Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health Prevention and

Early Intervention Program provides a series

of trainings, community programs,

and supports designed to improve the overall

well-being of our two counties. This is done

through continued assessment of

Sutter-Yuba’s unique regional and cultural needs, as well as the

regular input of community stakeholders.

Prevention and Early Intervention’s underlying

philosophy is to empower the community

through a “help first” approach, reducing the

future occurrence of suffering and need for a

higher level of care.

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New Homeless Assistance Training Developed

Inside:

The Homeless 101 training was developed to address the challenges of

healthcare delivery to persons experiencing homelessness. A commitment to client-

centered care, infused with compassion, is important to sustain a comprehensive,

coordinated, balanced array of human services for homeless individuals and families

in Sutter County in order to reduce homelessness and to create pathways to services

leading to self-sufficiency. The goal is to provide homeless and near homeless peo-

ple in Sutter County with tailored housing solutions and individualized supportive ser-

vices as they work toward permanent housing solutions. The passion and work of

Sutter County staff, along with business leaders, residents, faith-based organizations,

and homeless advocates are key to providing both short and long term solutions to

housing needs and to better understand together how we can meet those challenges.

The goal of the Homeless 101 training is to identify the population served,

identify the resources to serve, identify the channels for referrals, and identify best

practices to be used. Staff from various Sutter County agencies, under the leadership

of Nancy O’Hara, Sutter County Health & Human Services Director, provided this

training to Sutter County Health and Human Services staff on June 21, 2017. The

group plans to provide this training to other groups in the future. For more infor-

mation, please contact John Floe at JFloe@co.sutter.ca.us or 530.674.1885, ext.

114.

Semper Gumby 2

The Council 2

Second Step 3

Girls’ Circle 3

Promotores 4

El Rotafolio 4

Familias Fuertes 5

YMHFA 5

Binational Conference 6

Tri-County Youth Advocacy Summit 6

Rudy’s Corner 7

Life Skills 8

Friday Night Live 8

Understanding Addiction 9

Mental Health Awareness Month 9-10

Artículos en español 4-7

Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health Prevention & Early

Intervention / SUDS Prevention Programs present the

Semper Gumby Award quarterly to individuals and organ-

izations that display qualities represented by the green

clay character who originally showed his flexibility, collab-

oration, and friendship back in the 1950’s.

On May 18, 2017, California Highway Patrol

Officer Jason Stewart was awarded a Semper Gumby

Award for partnering with PEI’s Friday Night Live program

and presenting at the Live Oak Town Hall meeting on the

impact of marijuana on youth.

Semper Gumby Awards

The Live Oak City Council also received a Sem-

per Gumby Award for being a great partner to PEI with

their support of local youth in the Live Oak High School

Friday Night Live (FNL) group. FNL youth and their advi-

sors planned and coordinated a Town Hall meeting to

educate and discuss the impact of marijuana and access

to it for the Live Oak community. The City Council pro-

vided meeting space and advertising for the event, and

members participated in the discussion. PEI appreciates

the support.

The final Semper Gumby Award was presented to Lynne Goodwin of the California Friday Night Live Partnership on May 18, 2017. Ms. Goodwin presented at the Live Oak High School Friday Night Live Town Hall Meeting, providing greater under-standing for parents and youth on the impact marijuana has on youth brain development. A survey conducted by the youth at the high school showed that only 34% of students on campus felt that marijuana is an issue that needs to be addressed, but 69% of the students surveyed know someone who smokes mari-juana. These two statistics made a case for limited perceived danger and high exposure to marijuana use, which normalizes the behavior, important thinking patterns for discussion in the community.

The Council for Boys and Young Men is a skill building and support group offered to middle and high school youth.

There are multiple curricula available from the One Circle Foundation that created The Circle. For the 2016-2017 school

year, PEI staff member, Cory Quinn, implemented the Men of Honor curriculum at Marysville High School, Harry P.B.

