Pray for Sleep Rocks out Loud for Mental Health Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a web page. Rocking and Raising Awareness with Pray for Sleep If you went to last year’s We Are The Majority Rally, you’ll remember Pray For Sleep, the hard rock band that made a lot of noise and raised a lot of awareness about mental health. Well, they’re coming back for more at this year’s Virtual We Are The Majority Rally! Pray for Sleep is comprised of young adults from Westerville with shared passions for music and mental health awareness. Hayden, the guitarist, saw a video of the drummer, Reno, playing at a parade. Hayden reached out to Reno, and they started jamming together. Their mission is to bring a positive message to a seemingly dark world and remind people that they aren't alone. In pursuit of that mission, Pray for Sleep will be releasing their new album Behind Our Eyes to promote mental health awareness month and are partnering with On Our Sleeves through their “Scream Back” program. Recently, we had an opportunity to ask questions of Pray for Sleep's lead vocalist, Grant DeCrane. Our questions and his answers are below. Q: Are you excited to perform at the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally? A: Absolutely! We love what you are doing, and any chance we get to work with people that have a similar heart and passion as we do, we always jump at the opportunity. It is an amazing chance not only for us to play to a new crowd, but more importantly to reach people that need to hear a positive message and show them that there is hope. Q: We've read that your band members have dealt with depression and anxiety and you use your music to give young people a voice. Why is it important to talk about mental health? Why did you open up about your experience? A: Mental health has always had some taboo connotations to it, but it's a topic that needs to be spoken about. We realized all of us suffered the most when we were silent or felt like we were alone. We've lost friends and family members to these issues because they felt like they couldn't talk about it with anyone, and they had to just suffer on their own until it became too much to bear. We realized if it was too hard for the people that are hurting to reach out, we could start reaching out to the hurting instead. We shared our stories to encourage people, show them that they aren't alone in their struggles, and say that there is hope in all situations. None of us are 100% healed and healthy, but we're on that journey of recovery, and we want everyone to feel welcome to join us. We want people to be open with how they are feeling, not just giving shallow and hollow answers when people ask how they are, but being willing to admit that they aren't okay at the moment, and even asking for help if need be. Honest conversation about mental health is a simple way to start shining a light on this dark situation we find ourselves in, and it's something our society desperately needs. Our biggest goal is to see the numbers of depression, anxiety, and suicide on the decline rather than incline, to not lose any more friends, or family members, or school mates, or co-workers because they felt too alone to continue this life, and to bring hope and comfort to the hurting. Q: What does youth empowerment mean to you? A: We noticed right away that people were interested in what we had to say, partially because it was different, but also partially because we were young. Empowering more and more young people to speak out and take the lead in this recovery is such an integral part of the change we want to see. Without young people invested in and leading the effort to change, things will lose steam, so the fact that you push that and prioritize that is a huge deal. We always encourage young people to take the lead and step out and be the change they want to see, and it is so hugely encouraging seeing others doing the same thing. Q: What do you mean with your "We Are Not Alone" message? What connections do you see between the We Are The Majority Rally message and this message? A: We call our fans “insomniacs” and build our community around the love of music and the fact that we are going through some things that might be hard to talk about. The whole message of “We Are Not Alone” is meant to let people know we are all in this together (“We”) and don’t have to go through these things by ourselves (“Are Not Alone”). We spend time after shows talking to people and sharing our stories. Spending part of our show talking about our struggles has really connected with people who may be struggling. If we can do it in front of hundreds of people, it makes it easier for one person to reach out to another one. They both have the same general point; whatever you're dealing with, or committing to, there are people that stand beside you and behind you to support you when things are difficult, and the people around you are what is going to make the difference in this life. We Are The Majority, and We Believe Like everyone in the majority of young people who don't use drugs and alcohol, first year Youth Council member Josh Poole has his reasons for believing in the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Here what he has to say in our new video. And check out the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally on May 15 for more youth testimonies on the importance of We Believe, We Persist, We Prevent, the theme of this year's event. Tune in Friday, May 15, at www.mjstream.tv/watmvr. Register for the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally Every year, the Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network at Prevention Action Alliance, funded by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, hosts the We Are the Majority Rally to challenge negative stereotypes of young people and raise awareness around the fact that the majority of youth choose not to use drugs and alcohol. This year, we’ve had to make it the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally to combat the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people across Ohio. Learn more about the Virtual We Are The Majority Rally and sign up for updates at preventionactionalliance.org/watm-rally/. And don't forget to tune in on Friday, May 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and at www.mjstream.tv/watmvr. Get Email Updates Follow Us on Facebook Save the Date What We're Doing about COVID-19 Our office continues to telecommute in order to combat the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. We’ve also canceled all in-person events between now and May 31st. For a full list of which events have been canceled and all other updates about how we’re responding to COVID-19, please visit our website. We've made many of our events digital ones, including: The G.A.P. Network Virtual Statewide Summit on May 6 The Virtual We Are The Majority Rally on May 15 Finding Calm in the Storm: Dealing with Difficult Emotions in Times of Crises Finding Calm in the Storm: Managing Sadness and Grief Finding Calm in the Storm: Managing Anxiety and Fear Finding Calm in the Storm: Managing Anger and Frustration We will continue to evaluate telecommuting and events on an ongoing basis moving forward. Check our website and this newsletter for updates. Find Resources on Our Website Meet the New and Improved Parents Who Host The wait is over! Our revamped and modern Parents Who Host Lost the Most campaign is ready to go. On our website, you will find a different