YES Partnership

Happy Hallowen from YES Partnership! We're wishing you all a fun, safe, and very Happy Halloween 👻

It's Red Ribbon Week across the country AND across our county! This year's theme? Life is a movie - film drug free!

Friday Night Live has been partnering with Tuolumne County Public Health to talk to students about the harmful effects of substance use in honor of Red Ribbon Week.

Last week at Gold Rush High School the Red Ribbon Week Partners joined Gold Rush High School students for their lunch break, bringing a variety of games and activities for the students to do. There were activities centered around drug and alcohol use, like guessing whether or not a substance was safe to use, "drunk" musical chairs, and trying to distinguish between candies and prescription drugs.

It wasn't all substance-focused materials, though. There were also fun and relaxing activities that included a challenge to write a list of all the different activities that students like to do to calm down and relax. The students also set up a relaxation lounge for the week.

Red Ribbon Week starts TODAY! Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 by the National Family Partnership. It serves as an opportunity for people across America to come together to educate youth about the harmful effects of substance use and highlight drug prevention activities.

With youth substance use prevention being part of our mission at YES Partnership, we are committed to ensuring we reduce and prevent youth substance use in Tuolumne County.

THIS WEEKEND we are hosting the Tuolumne County Drug Take-Back Day with the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department as part of this effort. This is an opportunity for people to freely dispose of unused medications and v**e cartridges (with the battery removed). We'll be at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds during the Tuolumne County Health Fair from 10am - 2pm in the Manzanita Building.

We are continuing our efforts to prevent youth substance use this by hosting another Drug Take Back Day!

This is a great way to dispose of unused medications, needles, and v**e cartridges to prevent them from polluting our waterways or even worse, falling into the wrong hands.

Come out to our Drug Take Back Day, happening the same day as the Tuolumne County Health Fair, on Saturday, October 26 from 10am - 2pm.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, you can 📲 call 📱 text or 💻 chat with 988

The works to ensure that all people have access to the support and resources reflective of their own needs. 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/native-americans/

Today, we're honoring . Mental Health is truly at the heart of what we do here at YES Partnership.

Our mission is supporting Tuolumne County youth and families and dedicated to promoting resilience and preventing su***de, substance use, and child abuse. We will not achieve that mission without addressing mental health.

We provide mental health first aid classes. While none are scheduled at this time, stay tuned into this space for upcoming classes.

LOCALLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES:
- Tuolumne County Su***de Prevention 24/7 Hotline
(209) 533-7000

- Support for survivors of su***de loss
(209) 559-0332 or (209) 532-1328

- Survivors of su***de loss bereavement counseling
(209) 559-0840 or (209) 247-7406 or (209) 559-0332

- Tuolumne County Crisis Intervention Program
Walk-ins accepted 8am - 7pm at 105 Hospital Rd, Sonora, CA

NATIONALLY AVAILABLE:
- Su***de Prevention Hotline
Call or text 9-8-8

-SAMHSA Help Hotline:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

***deawareness ***deawarenessmonth ***deprevention ***depreventionmonth

Did you know that October is Youth Substance Use Prevention Month? 🧐

Youth face many challenges, but we don't want substance use or addiction to be added to that list. Through prevention, we can get ahead of challenges. So that individuals, families, and communities can be healthy and thrive.

Su***de is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 to 24. We can all help prevent su***de and save lives.

Learn how to help a friend or a young person you know who may be struggling: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/ 🧡 The is also here to help

Learn and share the warning sides of youth su***de during ***dePreventionMonth. If someone is showing any of the warning signs, urge them to contact a mental health professional or

We understand that it can be difficult to ask the tough questions, but sometimes those tough questions save lives.

Often times, people thinking about su***de are afraid to ask for help. There is always help - so if you're reading this, please don't be afraid to reach out.

If you're concerned that someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, rest assured that asking someone will NOT "give them the idea." Asking someone the direct question, "Are you thinking about su***de?" gives them an opportunity to be honest about their mental health.

