Behavioral Health Celebrating National Prevention Week

Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County (BHSPC) will be celebrating National Prevention Week 2013, a national health observance to help raise awareness and spur collective action to prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

National Prevention Week echoes a key message of the U.S. Surgeon General’s National Prevention Strategy, emphasizing that prevention should be woven into all aspects of our lives — including where and how we live, learn, work, and play — and that everyone has a role in creating a healthier nation.

BHSPC recognizes that the choices people make and the conversations they have in their everyday lives are key to preventing substance abuse and promoting mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. BHSPC as the alcohol, tobacco and other drug authority in the county encourages healthy living and decision-making by providing members of the community with information, education, awareness and alternative events.

BHSPC is proud to be one of many organizations around the country that are encouraging people to make a difference in their communities and lives as part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Prevention Week 2013.

During this week, BHSPC will be celebrating its prevention successes, focusing on areas that need improvement and building bridges to partners who care deeply about creating a healthier community.

Six daily themes have been established to highlight the two priorities identified in the National Prevention Strategy: Prevention Drug Abuse and Excessive Alcohol Use and Mental and Emotional Well-Being.

Sunday, May 12 Prevention and Cessation of Tobacco Use

Monday, May 13 Prevention of Underage Drinking

Tuesday, May 14 Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Use

Wednesday, May 15 Prevention of Alcohol Abuse

Thursday, May 16 Suicide Prevention

Friday, May 17 Promotion of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Well-Being

BHSPC is currently looking increase the membership of the Pickens County Youth Board and our Steppin’ It Up Coalition.

Established in 1990, the Pickens County Youth Board is a group of students from area high schools representing BHSPC. Students are chosen to be peer leaders and take part in various service projects throughout the county. If you are interested in becoming a member of the youth board please see your school’s guidance counselor for details. For more information visit the Pickens County Youth Board Facebook page.

The Steppin’ It Up Coalition is also looking to increase its membership for prevention programming. For the past few years, BHSPC has worked with their Steppin’ It Up Coalition to develop programming to address risky behaviors among Pickens County Youth aged 12 –18. During this process, it was decided to apply for a Drug Free Communities Support (DFC) Grant that will be used to educate the community. Having received the DFC grant in September 2012, the coalition has decided to focus its efforts on the prevention of underage drinking and the prevention of prescription drug misuse. If you would like to participate in the Steppin It Up Coalition, please contact Barbara Moss at (864) 898-5800 for more details.