*•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•* Domestic Violence Awareness

💎 Facts about Domestic Violence and Physical Abuse: WHAT IS INTIMATE PARTNER PHYSICAL ABUSE?                                                                                                                     Physical abuse includes the physical assault, battery, and sexual assault used as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. Physical abuse can cause severe injury and even death. It often co-occurs with other forms of abuse, including psychological abuse, economic abuse, and stalking.             1in 3 women and 1 in 4 men is a victim of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetimes. 76% of intimate partner physical violence victims are female; 24% are male.                                                                                                                          1in 7 women and 1 in 18 men are severely injured by intimate partners in their lifetimes. Domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime in the United States.  Domestic violence is most common among women aged 18-24 and 25-34.  A majority of physical abuse is committed by dating partners rather than spouses.  More than 75% of women aged 18-49 who are abused were previously abused by the same perpetrator.  Intimate partner physical abuse has declined 67% since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. Slightly more than half of intimate partner physical violence is reported to law enforcement.                                                                                                                             INTIMATE PARTNER HOMICIDE:                                                                                                 n 2007, 1,640 women were murdered by intimate partners; in 2012, 924 women were killed by intimate partners • 40% of female murder victims are killed by intimate partners. • Almost half of intimate partner homicides are committed by dating partners • 76% of women who are killed by intimate partners and 85% of women who survive homicide attempts are stalked prior to the murder or attempted murder.                                                                    

💎 WHY DOES IT MATTER?                                                                                                       Intimate partner physical abuse is not bound by age, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or nationality; it exists in all communities. Contrary to popular belief, physical abuse is not simply a maladjusted person’s occasional expression of frustration or anger, nor is it typically an isolated incident. Physical abuse is a tool of control and oppression and is a choice made by one person in a relationship to control another.                                                                                                                          

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WHAT ??????????????????????  

Circle of 6 is for everyone.

It’s fast, easy-to-use and private. Originally designed for college students to prevent sexual violence, we also know it’s handy for teenagers, parents, friends, or all communities seeking to foster healthy relationships and safety.

Need help getting home? Need an interruption? Two taps lets your circle know where you are and how they can help. Circle of 6 app for iPhone and Android makes it quick and easy to reach the 6 people you choose.

It’s the mobile way to look out for each other on campus or when you’re out for the night. A simple tool to prevent violence before it happens.

  💎 HOW IT WORKS:

“+” ICONS CHOOSE YOUR CIRCLE >

Add up to 6 people from your contacts to join your circle. Choose good friends or any trusted adult.

PIN ICON COME GET ME >

Sends a text to your Circle that says:
“Come and get me. I need help getting home safely.”with your GPS coordinates.

PHONE ICON CALL ME >

Sends a text to your Circle that says:
“Call and pretend you need me. I need an interruption.”

CHAT ICON I NEED TO TALK >

Sends a text to your Circle that says: “I need to talk.”

INFORMATION HELPFUL LINKS >

Direct access to information about sexuality, relationships and safety.

PHONE OUT HOTLINES >

Direct access to national hotlines and a specialized hotline of your choice, such as LGBTQ, Spanish-language, etc. based on your personal priorities.

 Circle of 6 to feel like a lifestyle app and to be discreet. because a third party won't assume it's a safety app, the user has more privacy to ask for help.                                                                                                                                          

Facts about Domestic Violence Around the World

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• Worldwide, 40-70% of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner.

In no country in the world are women safe from this type  of  violence.                           Fight Domestic Violence - We Can End Domestic Abuse Together                                 

How to Stop Domestic Violence

We can all take steps to stop domestic violence. If you or a loved one is trying to leave an abusive relationship, it's important to remember the person who is hurting you or your loved one is the person who needs to change. However, your abuser may be unable or unwilling change.

The only way to permanently stop domestic violence is for everyone to no longer try to control and abuse those they love. This goal will take educating our kids to respect their romantic partners by demonstrating respectful, healthy relationships with our spouses and partners.

http://family.findlaw.com/domestic-violence/stop-domestic-violence.html                                                                                                                                        

*•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•* National Red Ribbon Week- Drug Free America

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ABOUT THE RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN

The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign®. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America.
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In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Week® celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families.

For more information, please visit RedRibbon.org

💎 SIGNS OF DRUG USE: Teens are known to have mood swings. However, some behavior may indicate more serious issues, such as abuse of drugs and alcohol. Here are some of the warning signs of drug use.                                                           

💎 WHY DO TEENS USE DRUGS?: The teen years are often a time to explore and learn more about themselves as they approach adulthood. Often, this involves experimenting and testing their boundaries. The desire to do something new or risky is a normal part of teen development.                                                                          

💎 WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT MARIJUANA CONCENTRATES/ HONEY BUTANE OIL: A marijuana concentrate is a powerful substance that may look like honey or butter. It is made by extracting THC from marijuana.                                                    

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Since then, the Red Ribbon campaign has taken on national significance.  Wearing red ribbons during the month of October continues to represent our pledge to live drug free and honors the sacrifice of all who have lost their lives in the fight against drugs.