Carden School at the Maxine Singer Youth Guidance Center, and Albert Powell High School. The curriculum teaches young

men, ages 13 years and older, to examine rigid and harmful gender norms and to develop definitions of manhood guided by

respect and non-violent behaviors. It uses fun, thought-provoking and uniquely designed activities to engage participants to

work together towards becoming respected leaders and allies in their communities. The program graduated 24 students.

Plans are in place to return to those schools this school year, as well as to add a group at South Lindhurst High School.

The Council

Second step program

During the spring 2017 semester, PEI resource special-

ist, Cynthia Martinez, provided instruction to first and third

grade students at Nuestro Elementary School using the Second

Step curriculum. Students learned about the importance of

voicing their feelings, dealing with difficult feelings, making

friends, identifying other people’s feelings by looking at cues,

and getting along with one another. A parent shared that she

has seen improvement in her son’s ability to handle emotional

and stressful situations since he started participating in the pro-

gram. Second Step is a social-emotional learning program for

elementary and middle schools. Nuestro School was very thank-

ful to PEI for supporting their students and staff by providing

this curriculum.

During the spring semester of 2017, PEI resource spe-cialists, Cynthia Martinez and Kristen Batchelder, ran five Girls’ Circles in various schools in Yuba and Sutter counties. Girls’ Cir-cle is a support and skill building group for middle and high school girls with weekly themed curriculum designed by One Circle Foundation. Girls’ Circle is designed to foster self-esteem, help girls maintain authentic connection with peers and adult women in their community, and allow for genuine self-expression through verbal sharing and creative activities.

During one of the groups, the girls were asked to finish the sentence: Girls Circle to me is… and they said, “Good so, us girls can talk and vent about everything”, “Empowering”, “Fun… has been a good experience to me”, “is relaxing, fun…”, “is really fun to me, I like it…”

Other girls at other groups have mentioned that they appreciated “…friendships we’ve developed and getting to know the other girls in the circle” and they have noticed that they are more open since they joined the Girls’ Circle. Another girl mentioned that she has noticed her attitude has changed since she joined the Girls’ Circle. Another girl mentioned that what she liked about the Girls’ Circle was that “it was calming.” The Girls’ Circle is a strengths-based and evidence-based program recognized by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that increases pro-tective factors and improves healthy relationships with others in an engaging way. The response to these groups and to the curriculum has been so positive that for the 2017-2018 school year, PEI is preparing to run nine Girls’ Circle groups at different schools and with various age groups. The school staff at the schools that have had Girls’ Circles have really appreciated this program and are asking for more support for their youth.

Girls’ Circle

PROMOTORES/AS

Promotores is an exciting program launched last winter by Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health to improve access to mental health in-

formation and community resources of many different kinds for our Latino community. Promotores are Hispanic/Latino community mem-

bers who receive specialized training to provide basic health education and information about general well-being in the community. They

are liaisons between communities and service providers, and may be advocates. The group is made up of leaders, and potential leaders,

both women and men, from the Sutter-Yuba-Colusa community, who share language, culture, ethnicity, and/or experiences with the Latino

community. Promotores build a sense of empowerment, community, trust, respect, and knowledge.

Who can become a Promotor or Promotora? Anyone who helps, or wants to help, the community. If that person is you, you are

already a Promotor. If you would like more information about getting involved with the program and participating in future trainings, con-

tact Rudy Rodriguez or Cynthia Martinez, PEI Resource Specialists, or Yesenia Vazquez, Promotora, at 530.674.1885.

