National Prevention Week is May 20-26!

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created a new annual health initiative called National Prevention Week. This year’s event will span May 20-26, with the theme: “We are the ones. How are you taking action?”
SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. This national observance celebrates the work that community organizations and individuals do year-round to prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing, while serving as an opportunity for community members to learn more about behavioral health issues and get involved in prevention efforts throughout the year.
The event’s dates were strategically selected to coincide with the beginning of summer, a season filled with celebrations and recreational activities that can potentially be linked to substance use and abuse (such as graduation parties, proms, weddings, boating and camping excursions); it is also timed to allow schools to take part in a prevention-themed event before the school year ends, raising awareness in students of all ages.

More than 50 organizations across the country are planning National Prevention Week events in their communities.
Related resources:

• View the list of NPW events and find one near you.
• Visit SAMHSA’s Facebook page, take the National Prevention Week "Prevention Pledge," and commit to a healthy lifestyle free of substance abuse. Those who take the pledge have the opportunity to then share their promise with friends, family and loved ones to help raise awareness.
• Download the National Prevention Week 2012 Toolkit. It’s designed to assist community organizations in planning local events. The Toolkit contains information on this national observance, including event ideas (including educational, sporting, and policy event ideas), budgeting tips, event promotion tools, templates for traditional and social media promotion, fact sheets on the five themes of National Prevention Week and recommended prevention resources.
   

Brooke Preston is an Acting Digital Account Executive at Prichard Communications, where she creates strategies and content for a number of clients including Reclaiming Futures. Brooke is a seasoned writer, editor and content consultant whose background is centered in journalism, nonprofit communications and brand development counsel. Brooke received a B.S.S. in Music and Media Studies from Ohio University.