Positive Directions is a leading prevention organization in the region. We bring leadership to the coalitions we work with, helping build members' capacity, gathering data, coordinating meetings, providing training, and leading initiatives. Prevention coalitions consist of volunteers representing 12 sectors, working together to prevent substance misuse and promote mental wellness in their community. Volunteers share what they know, learn about current issues, and help plan and carry out strategies and events. Our coalitions are always actively seeking new members from the public to join in the collective effort of reducing substance misuse and promoting mental wellness. The Norwalk Partnership Since seeking and receiving the federal Drug-Free Communities grant in December 2019 for our prevention work in Norwalk, Positive Directions partnered with the Human Services Council to create a new coalition: The Norwalk Partnership (TNP), which launched in September 2020. Positive Directions leads TNP's data collection, strategy development around alcohol and marijuana, and communications, including website and social media. Most recently we have collaborated with Norwalk ACTS and the City to create a logic model to address the youth mental health crisis, launched a bilingual parent newsletter, provided professional development to health teachers, and started teen prevention clubs in the high schools. We are now relaunching our holiday Liquor Stickers campaign for the second year. Westport Prevention Coalition Positive Directions coordinates the Westport Prevention Coalition and serves as its fiduciary for the Local Prevention Council (LPC) and State Opioid Response (SOR) grants, working as part of a town-school-community partnership known as Westport Together. During the pandemic, we have been able to conduct focus groups and a community and youth survey, provide online trainings, develop a postcard series aimed at parents of middle and high school students, provide online information campaigns related to vaping and opioids, and build capacity to provide the innovative, evidence-based PreVenture program. Just this week we held the first 9th Grade Forum, developed by coalition members to educate first-year students and their parents about how to navigate mental health and substance use in high school and to raise awareness about school and community resources. Fairfield CARES Community Coalition Positive Directions managed the state's CT Strategic Prevention Framework Coalitions (CSC) grant for the Fairfield CARES Community Coalition for the past six years. Under this grant focused on underage drinking, Fairfield has successfully decreased youth alcohol consumption and raised awareness among youth and adults. Prior to the close of the grant in June 2021, our staff worked with the coalition to apply for a federal grant to sustain and expand the coalition's work. We are delighted that the grant was just awarded by the CDC, and we continue to serve as one of the twelve sectors for the coalition. If you'd like to join one of our community coalitions, please reach out to Margaret Watt at 203-227-7644 x827. To support our prevention efforts on GivingTuesday, November 30th, use this link.

With GivingTuesday quickly approaching, the Positive Directions team will be showing its generosity and giving spirit by donating and collecting items for the citizens of Haiti. Giving doesn't always have to be a monetary donation; we all have something to give. Haiti was hit with a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake on August 14th, 2021, and they have been in disarray ever since. As our way of participating in this global movement of kindness and generosity, we are collecting donations of items that the Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) has identified as most needed at this time. All donations received by Positive Directions will be delivered to the HHF on or immediately following GivingTuesday, November 30th, 2021. If you feel inspired to help, as we do, please stop by and drop your items in our donation box located in the hallway of our office at 90 Post Road West, Westport. The list of items needed is placed below. About Haitian Health Foundation "For several decades, Haiti has experienced great social and political instability, thus impacting access to basic healthcare, food insecurity, and clean and safe housing. Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the Western hemisphere, with a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $1,179. Chronically high levels of poverty, as more than half the population lives below the poverty line of $1.25/day, coupled with soil erosion, declining agricultural productivity, and high population growth have all combined to make obtaining adequate food and any other basic things, such as health care, education, and housing a daily struggle for many Haitians. The Haitian Health Foundation, for nearly 40 years, has been serving a population that now exceeds 250,000 people by meeting their basic healthcare and dental care needs, providing access to formal education, and through our many community development projects." To learn more about the amazing work they do; check out their website: https://www.haitianhealthfoundation.org/

