This week is National Prevention Week! Miracles in Action is supporting SAMHSA in bringing awareness to and promoting the prevention of substance use disorders nationwide. National Prevention Week also aims to promote positive mental health and prevent suicide.
It’s no secret that this has been one of the most difficult years in the battle against substance use disorders. As the nation continues to recover from a worldwide pandemic, we’re also working to overcome some of the highest rates of substance use disorders that we’ve seen in decades.
We’re asking you to join the effort with us and help us promote awareness of National Prevention Week this year. Read on to learn more.
What is National Prevention Week?
National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, mental health and/or substance use disorders. Held in May of every year, schools, organizations, and communities come together across the country to raise awareness of the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health.
During National Prevention Week, SAMHSA also recognizes the organizations that promote prevention year-round through providing ideas, capacity building, tools, and resources to help individuals and communities make substance use prevention happen every day.
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 the 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.
- What Topics Does National Prevention Week Address?
Each year, National Prevention Week includes daily themes to focus on major substance use and mental health topics. The 2021 daily themes are
- Preventing Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse
- Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse
- Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use
- Preventing Youth Tobacco Use (E-Cigarettes and Vaping)
- Preventing Suicide
- The 2021 National Prevention Week Challenge
NPW is challenging individuals, organizations, and communities to show us where substance misuse prevention happens in homes, workplaces, schools, and other settings in communities around the country. Substance misuse prevention begins with each of us, and we know prevention actions can happen everywhere within our communities.
The challenge is to identify youth leaders in school and youth programs and encourage them to create and post videos to their social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) about their prevention efforts. Be sure they tag @SAMHSAgov and use the hashtag #YouthLeadingPrevention.
SAMHSA will highlight #YouthLeadingPrevention throughout National Prevention Week, including compiling and sharing some of the best videos submitted with the #YouthLeadingPrevention hashtag. To be considered for inclusion in the NPW 10th anniversary video, entries must be posted no later than April 22nd.
Learn more about how to participate in the NPW 2021 Prevention Challenge here: www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/prevention-challenge.
More Information: https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/about
