs.

Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center

North Chesterfield, VA

Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center (LIVE Center) helps Spanish-Speaking victims of sexual and domestic violence in the state of Virginia. They provide vital support to Spanish-speaking victims of violence who are often hesitant to seek help due to language barriers, immigration status and unfamiliarity with available resources. They host a quarterly food distribution and resource fair with community partners to spread the word about their work in the community. Pictured here is their Resource fair in April 2024 at Third Baptist Church in Petersburg. 

Freedom Church of God in Christ

Norfolk, VA

Freedom COGIC's Youth Social Development Program offers a diverse array of activities aimed at fostering holistic growth among its participants. Through sessions in light martial arts, discussions on topics like nutrition and suicide prevention, and workshops focusing on personal development, the program equips young individuals with both physical and mental tools for success. By providing a comprehensive approach to youth empowerment, Freedom COGIC aims to nurture resilient, informed, and confident leaders within its community.

Latterhouse Community Development Center

Norfolk, VA

Latterhouse Community Development Center held their Spring Into Wellness event which featured a heart healthy food demo followed by line dancing to demonstrate how simple physical activity can be! People of all ages joined in on the fun. Afterwards, children and adults lined up to receive exercise bands, COVID-19 tests and masks to prevent the spread of illness within their community.

As we continue to prioritize students' mental health in schools, there is a wealth of tools and resources available to support this critical initiative. The CDC has developed an actionable guide designed to assist school and district leaders in fostering and enhancing students' mental health. This action guide serves as a valuable starting point, helping educational leaders build upon existing efforts while identifying new strategies to address any gaps in mental health support within their institutions.

Within this guide, you will find a comprehensive overview of six proven in-school strategies dedicated to promoting and supporting mental health and overall well-being among students. 

The National Faith in Action Guide on Maternal Health

Newly released comprehensive resource that provides vital information to pregnant women, their families, healthcare providers, and faith and community leaders. The guide provides guidance on recognizing maternal warning signs and taking early action, along with a detailed outline of the steps that faith and community leaders can take to address the maternal health crisis.

If you would like free copies of this impactful guide, please email us at Partnerships@hhs.gov and let us know how many copies you need in increments of 50. You can also download the guide.

Additional Community Resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Need Support Now? If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Request Your Opioid Response Outreach Toolkit

Virginia P3 recognizes that faith-based and community partners eagerly and actively step in to fulfill the needs of their community, especially during a crisis. As a result, we aim to equip our partners to respond to the present opioid health crisis with Opioid Response Toolkits.

Pregnant or just had a baby? The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential, and here to help, 24/7.   Text or call this hotline that is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in English and Spanish. 1-833-TLC-MAMA

Trainings & Webinars 

Funding Opportunities 

Kars4Kids

The Kars4Kids Small Grant Program is dedicated to supporting educational initiatives around the country, helping us impact more children. Grants range from $500-$2,000, depending on such factors as mission alignment and availability of funds.

VDH Office of Health Equity                                            Virginia Partners in Prayer & Prevention

Stay Connected with VDH Updates from the Office of Health Equity.

If you have an inquiry or question for our team, please reach out to oheoutreach@vdh.virginia.gov

Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Subscriber Help