Estamos muy emocionados porque en el invierno pasado empezamos un programa nuevo de promotores en el programa de Salud

y Bienestar de Sutter-Yuba con la intención de mejorar el acceso a recursos e información sobre la Salud Mental y recursos en general para

la comunidad Latina. Los Promotores son miembros de la comunidad Latina quienes recibieron una capacitación sobre la salud general pa-

ra seguir apoyando, abogando y empoderando la comunidad. Nuestra visión es que los promotores sean puentes entre la comunidad y los

proveedores de servicios médicos, así como otras agencias que proveen servicios y recursos. El grupo de promotores está compuesto por

líderes comunitarios, voluntarios y futuros líderes, ambos hombres y mujeres de la comunidad de Sutter-Yuba-Colusa los cuales son miem-

bros de la comunidad Latina y comparten el mismo idioma, cultura y experiencias en la comunidad.

¿Quién puede ser un Promotor o Promotora? Todo el que quiera ayudar o ya este ayudando a la gente de la comunidad. Si usted

es una de esas personas en la comunidad que ya apoya, entonces ya es un promotor. Si le gustaría involucrarse más con el programa y par-

ticipar en los eventos y capacitaciones que tengamos próximamente, por favor llame a Rudy Rodriguez o Cynthia Martinez, Especialistas en

Recursos de PEI, o Yesenia Vazquez, Promotora, al 530.674.1885.

El Rotafolio is a suicide prevention awareness training for

the Spanish-speaking community sponsored as part of the “Know

the Signs Campaign by the California Mental Health Services Au-

thority. On January 5 and 6, 2017, El Rotafolio Training-for-Trainers

was provided free-of-charge to 18 participants / Promotores from

Sutter, Yuba, Colusa and Tehama Counties. The training was de-

signed to provide participants with the knowledge and ability to

conduct presentations on suicide prevention in Spanish to their

local communities. The training was conducted entirely in Spanish

by Rosio Pedroso, a consultant with the California Mental Health

Services Authority. The training provided participants with cultural-

ly relevant knowledge about how to recognize the signs of suicide

risk and start a conversation. It increased awareness, and most

importantly, reminds participants that suicide is preventable.

Since January, participants of that Train-the-Trainer work-

shop have conducted three trainings for the Spanish-speaking

community, increasing awareness about suicide each time. They

plan to continue conducting El Rotafolio workshops in the future.

For more information, please contact Cynthia Martinez at CMar-

tinez@co.sutter.ca.us or Rudy Rodriguez at RRodri-

guez@co.sutter.ca.us.

El Rotafolio El Rotafolio es un entrenamiento para levantar conciencia

sobre suicidio y ayudar a su prevención entre la comunidad Latina.

La capacitación fue patrocinada gracias a la campaña de

“Reconozca las Señales” del departamento de servicios de Salud

Mental de California. Los días 5 y 6 de Enero, 2017, el entrena-

miento para formadores de El Rotafolio fue proporcionado de ma-

nera gratuita a 18 participantes / Promotores de los condados de

Colusa, Sutter, Yuba y Tehama. El entrenamiento fue diseñado pa-

ra proporcionar a los participantes el conocimiento y la capacidad

para llevar a cabo presentaciones sobre la prevención del suicidio

en español a las comunidades locales. Rocio Pedroso, una instruc-

tora de la autoridad de servicios de Salud Mental de California dio

la capacitación la cual se llevó a cabo totalmente en español. La

capacitación le dio a los participantes el conocimiento cultural rele-

vante sobre cómo reconocer las señales del suicidio, riesgos y co-

mo iniciar una conversación con alguien que esta pensando en el

suicidio. La capacitación ayudo a tener una mayor conciencia sobre

el tema, pero lo más importante, es que recordó a los participantes

que el suicidio es prevenible.

Desde enero, los participantes de esta capacitación han

llevado a cabo tres cursos de capacitación para la comunidad Lati-

na. El Rotafolio ha aumentado la conciencia sobre el suicidio en

nuestra comunidad Latina. Los promotores planean continuar lle-

vando a cabo talleres de El Rotafolio en el futuro en diferentes

condados. Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto

con Cynthia Martinez en CMartinez@co.sutter.ca.us o Rudy Rodri-

guez en RRodriguez@co.sutter.ca.us .

