Saturday, May 18, 2024
5/18/2024
Summary: “Choosing Wellness to Prevent Underage Drinking” is a novel initiative to decrease underage drinking by targeting underlying mental health risk factors. The program will train key stakeholders who frequently interact with youth (e.g. parents and school faculty) to be more aware of signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties, and help them feel more comfortable referring youth to appropriate resources. Additionally, youth will be educated on prosocial coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and on the resources available regionally to support their mental health. The overarching theme of these trainings, presentations, and informational materials will be “Choose Wellness,” encouraging all residents to take an active part in their holistic health. Target Population: This project targets East Haddam Youth Ages 12-20. Total school enrollment for the East Haddam School District in the 2020-21 school year was approximately 930 students, of which 287 were in elementary school, 349 were in middle school, and 294 were in high school. Estimated annual student population impacted by the program will be 435 students. The number of students impacted by the program over the lifetime of the program is expected to be 675. Project Goals: • Increase the capacity of the East Haddam Local Prevention Council to address behavioral health issues as they contribute to alcohol use among East Haddam youth ages 12-20. • Increase the capacity of the community stakeholders to address behavioral health issues as they contribute to alcohol use among East Haddam youth ages 12-20. • Mitigate community norms and geographic conditions that contribute to alcohol use among East Haddam youth ages 12-20. Key Objectives: • EHLPC will contract with mental health professionals to provide mental health education to 75% of Nathan Hale Ray High School staff, 75% of NHRHS students, and 100 parents by September 29, 2025. • EHLPC will incorporate alcohol-focused multimedia messaging into Choose Wellness campaign by September 29, 2023. • EHLPC will host a mental health fair under the Choose Wellness branding by July 30, 2024. • East Haddam Police will provide three trainings to targeted community sectors (Civic, Religious, Parents) on how to recognize and report underage drinking parties in remote and secluded locations (e.g. the woods) by September 29th, 2023. Key Strategies: • Mental Health First Aid training for adults who frequently interact with youth (e.g. parents and school faculty). • Choose Wellness media campaign messaging. • Training for parents, school staff, and students on recognizing mental health issues in youth and how to refer to appropriate resources. • Party patrols and the training of residents to utilize the police anonymous tip line to deter underage drinking parties.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