YES Partnership works with Adventist Health Sonora to teach Mental Health First Aid classes throughout the year to equip residents with the knowledge and skills that they need to ask the tough questions, including the one above. If you want to learn how to recognize signs of someone struggling with their mental health and how to talk to people that may be struggling so you can help them get connected to professional resources, we can teach you!

Our next Youth Mental Health First Aid class is happening on Thursday, September 26 from 8am - 4:30pm. This is a FREE class offered to anyone in Tuolumne County, but registration is required. Visit https://forms.office.com/r/XmwnpmtGN1 to register today.

For more details, you can view the class event information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/527097846451746/

To learn more immediately about how to talk to someone about su***de, the National Institute for Mental Health has an informative guide: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/5-action-steps-to-help-someone-having-thoughts-of-su***de

For immediate assistance for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 9-8-8.

***deawarenessmonth ***deawareness ***deprevention ***depreventionmonth

There is always help. There is ALWAYS HOPE! 💜

There are nationally and locally available resources that are here to support YOU if you are struggling with suicidal ideation OR if you are dealing with the grief of a loss due to su***de.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can get connected to someone who cares and will compassionately listen to you by calling or texting 9-8-8.

LOCALLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES:
- Tuolumne County Su***de Prevention 24/7 Hotline
(209) 533-7000

- Support for survivors of su***de loss
(209) 559-0332 or (209) 532-1328

- Survivors of su***de loss bereavement counseling
(209) 559-0840 or (209) 247-7406 or (209) 559-0332

- Tuolumne County Crisis Intervention Program
Walk-ins accepted 8am - 7pm at 105 Hospital Rd, Sonora, CA

***deawareness ***deawarenessmonth ***deprevention ***depreventionmonth

This week is National Su***de Prevention Week! This is your reminder to never give up hope - because YOU MATTER 💜🩵

Part of su***de prevention and awareness is education. While it can be difficult to learn about su***de, it is an important step in preventing it.

We have compiled some facts from Tuolumne County Public Health reports about local su***des:
- Su***de is the leading cause of death for youth ages 10 - 19 years old in Tuolumne County.
- 29% of Tuolumne County youth deaths for ages 15 - 19 years old are su***de.
- Tuolumne County had the highest rate of su***de-related years of life lost of ANY COUNTY in California in 2022.
- Fi****ms are used in over half of su***des, which is significantly higher than the state average of 35%.

💜THERE IS ALWAYS HELP + HOPE 🩵
Here are some resources, both local and national, that you can reach out to if you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of su***de. There is also a local support group for survivors:

24/7 Su***de Hotline
Call or text 9-8-8

Support Group for Survivors of Su***de Loss
2nd Tuesday of each month
209-559-0332 or 209-532-1328

Survivors of Su***de Loss Bereavement Counseling
209-559-0840 or 209-247-7406 or 209-559-0332

Tuolumne County Su***de Prevention 24/7 Hotline
209-533-7000 or (800) 630-1130

Tuolumne County Crisis Intervention Program
105 Hospital Rd. Sonora, CA Walk-in 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

OUR SOURCES:
Tuolumne County Su***de Report Handout: https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24619/Su***de-Report-Handout

Tuolumne County Health Needs Assessment:
https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26594/TCPH-CHA-Supplement-2023

September is ***deAwarenessMonth. We continually work to support Tuolumne County in preventing su***de and supporting mental wellness efforts. This month, we remember those who we lost to su***de, and we are sending love to everyone who has been impacted by su***de.

To join in the fight against su***de, this month you can attend:
- Hope & Honor Walk on September 14 at Courthouse Park downtown Sonora from 9-11am
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on September 26 from 8am - 4:30pm

If you or someone you know are having thoughts of su***de, there is ALWAYS someone to talk to by calling 9-8-8.

***deprevention ***deawareness

We are now hiring a YES Partnership Deputy Director!

Among other responsibilities, the YES Partnership Deputy Director will be responsibly for assuring the viablity, sustainability, and robust health of prevention programs by fostering a collaborative approach. This is a multifaceted role that will be be very important at YES Partnership.

If you or someone you know is interested in the position, visit atcaa.org/careers to learn more and apply!