Familias Fuertes / Strengthening Families

In winter and spring, PEI collaborated with Gray Avenue

Middle School to offer a Spanish version of the Strengthening Fami-

lies Program, Familias Fuertes, at Gray Avenue Middle School. Fami-

lies with youth ages 10-14 had the opportunity to participate in

youth sessions, parent sessions, and family sessions. Dinner for the

families and childcare for younger family members were also provid-

ed. PEI staff Kristen Batchelder, Cynthia Martinez, and Yesenia

Vazquez facilitated the sessions, while Leticia Ramirez and the Blue

Jays of Gray Avenue provided childcare and coordinated dinner.

Ten families started the program, and eight families fin-

ished the seven weeks plus orientation nine weeks later. The evacu-

ation of 2017 caused a postponement of a class, but families re-

turned ready to learn only a week after having been evacuated from

their homes.

En el invierno e inicio de la primavera, el equipo de PEI con

la colaboración de la escuela Gray Avenue Middle School ofreció la

clase de Familias Fuertes en la escuela Gray Ave. Familias con jóve-

nes de 10-14 años de edad tuvieron la oportunidad de participar en

clases de jóvenes, padres/madres y de familias. Las familias compar-

tieron una cena cada noche de clases y se ofreció cuidado de niños

para los pequeños y pequeñas que no podían participar. El equipo

de PEI, Kristen Batchelder, Cynthia Martinez y Yesenia Vazquez diri-

gieron las sesiones, mientras que Leticia Ramirez y los Blue Jays de

Gray Ave coordinaron las cenas y el cuidado infantil.

Diez familias empezaron el programa y ocho familias culmi-

naron el programa que consiste de las siete semanas más una orien-

tación. Por causa de la evacuación del 2017, la clase se pospuso por

una semana, pero las familias regresaron listas para aprender y di-

vertirse juntas. Durante la última sesión, las familias celebraron todo

lo aprendido y recibieron un certificado de participación.

Youth Mental Health First Aid in español Youth Mental Health First Aid is an eight-hour program which introduces participants to unique risk factors and warning signs of

mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The workshop uses role playing and simulations to demonstrate how to assess a mental health crisis; select interventions and provide initial help; and connect young people to professional, peer, social, and self-help care.

PEI resource specialists, Cynthia Martinez and Rudy Rodriguez, offered the second Youth Mental Health First Aid in Spanish in the Yuba-Sutter community. Participants enjoyed the training and provided positive feedback. There continues to be a lot of interest in the training. It is clear that more work is needed. People in the Latino community don’t have many opportunities to talk openly and hon-estly about mental health due to the stigma around the topic. That stigma makes it even more difficult to access services for themselves and/or for family members. PEI plans to continue offering Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid in English and in Spanish to continue getting this important information out to the community. If you are interested in one of these trainings, please contact the PEI team at PEI@co.sutter.ca.us or 530.674.1885 for more information.

Primeros auxilios para la Salud Mental de los Jóvenes en Estados Unidos es un programa de ocho horas que le introduce a los participantes a los factores de riesgo y señales de advertencia de que existe un problema de salud mental en adolescentes, y da a enten-der la importancia de la intervención temprana. Además, enseñar a los individuos a cómo ayudar a un adolescente en crisis o que este experimentando un problema de salud mental. El taller utiliza juegos interactivos y simulaciones para demostrar cómo evaluar una crisis de salud mental; como seleccionar las intervenciones y proporcionar ayuda inicial; como conectar a jóvenes con profesionales, compañe-ros, trabajador social y el buscar grupos de autoayuda.

Especialistas en recursos de prevención e intervención temprana (PEI), Cynthia Martínez y Rudy Rodríguez, ofrecieron por se-gunda ocasión el programa de Primeros auxilios para la Salud Mental de los Jóvenes en Estados Unidos en español en la comunidad de Yuba-Sutter. Los participantes disfrutaron del entrenamiento y proporcionaron retroalimentación positiva. Sigue habiendo un gran inte-rés en el programa. Está claro que se necesita seguir trabajo en este tema. Personas en la comunidad Latina no tienen muchas oportuni-dades de hablar abiertamente y honestamente sobre la salud mental debido al estigma alrededor del tema. El estigma hace aún más difícil tener acceso a los servicios para personas que sufren de un trastorno mental o para miembros de la familia.

El programa de prevención e intervención temprana (PEI) planea seguir ofreciendo el entrenamiento de primeros auxilios para la Salud Mental para adultos y Primeros auxilios para la Salud Mental de los Jóvenes en Estados Unidos en inglés y en español para seguir exponiendo esta importante información a la comunidad Latina. Si usted está interesado en uno de estos entrenamientos, por favor pón-gase en contacto con el equipo del programa de prevención e intervención temprana (PEI) utilizando el correo electrónico PEI@co.sutter.ca.us o 530.674.1885 ext. 110 o 111.

Binational conference In May, seven Promotores, including PEI team members,

Yesenia Vazquez and Cynthia Martinez, participated in the XVII Conferencia Binacional de Promotores (XVII Bi-National Promo-tores Conference). This conference is held every year where Pro-motores convene to share experiences, motivate one another, and continue to empower themselves in order to continue their work in the community. Promotores from the United States, primarily California, as well as from Zacatecas, a state in Mexico, come to-gether to share experiences.

During the conference, participants had the opportunity to expand their networks and exchange educational materials and resources in order to continue and improve the work they are do-ing in their communities. This year, the Mexican Consulate provid-ed a great deal of information for Promotores to share about the many services it can provide to the community. There were also very good resources and information shared about mental health services available for migrants, such as a free crisis line with psy-chological assistance sponsored by the Secretary of Health of Gua-najuato (1-877-223-7725). Another was a number that you can text for help (011-52-55-52-12-12).

The Promotores group is also continuing to meet and work together to organize a “Know your Rights” as an immigrant in the United States to inform community members about their rights. The hope is to reduce the fear people are experiencing due to the many changes taking place and for the Latino community to learn more about resources available. En mayo, siete promotores incluyendo Yesenia Vazquez y Cynthia Martinez de nuestro equipo de PEI pudieron participar en la XVII Conferencia Binacional de Promotores. Esta conferencia ocurre cada año y es un evento en donde Promotores se reúnen para compartir experiencias, motivarse unas/os a otras/os, y conti-nuar empoderándose para continuar su trabajo de día a día en la comunidad. Promotores de los Estados Unidos, principalmente de California, así como promotores de México, principalmente del estado de Zacatecas se reúnen y comparten experiencias.

Durante la conferencia, los participantes tuvieron la opor-tunidad de expandir sus redes de apoyo entre sí y de compartir

materiales educativos así como recursos para mejorar y continuar con el trabajo que se lleva a cabo en las comunidades. Este año, El consulado Mexicano proveyó una gran cantidad de información a los/as promotores para compartir acerca de todos los servicios que el Consulado puede proveer a la comunidad de migrantes Me-xicanos en los Estados Unidos y en México. También había muchos recursos e información muy buena sobre la salud mentar y servi-cios disponibles como es la línea gratuita de atención psicológica para migrantes operada por la Secretaria de Salud de Guanajuato y funciona en EEUU y México las 24 horas del día 7 días a la semana (1-877-223-7725). Otro recurso era el número de asistencia psico-lógica para migrantes, una línea de WhatsApp para enviar mensa-jes (011-52-55-52-12-12, +52-1-55-7518-5547, +52-1-55-4544-9743) los cuales se pueden usar de lunes a viernes de 8:00am a 11:00pm y son operadas por especialistas en salud mental de los Centros de Integración Juvenil (CIJ). El grupo de promotores de nuestros condados continúa reuniéndose y trabajando juntos para organizar una reunión co-munitaria e informar a la gente sobre sus derechos como inmi-grantes. La esperanza es que de esta manera se pueda reducir el miedo que mucha gente está sintiendo debido a los cambios que están ocurriendo en el país, y de la misma manera compartir con la gente recursos gratis y de bajo costo que tenemos disponibles en la comunidad.

