The holidays are fast approaching and many memories come flooding back. We remember those loved ones who are no longer with us. Personally, In the past seven years, I have lost my daughter, Jennifer in 2009 and my grandson, Trey (Jennifer's only son) has been absent from our family since November- 2008. My daughter and my grandson are loved and dearly missed by me and our entire family. To lose a child to an accidental overdose is very tragic. To also be alienated from your grandson is a double tragedy. When your child dies and is a single parent, the other parent may choose to remove the child from their natural maternal grandparents after the death of other parent. By making this choice, the parent is also alienating the child from two loving Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and maternal Great- Grandparents. This is a very selfish choice for the child. To deny a child the love from extended family members is not considering the child's feelings and frankly is, cruel. You cannot replace childhood memories nor can your deny them a loving family without that affecting the child in the future. It's heartbreaking and confusing when a child's parent dies. It's doubly tragic when they also lose all of their family members at the same time. To my dear grandson, Trey Andrew Reynolds, (Yusuf Trey Ahmed), I want you to know you are always in my heart, always in my thoughts, and I am looking forward to the day you can re-connect with me and all of us again. I … [Read more...]
Mental and Substance Use Disorders
Mental and Substance Use Disorders Mental and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. These illnesses are common, recurrent, and often serious, but they are treatable and many people do recover. Learning about some of the most common mental and substance use disorders can help people recognize their signs and to seek help. According to SAMHSA’s 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (PDF | 3.4 MB) an estimated 43.6 million (18.1%) Americans ages 18 and up experienced some form of mental illness. In the past year, 20.2 million adults (8.4%) had a substance use disorder. Of these, 7.9 million people had both a mental disorder and substance use disorder, also known as co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Various mental and substance use disorders have prevalence rates that differ by gender, age, race, and ethnicity. To read more about this, visit the Specific Populations and Health Disparities topics, and to find SAMHSA data that can be sorted on various factors, visit the NSDUH page. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders on America’s communities. SAMHSA works to prevent and treat mental and substance use disorders and provide supports for people seeking or already in recovery. Mental Disorders Mental disorders involve changes in thinking, mood, and/or behavior. These disorders can affect how we relate to others and make choices. Mental disorders … [Read more...]
MHA Statement By CEO, President- Paul Gionfriddo, Regarding the Election of Donald Trump
MHA Statement on the Election of Donald Trump, Future Agenda for Mental Health Statement by Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO, Mental Health America “Last night, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. New members of the Senate and House were chosen to join him and their colleagues in Washington. And many dedicated individuals were elected to state offices throughout the nation. "Mental Health America congratulates them all on their victories, and more importantly on their willingness to take on the difficult challenges that confront so many of our citizens. "Among the most compelling of those challenges are mental health concerns. These affect tens of millions at any given time. Half of us will be diagnosed with a mental illness during our lifetime. Mental illnesses are as costly as cancers, and serious mental illnesses reduce life expectancy by more than twenty-five years. 57 percent of adults with mental illnesses say that they do not have access to mental health care. Mental illnesses are diseases of childhood, with half emerging by the age of fourteen. But only one child in every twenty-eight with a mental health condition receives compensatory education services to help them succeed in school despite that condition. "Our policymakers must change these realities; there is no more time to waste. The impact of limited care and services is too severe – too much money is thrown away on our jails and prisons; too many lives … [Read more...]
The Jennifer Act- Red Ribbon Week Campaign- October 2016
This is my third year to partner The Jennifer Act & The Red Ribbon Week Campaign. It is my greatest passion and (an important mission) to bring substance awareness to our youth. I share Jennifer's story, educational materials, treatment resources and take home items with students in grades 5th-12th. My mission is to equip our youth with knowledge and information on all substances, including illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use. The focus and message I bring is to educate our youth, and empower them with knowledge. Knowledge is power in making educated decisions about putting harmful substances in their bodies. This year's theme is Y.O.L.O (You Only Live Once)- A big "thank you" to all the students, school faculty, Indiana Sheriff's Department, Police Department, Purdue Extension and Safe Place. Together, we are working on solutions and preventing substance abuse. Sharon Blair … [Read more...]
Red Ribbon Week- Y.O.L.O.- You Only Live Once
National Red Ribbon Week is kicking off it's Drug Free Campaign- Oct.21-31st. The Jennifer Act is a proud sponsor of this campaign to remind kids and teens to make healthy choices for their bodies and stay drug-alcohol-tobacco free. I will be speaking in Elementary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools during Red Ribbon Week and asking communities to also get involved and show their support for a Drug Free Community. Business Owners can display a red ribbon in their business, employees can wear red ribbons to show support, digital signs can can display a red ribbon and declare Oct.21-31st they are supporting Red Ribbon Week. Let's all do our part to keep our youth healthy and substance free.- Sharon Blair … [Read more...]
