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NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK, THROUGH APRIL 9

The Ridgewood News - 4/6/2018

Behavioral Health

The Ridgewood Stigma Free and the American Public Health Association in honor of National Public Health Week share this information on Behavioral Health.

About one in every five U.S. adults -- or more than 43 million people -- experience mental illness in a given year. And one in five youth ages 13 to 18 experiences a severe mental disorder at some point in their lives. Mental illness is associated with billions of dollars in care and lost productivity each year.

At the forefront of today's behavioral health concerns is an epidemic of opioid addiction that's killing thousands of Americans each year -- 91 people each day -- and overwhelming local law enforcement, public health and child protective systems. The epidemic is so bad that it's the main factor driving the recent decline in average American life expectancy.

What can I do?

Support policies that acknowledge addiction as a chronic and preventable disease. Recent data show that only about 10 percent of the millions who need addiction treatment actually get it. But some policies do make a positive difference, namely the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion. Spending on Medicaid-covered prescriptions for both opioid addiction treatment and overdose prevention went up dramatically after ACA implementation -- meaning the law is opening access to what is often life-saving care. Advocates warn that rolling back Medicaid access would be especially devastating for states dealing with rising overdose death rates.

#SpeakForHealth in support of the ACA and its success in opening access to mental health and addiction care. Visit APHA's advocacy page to stay informed on the latest policy issues, and write to your members of Congress.

Learn more about suicide warning signs and help others find support: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Lead Free Kids for a Healthy Future

Today, childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet approximately half a million U.S. children have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends public health actions be initiated. A simple blood test can prevent permanent damage that will last a lifetime. The Ridgewood Health Department, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC are committed to eliminating this burden to public health.

Despite the continued presence of lead in the environment, lead poisoning is entirely preventable. Things you can do to prevent childhood lead poisoning: Use cold water for cooking, drinking and making baby formula (hot water pipes may contain lead), teach children to play in sand or grassy areas instead of dirt, some pottery may contain lead which can get into food and drink, if a family member works with lead wash work clothes separately and take children for regular checkups with a doctor.

To increase awareness of childhood lead poisoning prevention, the Ridgewood Health Department along with CDC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has brochures with information available.

The Ridgewood Health Department reminds everyone of the importance of testing a home, testing children, and learning how to prevent lead poisoning's serious health effects.

The Valley Hospital

Primetime Community Health Program: Nutrition Fads: April 19 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at The Dorothy B. Kraft Center, 15 Essex Road, Paramus. Join Danielle Fabrizio, M.S., CHES, Supervisor, Community Health Education for a look at some of today's popular diets and meal plans. Danielle will also share her advice for separating myth from fact when it comes to the latest nutrition trends. There is no fee to attend this program but registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 1-877-283-2276 or visit www.ValleyHealth.com/Events. PrimeTime is a free membership program available to individuals age 60 and above. To become a member of PrimeTime, please call 201-291-6467.

Pediatric Illness: Emergency Room vs. First Aid Kit: April 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Mahwah Public Library, 100 Ridge Road, Mahwah. Join Eric Browner, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Room, for a discussion on making sure your children get the very best care. Learn how to evaluate what situations can be safely treated at home and when a trip to the emergency room might be in order. There is no fee to attend this program but registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 1-800-VALLEY 1 (1-800-825-5391) or visit www.ValleyHealth.com/Events.

Diabetes support group: Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dorothy B. Kraft Center, 15 Essex Road, Paramus. Open to anyone ages 18 and older with diabetes. Members will be able to meet and share with others who have similar issues. For more information, contact Mary Kirchmeier at 201-291-6213 or mkirchm@valleyhealth.com.

Stroke support group: A free forum for stroke survivors and their caregivers. Members share their challenges, triumphs and other personal experiences. The group is coordinated by a licensed social worker. Guest speakers including neurologists, dietitians and physical and occupational therapists often address the group. Members also get together for social gatherings. Meetings are the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at The Valley Hospital, 223 N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, in the Cheel 2 Conference Room. New members are welcome. Call 201-447-8000, ext. 111-2263 to register for monthly invitation and newsletter.

SOAR Experience and counselor in training program

West Bergen's Social Discovery Program will sponsor the SOAR Experience, a program for children and teens, ages 6-17, with solid verbal skills who experience the social communication and social skills challenges seen in Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disorders, such as Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder.

The SOAR Experience, a therapeutic social skills program in a day camp-like environment, will be held at the Center for Children and Youth, One Cherry Lane in Ramsey. The SOAR Counselor In Training (CIT) Program offers teens and young adults (14 to 24 years old) with the same diagnostic criteria listed above, vocational training and an opportunity to develop various work and social skills.

The program is held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The six-week program is from July 9 to Aug. 17. The three-week programs are from July 9 to July 27 and from July 30 to Aug. 17. Other highlights include: social skills training; weekly themes; field trips and fun filled activities. Contact Richard Miller, LPC, NCC, Director of The Social Discovery Program, for additional information at 201-934-1160, ext. 7234 or rmiller@westbergen.org.

Free information sessions on the SOAR Experience and the Counselor In Training program will be held on April 19 from 6:30 to 7:10 p.m. and May 14 from 7 to 7:40 p.m. at the Center for Children and Youth, One Cherry Lane in Ramsey. SOAR Counselor In Training (CIT) program information sessions will be the same dates immediately following the general information sessions for 45 minutes. Reserve a spot by calling 201-934-1160, ext. 7200.

Wellbeing series

This series was developed by the Ridgewood Public Schools Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and is a component of the district Community Outreach Program, which strives to help parents and guardians create balance in children's lives and support their emotional health. It is co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital, with support from the Ridgewood Education Foundation and the district's Federated Home and School Association. For information, visit ridgewood.k12.nj.us or contact 201-670-2700, ext. 10532, or Charlene Labenda at clabenda@ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

The Brain Goes to School: On April 25, psychologist Dr. David Walsh will focus on what science has to say about student achievement. Dr. Walsh will speak to parents and guardians on the topic, The Brain Goes to School: What Science Tells Us about Student Achievement. The program will take place at George Washington Middle School, 155 Washington St., 7-9 p.m. It is free and open to the adult public.