In the spring, Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI), Sutter County Public Health, and

Colusa County Public Health collaborated to hold a Tri-County Youth Advocacy Summit in Yuba City. The focus was primarily on tobacco use prevention and leadership. Approximately 35 youth attended from multiple high schools in the tri-county area. Because of the positive response to the event, plans for another youth summit have already begun. PEI’s Friday Night Live will collaborate with Public Health organizations across the northern region to hold another youth advo-cacy summit in November. After hearing about the success of last year’s event, more counties want to participate in what will now be called the Nor Cal Regional Summit. The training will train and prepare students to learn how to advocate for sub-stance use prevention and mental health awareness issues through a coalition. They will learn the steps to advocacy, how to speak to local government through a mock city council, and many other advocacy skills. The event was moved to the begin-ning of the school year to give the students all the tools they need to accomplish their goals throughout the school year. For more information, please contact Cory Quinn at CQuinn@co.sutter.ca.us or 530.674.1885, ext. 108.

Tri-County Youth Advocacy Summit

Rudy’s corner The Latino Support Group is a group for Spanish-speaking community members that provides an opportunity

for healing, thought sharing, and supporting each other. The group continues to be very solid; we are coming into our fourth year since it started back in December of 2013. Currently, there are between 4-7 participants in the group. All participants come voluntarily because they feel comfortable and able to share their thoughts without fear of being judged or criticized for their mistakes. My hope is for the group to grow as participants bring their families, friends, and other community members to talk about addiction, anger management and other topics that help build a better rela-tionship with their families.

We continue to provide education to the Latino community at community events to raise awareness about mental health and to reduce the stigma associated with mental health in the Latino community. It is my goal to contin-ue to provide mental health prevention information at community events, churches and other community events. In the spring, I shared information at the Baby Fair in Yuba county in May.

We have provided many presentations on issues that are of interest in the Latino community at Linda Elemen-tary and Cedar Lane Elementary this year. Parents at those schools were trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid in Spanish. They enjoyed the training and were very appreciative that Behavioral Health was able to provide trainings in Spanish. All participants at the YMHFA training mentioned that the training gave them a better understanding of mental health.

Last year, two Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) classes were offered at the PEI office for Spanish speaking com-munity members. They were well attended. In 2017, it’s my goal to continue to provide additional NHA classes at churches, schools, and in the community.

In 2017, one goal for PEI is to start family resource centers in conjunction with Feather River Academy and T.E. Mathews School. Students and families can benefit from the centers because there will be a numerous resources and services available at there, or by referral elsewhere. My goal is to be able to hold parenting classes, as well as substance use disorder education classes at both centers.

El grupo de apoyo para latinos es un grupo de miembros de la comunidad Latina que proporciona una oportu-nidad para sanar, por medio del compartir y el apoyo mutuo. El grupo sigue siendo muy sólido; Estamos llegando a nuestro cuarto año desde que se inició en diciembre de 2013. Actualmente, hay entre 4-7 participantes en el grupo. Todos los participantes vienen voluntariamente porque se sienten cómodos y capaces de compartir sus pensamientos sin temor a ser juzgados o criticados por sus errores. Mi esperanza es que el grupo siga creciendo y que los participan-tes inviten a sus familias, amigos y otros miembros de la comunidad para hablar sobre la adicción, manejo de compor-tamiento y otros temas que ayudan a construir una mejor relación con sus familias.

Continuamos a proveer educación a la comunidad Latina en eventos de la comunidad para crear conciencia sobre la salud mental y a reducir el estigma asociado con la salud mental en la comunidad Latina. Es mi meta el seguir aportando información sobre la prevención de salud mental en eventos comunitarios, como la feria del niño en el con-dado de Yuba, las iglesias y escuelas.

