Orange Partnership's 97.9 WCHL interviews feature coalition partners who discuss youth substance use, root causes, and offer strategies for increasing protective factors.
Tune in below.
We care about the health, safety and well-being of Orange County youth.
Our mission is to prevent underage drinking and drug use through communication, collaboration, education, policy, advocacy and youth empowerment. Our vision is for a community in which all young people can live healthy and productive lives, free from the influence of alcohol and drugs.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
No matter how old you are, taking care of your mental health is important.
When feelings of anxiety or depression take over, go for a walk in nature, talk to a supportive friend, listen to your favorite music, or make something with your hands. Sometimes something as simple as giving yourself or a loved one a hug can be just the mood booster you need. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope, please call or text 988 – help is available.
More Mental Health Resources
· 988 Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org)
· Be the One To
· National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
· Seize the Awkward
Seize the Awkward | Talk With A Friend About Mental Health
· Mental Health America
Resources for Immediate Response | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)
National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW)
Help us shatter the myth that vaping is harmless for adolescents!
Youth Mental Health Closely Tied to Substance Use
Within a year of the pandemic, adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 experienced a significant increase in symptoms of mental illness and a significant decrease in factors that promote well-being. These shifts in mental health often led to alcohol or other substance use, or even thoughts of suicide. In the U.S. nearly 1 out of every 5 high school students report serious thoughts of suicide.
The
Sound It Out campaign uses the
power of music to help parents and caregivers support their children’s emotional wellness. Watch their music sharing tool (Amazon/Alexa) - and how it opens the door to more meaningful conversations between adults and middle school aged kids.
PREVENTION CORNER
FREE PARENT TRAININGS:
Do you suspect your child is using substances or just want to open communication lines before they are tempted? Visit our
Parent Resources for links to free, expert-led webinars.
WHAT'S NEW: on the Radio
In the Community
We recently partnered with Stanback Middle School Administration - teachers, students and parents - to host a "Take Down Tobacco" Event. We used fun kickball games, awareness activities and engaging high school Intern presentations to encourage our youth to live tobacco and drug free and promote alternative coping skills. Check out our recap video below!
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Responsible Alcohol Seller Award (RASA) Presentation
ButtonThe votes are in! Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell, county commissioners, school board and community members present Weaver Street Market, Hillsborough with the annual Responsible Alcohol Retailer Award (RASA).
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Committed to Staff Training
ButtonThe community recognizes Weaver Street as demonstrating the most effort to reduce the sales of alcohol to underage persons.
Their commitment to training its staff in responsible alcohol sales, verifying the age of young consumers and adherence to state alcohol sales laws were noted as reasons why they were at the top.
Quitting Smoking Isn't Easy.
In 2022, more than 2.5 million middle and high school students currently used e-cigarettes.
- 55% of youth who vape use disposables.
- 85% of youth who vape use flavored devices.
E-cigarettes are addictive commercial tobacco products that contain nicotine. Dangers include harm to brain development, increase and/or worsening anxiety and depression, lung damage, and effects on attention, learning, memory and impulse control.
Orange County Residents: Free tobacco cessation resources available - patches, gum, and lozenges. All residents are encouraged to call the NC Quit Line @ 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Visit OC Health Department resources: Smoking Cessation | Orange County, NC (orangecountync.gov)
THIS IS QUITTING Resource:
The Truth Initiative's App/Texting quitting program is designed to help young people quit vaping. Young vapers - teens and young adults - can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709.
SMOKEfree.gov
Visit their website for tools to help you quit. Download the quitSTART app or try SmokefreeTXT by signing up online or texting QUIT to 47848.
Socialize Safely this Season!
The holidays are a popular time for getting together with friends and family to celebrate. Discussing the dangers of underage alcohol and substance use—especially when combined with driving—and setting expectations for your child’s behavior go a long way in the prevention of any unintended consequences.
Share resources designed for youth, such as Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts and the Tips for Teens series.
Go to
SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign, to learn about tips parents and caregivers can use to start these conversations.
The home is the number one place youth access alcohol.
It’s important to monitor and secure alcohol in the home.
Learn how to make your home a safe one at Talk it Up. Lock it Up.
Request a lock to secure and monitor your alcohol in your home:
Our Calendar
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Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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3:15pm WCHL Wellness Wednesday "Children’s Mental Health Awareness"
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2pm OCS Health & Wellness Fair
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10am SAFE Kids NC Meeting
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10am Be Well Community Wellness Event
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2pm OP & OCS Monthly Meeting
7pm Responsible Alcohol Seller and Server Training
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9am OP Stakeholders Meeting
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Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth
Freedom House Recovery Center
104 New Stateside Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919 942-2803
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