News

May

2021

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, Mental Health America and affiliates across the country have observed May as Mental Health Month. A theme is selected each year and 2021’s theme is Tool’s 2 Thrive which will provide practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase their resiliency regardless of their personal situation.

According to Mental Health America, 13.84% of youth aged 12-17 years old report at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the last year and if left untreated, issues like this can persist into adulthood. New York is the second highest state in the country in this category. 9.7% of youth in the US have severe major depression, which is on the rise over last year.

SAMHSA National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day was this week on May 7^th. National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day spotlights the importance of caring for every child’s mental health and to reinforce the message that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development. The purpose of Awareness Day is to increase public awareness about the needs of children with serious mental illness (SMI) and severe emotional disturbance (SED) and their families, provide information on evidence-based practices, and encourage those who need help to seek treatment.

Center for Family Life and Recovery supports individuals struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

May

2021

Local Organization To Focus on Prevention During Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Center for Family Life and Recovery raised awareness of substance abuse and mental health issues thru a series of educational events the week of May 9^th to May 15^th during National Prevention Week.

During National Prevention Week (NPW), the Center for Family Life and Recovery focused on how schools, the community and families can all take an active role in helping to prevent substance abuse while also promoting positive mental health.

“Prevention specialists went into several schools daily to discuss health themes ranging from preventing opioid and prescription drug misuse, to suicide prevention,” said Cassandra Sheets, CEO of CFLR. “We also educated the community on Narcan training, as well as handing out educational flyers and sharing inspirational and motivational success stories through our social media channels.”

NPW is a national initiative, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Center for Family Life and Recovery supports individuals and/or families struggling with addiction, mental health and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Apr

2021

Call to Action!

The Oneida County Prevention Team which is a sub-group of the Oneida County Opioid Task Force in collaboration with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and Center For Family Life and Recovery are working together to “Take Back” unused/or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, including pet medications by offering a drive-through event!!!

Apr

2021

Earth Day Spring Makeover for Utica

Earth Day 2021

On April 22^nd The Center for Family Life and Recovery Inc. celebrated Earth Day by giving back to our community! The day inspires to act towards the protection of the environment and focus on the need for conservation. With the generous support and collaboration with ICAN, Utica Police Department, ACR Health and our Recovery Community warriors we were able to collect 20+ bags of trash!! Thank you for the continued support as we try to maintain a clean and safe city!

Some pics from the day!

Apr

2021

CFLR Announces Take Back Day Drop Off

April 24^th is National Take Back Day.

CFLR will be partnering with Oneida County Opioid Task Force, Oneida County Sheriff Dept. and ACR Health to host a drug take back event at the Oneida County Train Station from 10am - 2pm on April 24^th. This drive-through event is CDC compliant with all COVID regulations. Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and follow signs to drop off their meds and to wear masks at all times. All participants will be given a Hope bag.

With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration announces its 20^th Take Back Day is scheduled for April 24^th. At its last Take Back Day in October, DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to 500 tons of unwanted drugs. Over the 10-year span of Take Back Day, DEA has brought in more than 6,800 tons of prescription drugs. With studies indicating a majority of abused prescription drugs come from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets, clearing out unused medicine is essential.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. has seen an increase in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 83,544 Americans overdosing during the 12-month period ending July 1, 2020, the most ever recorded in a 12-month period. The increase in drug overdose deaths appeared to begin prior to the COVID-19 health emergency but accelerated significantly during the first months of the pandemic.

The public can drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at collection sites which will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.

DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs will not be accepted. DEA will continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.

Helping people dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce addiction and stem overdose deaths.

Learn more about the event at www.deatakeback.com, or by calling 800-882-9539.