Hemos incluido muchas presentaciones sobre temas de interés en la comunidad Latina en las escuelas ele-mentarías de Linda y Cedar Lane en este año. Los padres en las escuelas fueron capacitados en los Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental para jóvenes en los Estados Unidos. Los participantes gozaron de la formación y estuvieron muy agrade-cidos de que el departamento de Salud y Bienestar proporciono estos cursos de capacitación en español de manera gratuita. Todos los participantes que estuvieron en este entrenamiento menciono que la capacitación les dio un mejor entendimiento sobre salud mental.

El año pasado, dos clases del enfoque de nutrir el corazón (NHA) fueron ofrecidas en la oficina de prevención e intervención temprana (PEI) para miembros de la comunidad Latina del Condado de Sutter. En 2017, es mi meta el se-guir ofreciendo clases adicionales de NHA en iglesias, escuelas y dentro de la comunidad Latina.

En 2017, uno de los objetivos del departamento de prevención e intervención temprana (PEI) es abrir un cen-tro de recursos para la familia en las escuelas de Academia de Feather River y T.E. Mathews. Los estudiantes y sus fa-milias pueden beneficiarse de los centros porque habrá numerosos recursos y servicios disponibles que pueden bene-ficiar a los estudiantes y las familias, o dar referencias a otros departamentos. Mi objetivo es de ofrecer clases para padres, así como clases de Educación de trastorno del uso de sustancia en ambos centros.

Life skills

In the spring semester, PEI provided the Botvin Life Skills Pro-gram for Elementary School to third and fifth grade students at the Lin-crest Elementary School After-School Program. The Life Skills Training Program is a developmentally appropriate substance abuse and violence prevention program designed for upper elementary school students to help increase self-esteem, develop healthy attitudes, and improve knowledge of essential life skills - all of which promote healthy and posi-tive personal development.

At the end of the program, students shared what they liked and what they learned from participating in the class. Some of the com-ments:

“… I enjoyed life skill because it helped us learn about everyday problems. I even got to learn about different types of stress. It really helped me in a lot of different ways… Thank you for the opportunity to learn about and deal with everyday problems.”

Another student shared that he “learned about stress and ac-tive listening and passive behavior. I really liked learning about our prob-lems.”

“I learned good choices to make! I learned some good and bad character traits!”

“One thing I learned in Life Skills is not to smoke because it can get you cancer, don’t believe in ads, they are not all good for you…”

“… I learned how to make (healthy) choices” PEI also offered the six week Life Skills Transitions Program,

which is designed to promote positive health and personal development

independent adults. It discusses relationships, decision mak-ing, time and money management and other related skills. The program uses developmentally appropriate, collabora-tive learning strategies to help students achieve competen-cy in the skills that have been shown to prevent substance use, violence, and other health risk behaviors. The program was successfully implemented at Juvenile Hall, Camp Singer, and Albert Powell High School.

Friday Night Live

In August 2016, Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health (SYBH) Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI) Program took responsi-bility for direct implementation of the Friday Night Live (FNL) program. The 2016-17 school year has been a development year, with only one FNL school chapter retaining its advisor from years prior, East Nicolaus High School. This year, we have established three additional chapters in high schools in Yuba and Sutter counties: Sutter Union High School, Live Oak High School, and Marysville High School. PEI intervention counselor / FNL coordinator, Cory Quinn, and peer mentor, Yesenia Vazquez, have worked with the returning and new advisors. With this being the first year of implementation for SYBH, the focus has been on capacity building and establishing the groups.

Chapter meetings are skill building and leadership development trainings for any interested students at the school, and are provided by the advisor and FNL coordinator twice a month. Leadership meetings take place an additional two times a month, and focus on the group’s community or school project. Each chapter selects a project based on an assess-ment of their community’s environmental prevention needs. The leadership meetings are mandatory for the elected board of the chapter, but any interested students are welcome.

