By Helen Varvi, Deputy Director
National Prevention Week (NPW) is held each year during May. Originally, SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) chose this timing because it is near the start of summer, an important time for school, communities, and prevention professionals to focus on prevention. Adolescents and full-time college students most often use substances for the first time during June or July, according to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health. And even though this school year has been modified in ways we would have thought unimaginable, the focus during this week-long observance is to celebrate prevention efforts in organizations and communities across the nation, and across all ages. We know communities make prevention happen every day – not just during NPW – and NPW is the perfect time to promote and celebrate a year's worth of prevention efforts, as well as get news, ideas, and resources to strengthen daily, weekly, and monthly prevention activities.
Although the coronavirus pandemic will likely decrease the opportunity for schools and organizations to host the number and scope of prevention-themed events and activities they usually do at the end of the school year, these prevention efforts are still important. Social transition events, like the end of a school year, transition from middle to high school and from high school to college, can present a risk factor for youth substance abuse. NPW gives us a timely opportunity to raise awareness of youth substance misuse and behavioral health issues among youth and their families.
One way Wellspring is working to keep "prevention" in focus during this trying time is through virtual Town Hall Meetings and presentations on topics related to prevention. We are also offering a virtual version of our Strengthening Families Program, where families commit to holding 11 weekly family sessions, view video lessons and complete session work sheets. Wellspring staff will be available for weekly Zoom check-ins to host different family activities and discussions. For our senior populations, we have a series of topic fact sheets and worksheets that are discussed weekly at a group conference call.
If you are interested in either of these programs, or to have Wellspring host a presentation for your community, reach out to us by contacting Mara Carlin, Coordinator of Coalition and Community Programs, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Wellspring Center for Prevention continues to monitor the ongoing situation with COVID-19, especially as it affects the communities we serve. As an important source of services for those in need, we have every intention of continuing our mission especially in times of uncertainty. We are doing our best to minimize risk to our staff and clients and continue with decision we made when the pandemic started. Those decisions affect how we provide services that ensure your and our staff’s safety. Which is why our staff continues to provide services remotely. And why staff rotates into the office while maintaining work from home. We promise to respond to your emails and phone calls as soon as we can and we appreciate your patience as we adjust to this new normal. Please stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones.