This week, May 17th to 23rd, is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Prevention Week. The theme is “The voice of one, the power of all”.
The purpose of this week is the union of three important goals of the administration: community involvement, resource sharing, and partner engagement. Community involvement requires raising awareness of behavioral health issues, while implementing prevention strategies. Resource sharing simply means distributing quality resources on substance abuse and mental health services to keep the public informed. And partner engagement consists of fostering partnerships, particularly with federal agencies and national organizations.
This week is not held at random. Always celebrated during the third week in May, this week represents the beginning of summer. Summer, to most, is a joyful season, filled with celebrations and outdoor activities. However, to others, summer is a prime time for substance use and abuse can happen. The purpose of this week is to educate families and young people at a critical time at which we can stop a problem before it happens.
Hosting events in your community is perhaps the best way to celebrate National Prevention Week. Such events not only increase awareness about substance abuse and mental disorders, but also start the summer on a positive note, in communities joined behind the purpose of preventing substance abuse and standing by those with mental health issues. Malvern Treatment Centers will be participating and raising awareness among our online community: look for us and participate with the #SAMHSA on both Facebook (Malvern Treatment Centers and Counseling Centers) and Twitter (@MalvrnInstitute). Questions about how you can do your part during National Prevention Week? Reach out to SAMHSA (877.726.4727) or Malvern Treatment Centers (610.647.0330) for more.