membership, new products, and updated resources to get your campaign started. The new Parents Who Host campaign carries the same message as the old, but it has a fresh look and a member center that is complete with new resources to keep your efforts impactful. These new resources include a digital implementation guidebook, social media resources, press engagement tools, and more. In the member center, you’ll find all the tools you need to plan, launch, and even evaluate your media campaign. If you have a legacy Parents Who Host account, you will not lose access to that. Simply sign in on our website. If you are ready for the revitalized campaign to keep your work fresh and engaging, head over to our shop to sign up for a new membership. We have kept the price for a membership the same $50 that you have all come to know. However, to provide for continued development of this campaign for years to come, we have changed the membership cost to a yearly subscription. This change will allow us to continue supplying you with the updated resources and tools you need to spread the message that Parents Who Host Lose the Most. If you have any questions about the campaign or need assistance getting started, email [email protected]. Check out the New Parents Who Host Lose The Most Training Opportunities and Resources You Can Use The G.A.P. Network Virtual Statewide Summit The G.A.P. Network intended to host a statewide summit in June to support families impacted by addiction and to help them take action to create community change. However, due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19, we are now making The G.A.P. Network Statewide Summit a virtual event. This upcoming summit will be held virtually on May 6, 2020, from 10-11:30 a.m. and will still provide families with a place of healing and support. This summit will feature Karen Vadino, a nationally recognized speaker and humorist. Karen was well received at The G.A.P. Network Regional Summits held in Dayton and Findlay earlier in the year. She will continue to bring her style of humor and understanding to help people experiencing grief. With a focus on resiliency, the summit will offer practical tips and tools to help parents, families, and loved ones cope with the loss of a loved one due to substance misuse, addiction, or overdose. Together, we’ll become resilient, work through our grief, find our voice, and turn our grief into advocacy for prevention. Join Us and Karen Vadino at The G.A.P. Network Virtual Statewide Summit Finding Calm in the Storm: A Virtual Training Series on Resiliency When our life situation becomes stormy, the calm that matters most is the peace we can access internally. This series of talks will provide steps you can take to build your internal reservoir of solace when it’s not available in the outside world and how you can manage difficult emotions. Through acknowledging and accepting our feelings, comforting ourselves in times of difficulty, and recognizing our common humanity, we can weather the difficult challenges that come our way. Finding Calm in the Storm is a four-part series on resiliency. In order, the parts cover dealing with difficult emotions in times of crisis, managing sadness and grief, managing fear and anxiety, and managing anger and frustration. Register—Part I Register—Part II Register—Part III Register—Part IV Everyday Prevention Principles As we all adjust to a new normal and cope with the full impacts of COVID-19 we want to remind parents and preventionists across Ohio that we have tools, research, and expertise to support Ohioans of all ages. Prevention Action Alliance wants to share these practical tips that you can use immediately to support a happy, healthy, safe, and drug-free family, home, and community. We’re helping youth emerge happy, healthy, and resilient….because Everyone Has A Role in Prevention. These Practical Principles, like the one below, are based on the Developmental Asset Framework established by Search Institute. Many factors influence the development and well-being of young people. Young people who have support from their family and community and who hold positive values and good self-esteem are more likely to succeed and make healthy choices. This is true even when traumatic events affect them. Guiding Growth Establish a group chat with your neighbors so that everyone can keep the health, welfare, and safety of the kids in the neighborhood a high priority as we navigate these uncertain times together Sign up for the Series SAMHSA Offers COVID-19 Training and Technical Assistance The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has compiled lists of products and resources for tackling behavioral health challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are resources for supporting public health workers’ mental health, practicing self-care through yoga, leading during times of chaos, providing telehealth services, using text messages as part of treating substance use disorders, and more. View the Full List of Resources Are You Struggling to Telecommunicate? Behavioral healthcare providers are a crucial part of people’s overall health and wellbeing. It isn’t always easy for employees to work or provide services from home for extended periods of time. Employees or clients may not have access to phones, internet, or cell service, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the changes telecommunications companies are making during this time. The Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has a reference sheet on telecommunications, including where to get free Wi-Fi for those who need it, up-to-date information about how telecommunications companies have changed their policies, and how people with low incomes can get discounted phones and internet. Download the Reference Sheet DEA Launches Secure Your Meds Campaign The Drug Enforcement Agency recently announced the launch of the Secure Your Meds campaign to address the risk of medicine languishing in home medicine cabinets. Medicines left unsecured at home are high susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse, and the DEA is asking families to secure their medicine to keep it safe, secure, and out of reach of children and others in the household. The DEA has postponed its 2020 Spring Take Back Day due to COVID-19. The federal agency said it will be rescheduled when the health crisis recedes and emergency guidelines are lifted. Download Campaign Materials RALI Ohio Shares Online Tool for Community Education around Teenage Substance Misuse The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative of Ohio, which Prevention Action Alliance is a part of, is offering an online webinar to introduce the RALI Cares Virtual Experience. Last year, RALI partnered with Code 3 to bring its educational program to Ohio. This new tool depicts a teenager's bedroom filled with hidden red flags that may point to substance use. A webinar sharing this tool will be presented on Friday, May 1st from noon to 1 p.m. Speakers will include Joe Abdalla, exeuctive director of the Code 3 Association, Marcie Seidel, executive director at the Prevention Action Alliance, Darryl Brake, executive director of the Summit County Community Partnership, and Cheri Walter, CEO of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities. Register Here Preview the Virtual Tour ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Share this email with your friends! ‌ ‌ ‌ Questions? Comments? Suggestions? 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