National Prevention Week 2021
National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, mental health and/or substance use disorders. Communities make prevention happen every day –not just during NPW – and NPW is the perfect time to promote and celebrate prevention activities and resources in our communities.
Purpose of National Prevention Week
The three primary goals of National Prevention Week are to:
- Involve communities in raising awareness of substance use and mental health issues and in implementing prevention strategies, and showcasing effectiveness of evidence-based prevention programs;
- Foster partnerships and collaborations with federal agencies and national organizations dedicated to improving public health; and
- Promote and disseminate quality substance use prevention and mental health promotion resources and publications.
National Prevention Week’s daily themes
- Monday, May 10: Preventing Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse
- Everyone should know how to save a life from opioid overdose. Attend a Narcan training today!
- Join us to view the 30 minute documentary "If They Had Known", an eye-opening account of the dangers of mixing prescription drugs with alcohol. Register by e-mail to info@positivedirections.org.
- Tuesday, May 11: Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse
- Wednesday, May 12: Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use
- Visit Fairfield CARES on the Sherman Town Green for our Youth Committee's 'Calm for the Community' Wellness Fair from 3-5 pm and to check out the CT ChangeTheScript Prevention Van!
- Thursday, May 13: Preventing Youth Tobacco Use (E-Cigarettes and Vaping)
- Friday, May 14: Preventing Suicide
- Attend a Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gate-Keeper Training and/or request a Trainer from Fairfield CARES to offer a training to your organization.
Check out our bulletin highlighting many additional happenings this May in Fairfield, with resources and flyers hyperlinked for easy registration to events.
NPW is celebrated in Connecticut by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the CT Clearinghouse, the Center for Prevention and Evaluation (CPES), the Governor’s Prevention Partnership (GPP), the Prevention Training and Technical Assistance Service Center (TTASC) Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations (RBHAOs), and the Local Prevention Councils (like Fairfield CARES) and coalitions serving CT communities.
#PreventionHappensHereCT
#PreventionHappensHereCT is the official NPW2021 # for Connecticut. The 2021 Connecticut Statewide National Prevention Week Committee will debut our new prevention mascot for the State of Connecticut! This mascot is meant to be used for all aspects of National Prevention Week and throughout the year. Similar as Gizmo, the mascot for suicide prevention, our new mascot can be used on promotional materials, handouts, social media posts, and more!
The Starfish was specifically chosen as it has many arms – representative of the many aspects of prevention. Check out the 2021 National Prevention Week Promo below and submit your suggestion for a fitting name for our new mascot here.
The Media Subcommittee, in collaboration with prevention professionals and leaders across the state, produced a public service announcement (PSA) that emphasizes the need for Connecticut to take a collective approach to prevention, now and moving forward.
Gizmo's Pawesome Guide for Mental Health
Did you see Gizmo on TV on May 10th? Catch a replay here:
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