This year, the Sutter High School community lost a student to suicide. The FNL chapter there hopes to develop a peer-support system for students who are feeling disconnected on campus by providing suicide awareness and prevention training to the whole student body, and getting additional training for the FNL chapter members. Marysville High School FNL students want to develop a policy on campus regarding bullying. The FNL students at East Nicolaus High School have identified stress and anxiety as a problems on campus and want to develop a toolkit to provide to students.

The students at the Live Oak High School FNL chapter chose to tackle marijuana issues in the community this year. As a result of their efforts, the city council passed a ban on all commercial sale and growing of marijuana in the City of Live Oak. The ban passed 3-2 with the deciding vote explicitly stating it was the youths’ message that changed his mind. The students advocated that not enough time has been given to address the impact of allowing commercial marijuana in their town. Currently, the ordinance has not yet been written, however, as of May 17, 2017, the town will only allow indoor growing of 6 plants or less. PEI plans to support additional high schools with establishing Friday Night Live chapters in the 2017-18. There is

also a possibility of middle school and community chapters in the future.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health and Mental Health America

partnered to get the word out by placing an ad in the Appeal-Democrat to increase awareness and to educate

the community, as well as to provide some resource information.

Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) program staff were out in the community at multiple events

throughout the month with lime green ribbons, cookies, a pinwheel making activity, a stress reduction takeaway

(otherwise known as everyone’s favorite packing bubble wrap), and lots of other giveaways and information

about free trainings through PEI, services through Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health, and general behavioral health

information.

Over 1500 people attended those community events, and many of them

stopped by the PEI table to learn more about mental health.

May is mental health Awareness month

Understanding Addiction

About This Newsletter

Contributors: Kristen Batchelder, John Floe, Cynthia Martinez, Cory Quinn, Rudy Rodriguez, Yesenia Vazquez

Editor: Kristen Batchelder

People around the world experiment with drugs or alcohol for many different reasons. Many first try drugs or alcohol out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to fit in. Others try drugs to improve athletic performance or to ease another problem such as stress, anxiety, or depression. The use of alcohol or drugs doesn’t automatically lead to abuse, and there is no specific level at which drug or alcohol use moves from casual to problematic. The fact is that addiction affects everyone differently. Drug abuse or ad-diction is not about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, but rather the consequences of drug use. So, no matter how often or how much the individual consumes, if the drug/alcohol use is causing problems at work, at school, at home, or in relationships, it is likely to be a drug abuse or addiction problem.

With that, let’s remove the first myth about addiction: many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs or alcohol and often mistakenly assume that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behaviour. The reality is that drug / alcohol addiction is a complex brain disease and quitting takes more than good intentions or strong will.

Let’s be clear that addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seek-ing and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, alcohol or drug use changes brain development over time, challenges an addicted person’s self-control, and hampers his or her ability to resist intensive cravings. Ultimately, the abuser often ends up relapsing on their drug of choice. Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseas-es, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal treatment failure, but rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated or adjusted or that alternative treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.

Local Resources:

Mental Health America of Yuba-Sutter: 530.822.7178

Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health: 1965 Live Oak Blvd., Yuba City 530.822.7200

Adult Open Access: Mondays – Thursdays, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (English)

Youth Walk-In Triage: Mondays & Thursdays, 8:30 am – 11:00 am

Psychiatric Emergency Services (24 hours/day): 530.673.8255

SYBH Off-Site Locations:

Latino Outreach Center: 545 Garden Hwy., Yuba City 530.674.1885, ext. 104

Open Access: Thursdays, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Spanish)

Hmong Outreach Center: 4853 Olivehurst Ave., Olivehurst 530.749.2746

Sutter-Yuba Network of Care: http://sutter.networkofcare.org/mh/index.aspx

Learn more by attending FREE trainings!

Prevention & Early Intervention 530.674.1885