Advance Behavioral Health Prevention California (ABHPC)

ABHPC Prevention Pathways Monthly Bulletin for September 2024

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Sep 15 to Oct 15

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15th to October 15th.  The start date of September 15th was chosen as it is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile’s independence days fall shortly after, on the 16th and 18th. To recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, communities across the United States host events honoring and celebrating the variety of culture and history of folks whose ancestors came from Latin America.

Latinos make up the largest racial and ethnic group in California at 39.0%. Research shows barriers to wellbeing for Latinos in California, including lower income, educational attainment, and health insurance coverage. Lower health insurance leads to limited access to treatment, including treatment for substance use. Healthy People 2030 has identified plans to address these and other objectives, and these concerns have also been identified in the beginning stages of the California Department of Health Care Services’ Health Equity Roadmap Initiative. As prevention specialists, we can help advance these initiatives by incorporating cultural responsivity into every step of our efforts to insure we are appropriately serving Hispanic populations.

Resources to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month:

  • You can find Hispanic Heritage Month events and read stories about Hispanic culture and heritage at the month’s website: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.com/
  • Learn and share about American Latino Heritage in National Parks through Mi Parque, Mi Historia.
  • Find toolkits and social media guides at Hispanic Star.
  • Search your city’s website for local Hispanic Heritage Month events.

National Recovery Month

September marks National Recovery Month, which has been recognized annually since 1989. The month brings light to treatment and recovery practices, recovery service providers, and the recovery community. The new, permanent theme for National Recovery Month is “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.” The theme recognizes that all of us are affected by behavioral health, that prevention and treatment work, and that “people can, and do, recover.” Through education, community efforts, and reducing stigma for seeking support, we can help those in need of recovery services and prevent substance misuse in the first place.

We encourage you to use the following resources to find out how you can support National Recovery Month in your work and in your community:

Suicide Prevention Week

For 2024, National Suicide Prevention week runs from September 8th through September 14th, with World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) falling on September 10th. The theme for WSPD for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” which aims to break down codes of silence around suicide and mental health, advocate for policies and access to care, and provide support to those in need.

As prevention professionals, it is important that we give weight not only to risk factors for suicidal behavior but focus on protective factors including Positive Childhood Experiences and building resilience. The Social Drivers of Health categories of social and community context, health care access and quality, economic stability, neighborhood and built environment, and education access and quality can contribute to resilience in the face of adversity. As our work uplifts these drivers of health, we also uplift the wellbeing of the people our work touches.

See below to learn more about suicide prevention and for Suicide Prevention Week resources and events:

Community Highlight: The Parents’ Network via The Archewell Foundation

Leora Wolf-Prusan (she/hers): Program Lead at The Parent’s Network and Managing Director at Center for Applied Research Solutions

We are pleased to share the public launch of The Parents’ Network (TPN), a powerful new initiative from the Archewell Foundation, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Parents’ Network is a global community for parents and caregivers who have been impacted by online harm, offering a safe space for connection, healing, and advocacy.

Parents and caregivers in the community share a variety of hopes and challenges. Some have lost a child or experienced near fatal harm and are seeking ways to channel pain into purpose. Others want to help their children thrive and benefit from time online, while also staying safe. They come to TPN to learn more about how their child or loved one might be at risk. All are seeking safe, supportive environments where parents and caregivers can talk openly about their experiences and concerns, while building meaningful relationships with others who understand. 

Whether seeking support after tragedy or seeking guidance on navigating the online world safely, TNP offers a space for parents to connect, learn, and advocate for a better online world where no child is lost to social media. 

As of August 4th, 2024, the community is open to any parent whose child has been harmed by social media in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. 

If you are a provider or a behavioral health professional, TPN can serve as a valuable resource for your clients to find grief-sensitive, trauma-informed programming and support for the impacts of online harm.  

If you are a parent or caregiver whose child has experienced interned harm, TPN offers a space where you can talk openly and build meaningful relationships with others who understand your experiences.   

We encourage you to learn more about this valuable resource and share it with your communities. If you are a parent or caregiver who has been directly affected by social media harms, please contact The Parents’ Network to find out about the support available to you.

If you are interested in having your organization or prevention program featured in an upcoming bulletin, email Olivia Shrago at oshrago@cars-rp.org to get started!