A Labor of Love ~ The Jennifer Act Mission
October 3, 2016 I have been a public health advocate for substance prevention, education & legislation for close to eight years. I started The Jennifer Act mission in memory of my daughter, Jennifer Reynolds in January 2009 (the year she died). My mission was addressing & improving Civil/Involuntary Commitment procedures to aid those who are in a life and death crisis of substance addiction. I also saw a need for addressing more substance prevention & education. I have stayed focused on these three angles. By focusing my attention on The Jennifer Act mission statement, it has also opened many other avenues for me to participate. The Jennifer Act has given me the opportunity to meet (and work with) many wonderful people. I have been honored to work with Pastors, Teachers, Lawmakers, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, The Governor's Task Force Members, Indiana Attorney General Zoeller's RX Task Force Members, Lobby for CARA, Addiction Policy Forum, many Coalition Groups, Not For Profits and National Red Ribbon Week. I have met countless family members whose loved ones are suffering from addiction and grieving families suffering the loss of a loved one who has died from overdose. I am a Christian. I prayed many, many prayers for healing for my daughter, Jennifer. I advocated for her life (for over a decade) and for her treatment, using every law available for intervention and treatment services. I know that God is our Creator and He is in charge of … [Read more...]
The Jennifer Act Supports National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week-September 19-23, 2016
National Heroin and Opioid Awareness Week is September 19-23, 2016 National Opioid and Heroin Awareness Week, recognized September 19-23, is sponsored by the Department of Justice to bring awareness to the cycle of opioid misuse and heroin abuse in communities all around the country. Every day, 129 people die of a drug overdose and 61 percent of those deaths are related to pharmaceutical opioids or heroin. To respond to this problem, the Department of Justice has a three-pronged approach to: 1) raise awareness about the opioid and heroin epidemic; 2) highlight enforcement successes that target the drug trafficking organizations and gangs fueling violence in our communities; and 3) provide resources for treatment. During this week, let’s learn about the problem, talk about it with our family members and friends, and work together to save our communities from the devastating effects of opioid misuse and heroin abuse. … [Read more...]
Don’t Stay Silent! People Are Dying…….
Addressing the heroin/opioid (RX) prescription epidemic is going to take all of us stepping out of our comfort zone, contacting our lawmakers, asking for their help to structure legislation to intervene in a crisis, not remaining silent, join support avenues in our communities, be public, support drug free initiatives such as Red Ribbon Week, Coalition groups, candle vigils for lives lost, support groups such as PALS for parents whose child is suffering wit a SUD and mental health issues and NOT shame or stigmatize a family who has this going on with a loved one. They are living in constant fear of death of a loved one. Be part of the solution! -Sharon Blair www.thejenniferact.com … [Read more...]
Making Our Days Count
In today's ever changing, fast paced and very busy world, we can get so caught up in "our world" we can lose sight of others around us. As a wife and mother of four small children, I was moving all the time, taking my children to school, church, to practices and watching them in all of their activities. I always tried to remember their friends who maybe didn't have both parents in their life, or who didn't get the opportunity to attend church regularly. I was mindful to invite them along whenever possible. My three (living) children are grown now with children of their own and I am glad that I have the mindset to be a blessing to others. I want to challenge readers today to look around for someone you could encourage or do a kind act. It doesn't take much effort to find someone at work, school, church or a neighbor who could use a ray of sunshine now and then. Watching my daughter, Jennifer struggle with an addiction to prescription medication for over a decade, fight to overcome it for her son and then die from this addiction, taught me more about life than anything I ever learned from a book. One thing I learned is this trip through life is a short one and we only get a one way ticket. I purposely strive to make my days count for something good. I look for ways to be a blessing to my family and be of service to my community. I am public about the journey through Jennifer's addiction and her premature and untimely death. I share this for several reasons. … [Read more...]
Bloomington, IN Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil- 100 W. Kirkwood Ave. 6-8pm
Overdose Awareness Candlelight Vigil- August 31, 2016 Join us 6-8pm. Monroe County Courthouse -100 W. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN. Join us as we remember those we have lost, discuss keeping those still at risk safe, and come together publicly to end the stigma. You are not alone. Please bring a picture of your loved one and a candle. A board will be available to post messages and pictures. There will be an opportunity for everyone to speak, as well as a few designated speakers. Free naloxone and overdose training will be available. We hope to see you there. … [Read more...]
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