History of GivingTuesday GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. GivingTuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. GivingTuesday recognizes that we each can drive an enormous amount of positive change by rooting our everyday actions, decisions, and behavior in radical generosity—the concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering. Radical generosity invites people in to give what they can to create systemic change. Positive Directions Positive Directions - The Center for Prevention and Counseling is participating in this year's GivingTuesday on November 30th to raise money for our organization and help inspire our community to get into the giving spirit. Giving isn't always a monetary donation; sometimes, it is a kind act of volunteering your time or helping a neighbor. With all that's happening globally, we can bring together our community through generosity. Here at Positive Directions, we have many different programs you can donate to including a Treatment Fund established to help those struggling to afford their treatment; community prevention and education programming; support groups; and/or a teen & young adult online resource: TurningPointCT.org. We encourage everyone to celebrate GivingTuesday and every Tuesday to participate in kindness and giving. While we hope you choose Positive Directions as your charity on the 30th, here are some other ideas for how you can make a difference on GivingTuesday, https://www.givingtuesday.org/united-states/ideas/

Check out this month's edition of Westport Lifestyle magazine to read about Positive Directions - The Center for Prevention and Counseling! The wonderful Robin Moyer Chung authored a piece detailing the vital work of Positive Directions and points out why we need to focus on prevention, mental health, and substance abuse recovery and treatment now more than ever. To read the article click this link and turn to page 34: https://citylifestyle.com/westport/issues/2021-11

Dear Positive Directions Supporters, Please consider selecting Positive Directions - The Center for Prevention and Counseling, Inc. as your AmazonSmile charity. When you shop on AmazonSmile, 0.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to Positive Directions at no cost to you. These funds will go directly to our organization and will help support our evidence-based clinical treatment services, community-focused prevention programs, and recovery supports for mental health and substance use. Another way your donations will make a difference is through supporting our Treatment Fund which was created during the COVID 19 Pandemic to provide individuals and families, who otherwise could not afford it, the opportunity to receive high quality counseling services at Positive Directions. At Positive Directions we believe strongly that "prevention works, treatment is effective, and recovery is possible." To support our work by designating Positive Directions as your AmazonSmile charity, click on smile.amazon.com/ch/06-0935732 . If you are not familiar with AmazonSmile, here is some information to help you learn how your shopping can lead to good. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_dshb_aas_saas?ie=UTF8&ref_=nav_AccountFlyout_yas Additional contributions to Positive Directions can be made on our website here: https://www.positivedirections.org/donate-copy Happy Shopping!

It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most. According to the World Health Organization, more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. A national study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation in February found that suicidal ideation has doubled as a result of since the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicide awareness and prevention are important now more than ever. What can YOU do? Our local data shows that suicidal ideation is prevalent right now. Someone close to you may struggling. Take time this month to learn the warning signs and practice the skills to help someone in a suicidal crisis! Positive Directions is proud to partner with The Hub to provide FREE trainings throughout the month in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). Check out the dates on the attached flyer and RSVP to info@thehubct.org. Becoming a suicide gatekeeper will help you recognize someone in a crisis and the signs that they may be contemplating suicide. Check out these National and State-wide Mental Health and Suicide Resources Also, be sure that you & your family members have stored the Crisis Text Line and National Suicide Lifeline numbers in your phone. Help is available to you or your loved ones. Speak with someone today.

