Western CT Coalition

🚨🏈With the NFL season kicking off tonight, it is important to keep in mind these common sports betting terms when discussing the game with your teens!

Despite the legal age of sports betting being 21+ in many states, youth find ways around this by using family or friends' IDs to create accounts. The convenience of mobile betting makes it easy for underage gambling to go unnoticed.

If you hear your teen using sports betting terms, it is important to talk with them about the risks involved. Remember, gambling at a young age can increase the likelihood of developing serious gambling problems later in life.

For more tips, check out this brief video PSA on how to address this issue with your youth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWmalZ7nxLs

We can make a difference. By listening, sharing resources, and offering support, we can help those struggling with suicidal thoughts. Remember, talking about su***de openly can save lives. samhsa.gov/su***de ***depreventionmonth

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

🌟 Your mental health matters! 🌟 Breaking up with w**d can be the first step toward a brighter, healthier you.

Keep children and pets safe from accidentally consuming cannabis. Learn how to store cannabis safely and legally.

BeInTheKnowCT.org

Adult Volunteers Needed!

Identify key elements of effective health messages for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Discuss the use of social media and streaming platforms to promote healthy behavior.
Review and provide input on proposed to***co & va**ng prevention and cessation ads.

Why participate?
Influence Change: Be part of elevating LGBTQIA+ health in CT.
Be Heard: Use your voice and experience to shape how health
information is provided to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Connect & Collaborate: Meet and
work with others in our community
committed to LGBTQ+ health.

Kathy, Conor, and Matt represented Western CT Coalition at the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) open house of their brand new Recovery Community Center in Danbury last week!

Recovery Community Centers welcome people seeking help and support from the disease of addiction as well as family, friends, allies, or anyone who wants to be educated about addiction and the possibilities of recovery. Services include:

- All-Recovery Meetings (ARM)
- Recovery Training Series
- Family Support Groups
- Recovery Coaching
- Recovery Social Events
- Telephone Recovery Support
- Volunteer Opportunities

Walk in hours are 8:30AM-4:30PM Monday-Friday.

Additionally, Conor and Matt explored the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling Mobile Resource Van, which provides valuable information on responsible gambling. To book the van for your next community event, you can use this link: https://responsibleplayct.org/request-the-resource-van/

Good information about Zyn and other nicotne pouches.

4 Things to Know about Ni****ne Pouches Like Zyn The use of ni****ne pouches, like Zen, is skyrocketing. Discover 4 things to know about ni****ne pouch use in the workplace.

Come learn about effective ways to support your loved ones, specifically youth and emerging adults struggling with gambling disorder. This hybrid workshop, available on zoom or in-person at Advocacy Unlimited, will be on June 25th at 10am. Register for this and other trainings on our statewide calendar at www.ccpg.org.

Its Mental Health Awaneness Month! Try these tips for improving your mental health from MHA. ,

Need help quitting?

Find the tools to support your quit journey at truthinitiative.org.

National Prevention Week, held in May, is a national public education platform bringing together communities and organizations to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health.

While society is getting more comfortable discussing mental health, it can still be hard to know when it comes to taking care of ourselves. 💚 Learn more with Mental Health America’s resources: mhanational.org/may

Save the date 📅 May 18th, 2024

takes place from May 12 – 18th. Join us Saturday, May 18th at the Connecticut Science Center for a free statewide event funded by Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to learn more and celebrate prevention. 🎉

Gambling can be fun, but it does come with risks. Before betting, make sure to remember and respect your tolerance for risk. There’s no shame in passing on a bet.

It’s a good idea to balance gambling with other activities. Take a walk, visit a friend, or crack open a new book. Keep your day balanced by treating gambling like any other leisure activity.

Remember – only bet the money you can afford to lose. Set a budget, don’t borrow money to gamble, and always stick to your betting plan.

If you choose to bet, remember to always make a plan and stick to it. Set a budget, and don’t play longer than planned.

Before betting, make sure you understand the odds and house edge. Over the long run, the house ALWAYS wins.

Call, text, or chat the National Problem Gambling Helpline to be connected with a friendly professional who can share practical resources.

Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
Text: 800GAM
Chat: www.1800gamblerchat.org

Even if you hope to win, always expect to lose. Always remember that you’re playing to have a good time — not to win.

Treat gambling as a form of entertainment, and not as a way to make money. Gambling should always be budgeted as an entertainment expense, just like streaming subscriptions, football tickets, and other leisure activities.

If you bet, know your limits.

For the majority of adults, gambling can be a fun and entertaining experience, but there are risks involved. It is critical to know the risks and have a plan before you begin gambling. Visit ResponsiblePlay.org for tips to help keep gambling fun.

https://conta.cc/49JvXUM

Connecting: Right Here, Right Now join us for a conference in April Download Document ‌ ‌ ‌

LGBTQ+ individuals have higher rates of to***co
and e-cigarette use than non-LGBTQ+ individuals.
This is due to stigma, discrimination, and
targeted marketing by to***co and e-cigarette
companies.
You can help us turn the tide.
Take this anonymous survey to help create an accurate assessment within Connecticut's LGBTQ+ community.
www.surveymonkey.com/r/8DYH87Z