Tragically, each year thousands of people--from all walks of life--die from drug overdose. In 2021, overdose deaths have increased as a result of the pandemic. That means we all have a part to play in raising awareness, promoting safe and healthy behaviors, and supporting those who struggle or have lost someone. *moved to Thursday Sept. 2nd at 7pm This week, Positive Directions joins with local communities and partner organizations to observe Overdose Awareness Day in Fairfield and New Canaan. (You can also find other awareness events in Stratford, New Haven and Hartford.) International Overdose Awareness Day is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. At the Fairfield event, in addition to a candlelight vigil to honor those who have died, we are also showing the prevention film, "If They Had Known." What is an overdose? An overdose means having more of a drug (or combination of drugs) than your body can handle. There are a number of signs and symptoms that show someone has overdosed, and these differ with the type of drug used. All drugs can cause an overdose, including prescription medication prescribed by a doctor. It is important to know the right amount and the right time to take your medication. It is also vital to know what drugs should not be mixed. Depressants and Opioids A depressant is a drug that slows the body's vital activities, including breathing and heart rate. These substances are prescribed to relieve pain, help you sleep, or be used recreationally in the case of alcohol. However, when taken in excessive amounts or in combination, they can depress normal functions such as breathing and heart rate, resulting in death. Alcohol Generally, people do not automatically think of alcohol when they think of overdose, but alcohol is a depressant, and it is possible to overdose on it. Alcohol poisoning, which is usually a result of binge drinking, is an example. If you drink a large amount of alcohol quickly, the alcohol level in your bloodstream (blood alcohol concentration or BAC) can become dangerously high. This can stop your body from working properly. Alcohol poisoning could stop your breathing, stop your heart, or cause you to choke on your own vomit. Mixing Alcohol with Prescription Drugs Mixing alcohol and medicines puts you at risk for dangerous reactions. Some medications that you might never have suspected can react with alcohol, including many medications which can be purchased "over-the-counter" (without a prescription). Overdose is Preventable Overdose is preventable, and there are steps we can all take to ensure that those who are showing signs of an overdose get the proper help. Knowing the signs of overdose is vital; remember the acronym MUST HELP. Alcohol overdose or poisoning can be prevented by taking measures before one even begins to drink. Make sure to drink in moderation, eat before starting to drink, alternate every alcoholic drink with water, make sure you know what is in your drink, lock your liquor up, and clearly communicate safe drinking behaviors with your friends and family. Opioid overdose can be prevented and reversed by using naloxone. Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse opioid overdose rapidly. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications. The Hub CT has free Narcan training for the public every Thursday at 11 AM. Attendees will receive a free Narcan kit. Make sure to download the NORA App. The NORA - Naloxone + Overdose Response App is a free app from the CT Department of Public Health that provides information on opioids, recognizing the symptoms of a suspected opioid overdose, and instructions on administering naloxone when needed. Resources If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use dependency there is hope. To learn more about prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and resources around substance use and overdose in CT visit: https://www.drugfreect.org/ To learn more about Overdose Awareness Day visit: https://www.overdoseday.com/ Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has established a 24/7 Access Line to facilitate access to substance abuse treatment. Individuals from anywhere in Connecticut may call to help with linkage to residential detox. Call 1-800-563-4086 Shatterproof is a great resource to learn more about addiction, prevention, treatment, and recovery from substance use. Visit Live LOUD for more information on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and how to find support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) operates a free helpline to provide people with answers about common mental health conditions, including substance abuse disorders. The helpline can also help people navigate treatment options. Call 1-800-662-4357 Call 911 if you or someone else is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, including a potential overdose or anaphylaxis.

Mental illness is on the rise. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, substance use, or other issues, help is available! Times of transition, like the start of a new school year, can be challenging for adults and children and may exacerbate existing mental health issues or create new ones. It is normal to experience stress, fear, or anxiety when entering into a new environment under normal circumstances, let alone navigate the complexities of COVID-19 quarantines and mask mandates. Knowing what local resources are available is a crucial first step. Last week Positive Directions was thrilled to host "It's OK to Not Be Okay," a 30-minute informative presentation for the Town of Wilton. We hope you will watch and learn more about when and how to get help. If someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, it helps to have the Crisis Text Line and Suicide Lifeline already saved in their phone. Please share our flyer below to encourage your family and friends to store those numbers in their contact lists and to spread the word that the National Suicide Lifeline is converting to the easy-to-remember 988 number starting in July 2022. Download flyer here:

Can gambling become an addiction? You bet it can! Gambling—like alcohol and other psychoactive drugs—can develop into an abusive pattern of behavior and can progress into an addiction. Once considered to be “immoral,” “weak-willed” or “irresponsible,” problem gambling is now accepted as a non substance-related disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, psychologists and addiction specialists. However, gambling is still less recognized, understood and accepted by the general public than drug addiction. Because there are no easily detected physical or visible symptoms (like odor, speech impediment, physical impairment), problem gambling often goes unnoticed. It has been called the hidden disease. Everyone who gambles does not develop a problem. But, as with the prevalent characteristics of other addictions, the behavior of gambling reflects a process that in collusion with a person’s emotional landscape can escalate into being problematic and ultimately end in a dismal life of addiction. The lifestyle of a problem/addicted gambler becomes increasingly focused on gambling to the exclusion and sacrifice of family, career and self. Often a catalyst to this collusion is hidden behind seemingly harmless societal endorsements and opportunities: advertisements for ‘feeling like/being a winner,’ the proliferation of physical and electronic venues, and illusions of being part of ‘the action.’ Clinically, addictive gambling is considered a process addiction: An addiction in which the activity itself (gambling / the wager) produces the euphoria or mood shift. In the case of gambling, money is the substance that allows the person to engage in the process. Historically gamblers have been identified principally as ‘action seekers’ (horse racing, sports betting, gambling tables) or as ‘escape seekers’ (slot machines, lotto, scratch-offs and extending into gaming). However with time, technology and the increase in venues these differences have become more sophisticated and varied, thus blurring the above distinction and increasing the psychological attraction to gamble. Having said that, some personality traits and emotional conditions have been identified as common underpinnings to problem gambling. For example: need for achievement, exhibitionism, need for dominance or control, feelings of disempowerment, trauma and childhood abuse, anxiety and depression, among others. It falls to the task of treatment to ascertain whether these characteristics existed prior to gambling or as a consequence of gambling. Very often, most often, it is a collusion of pre-existing emotional conditions and the properties of the gambling process. But, it can be treated. GAMBLING DOESN’T NEED TO BE A PROBLEM, BUT IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH GAMBLING consider talking to a specialist. Gambling problems appear along a behavioral spectrum from recreational gambling to emotional gambling to problematic gambling to addiction. Each stage reflects an increased interaction and enmeshment with a person’s use of gambling in order to change (eg: create, medicate or eliminate) a mood, a feeling or emotional discomfort. The first indication that someone’s gambling is changing from safe to unsafe is the change in why, when and how they gamble: from social recreation and ‘wanting to win’ … to ‘whether I win or lose I just want to gamble’ … to ’even when I am winning I just can’t stop until I run out of money or get more.’ This process reflects: progressive behavioral and emotional compulsions to gamble, continued use in spite of adverse consequence and, loss of control. The winning or losing of money does not drive problem gambling. The emotional shift obtained from making the wager becomes a more significant drive to continue gambling than does the loss of money. The ‘shift’ is the difference between the joy of having won money to winning signifying that one is “a winner”. When any of these emotional and cognitive shifts take place, it is perhaps the time to consider meeting with a gambling therapist / specialist to examine your thoughts and feelings about your gambling. In order to evaluate: why and how you are gambling; to consider what changes you want or need to make; and what the options are to help you make those changes. The goal is to avoid experiencing the consequences of problem gambling or to know if your gambling is ‘risky’ -- knowing ‘when to hold and when to discard’. Bob Vietro, MS, LADC, ICGC II / Positive Directions Blog / March 2021

We are thrilled to announce that TurningPointCT.org is now housed at Positive Directions! TurningPointCT.org is Connecticut's online mental wellness resource by and for young people. It's an amazing resource, created entirely by teens and young adults to provide information and support to guide their peers in the search for mental wellness. TurningPointCT.org offers: a place to realize that no matter what you may be dealing with, you're not alone a safe space for young people to share their struggles and journeys a Q&A guide to learn about pathways to wellness and how to navigate the behavioral health system a media room for young people to watch or share videos, art, or other creative expressions a resource map where people around the state have uploaded their recommendations for activities, supports and services near them a regular podcast multiple social media channels, including TikTok and Discord speakers and resource tables for campus events occasional online drop-in social events for young people, such as the 4 events over the December holidays ...and check out The TurningPointCT Collection -- the brand-new newsletter created by the current intern team! Meet Ella! Ella Moore is TurningPointCT's Peer Leader, who just received her Recovery Support Specialist certificate. (Congratulations, Ella!) She brings her personal lived experience with mental illness to the job as an advocate and peer supporter, along with her graphic design and communications skills. Ella works with a group of interns to develop new content, manage the website and social media, create podcasts, and participate in campus events. Other project staff include Eliza McNamara, the former project leader, who facilitates a weekly SMART Recovery teen support group online, and a new social media assistant. The young people involved with TurningPointCT use their personal experiences with mental illness and/or substance misuse to share ideas, resources, and positivity with their peers. All teens & young adults are welcome to visit the site and upload their stories, art, videos, and more!

Positive Directions was recently honored to host US Senator Chris Murphy, State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (Westport), and Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe at our office, along with community partners Fairfield Public Schools, Kids in Crisis, Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance, NAMI, and Westport Human Services, for a roundtable on behavioral health needs during COVID and beyond. Mental health and substance use issues have increased during COVID, and we were grateful for the opportunity to discuss needs that may be able to be addressed through the federal COVID relief bill under development. See our recommendations & factsheet below.

We are so proud to partner with TurningPointCT in offering limited peer support hours with our specialist Ally Kernan. For more information: https://turningpointct.org/media/connect/?fbclid=IwAR3eLvoQ33MBVi8-Sh69MlQegYo2t9Ai-_qDmNuX31yv4R4P6chGDfnVg8A