Celebrate Red Ribbon Week in your community or your child’s school, and raise awareness of living a drug free life. Take the opportunity to talk to your kids about drugs.

https://www.dea.gov/redribbon/Toolkit_Page/Red-Ribbon-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Healthy Lung Month

Did you know that October was healthy lung month? No? Well neither did I until recently. We take for granted the air we breath and believe if we don't smoke that we are safe. Not so. There are more factors to be aware of when keeping healthy lungs.

October is National healthy lung month, a month that for many people causes multiple problems pertaining to their lungs. Problems that stem from the pollens and mold that are so prevalent this time of the year. There are several pollens that occur in the fall such as ragweed, nettle, mug wort, fat hen and sorrel, which many people are allergic to.
These pollens may produce unpleasant symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling, nasal congestion, runny nose, sleep disruption, red and/or puffy/itchy and/or dry or watery eyes, itchy throat, cough, sore throat and even hives. Persons that are severely allergic to pollens may experience chronic sinus problems (sinusitis) and even asthma attacks.

Mold is another problematic allergen in the fall due to colder temperatures and wetter conditions. To help lower your risk of suffering mold allergies you can use a room de-humidifier inside the house. If you must go outside or perform yard work you can wear a face mask and if you see visible mold clean it with a diluted bleach solution to kill the mold. Any allergies whether mold or pollen can be relieved by using an antihistamine such as Benadryl.

Now, some problems people have with their lungs aren’t caused by allergies, they are caused by the person themselves by partaking of a bad habit known as smoking. Smoking leads to many problems with the lungs and air passageways as well as other parts of the body.

Severe medical issues such as bronchitis, emphysema, cardiopulmonary disease, high blood pressure (which can lead to heart attack and stroke), vasoconstriction (constricted/narrowed blood vessels) which also may lead to heart attack and stroke, DVT (deep vein thrombosis (blood clot ), pulmonary embolism, as well as being carcinogenic which can cause cancer in the lungs, mouth and throat.

Sure, you have two lungs and you can live with one, but why would you want to do that? Right? Keeping fit and healthy promotes a longer, happier life and maintaining lung health is primary to maintaining your overall health. Your body needs oxygen to function and oxygen is obtained through gas exchange that takes place in the lungs.

Inhale air, your body uses the oxygen and you exhale carbon dioxide (which is what plants need and they in turn produce oxygen),

Exercise can also help in maintaining healthy lungs. Exercise as simple as a brisk walk to get your heart pumping and lungs working is all it takes.

If you are in a more advanced state of physical conditioning then riding bicycles or jogging will really get your blood pump going and get the lungs inhaling and exhaling and thereby help to sustain lung capacity or even increase your lung capacity.

And thats what it’s really about, lung capacity. The greater the lung capacity the easier it is to provide your body and its organs with the vital oxygen it needs to live a happier, healthier life.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Every October, schools and organizations across the country join STOMP O
out Bullying™ in observing National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal: encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of all ages.

Make friends with someone you don’t know at school 

If you've ever been isolated from others at school or you were new at school and it took time to make friends, you know what it feels like to be left out. Or even if you were never isolated, imagine how it would feel.

Make friends with someone at school who you don't know. Invite them to sit at your lunch table or join you in an after school activity. You probably wish someone had done that for you.

Be a leader. Take action and don't let anyone at school be in isolation.

Challenge Others To Be Kind

Make kindness go viral with an act of kindness and challenge friends and classmates to pay it forward with their acts of kindness.

The Week of October 17^th

STAND UP for Others Week

When you see someone being bullied, be brave and STAND UP for them. Bullies have been known to back off when others stand up for victims.

If you don't feel safe get the help of an adult immediately. Be part of the solution -- not the problem!

It's a time to see everyone's differences and celebrate their similarities: Whether students are LGBT,  African American, Asian, Muslim, AAPI,of Tribal descent or disabled ...make friends. The more awareness that is created during the month of October -- and all year round, you are one step closer to putting an end to bullying!

Cyberbullying happens when kids bully each other through electronic technology. Find out why cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying, what you can do to prevent it, and how you can report it when it happens. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. Parents and kids can prevent cyberbullying. Together, they can explore safe ways to use technology. When cyberbullying happens, it is important to document and report the behavior so it can be addressed.

What is Bullying

Aggressive behavior may be bullying depending on what happened, how often it happens and who it happens to. Find out what bullying is and what the different types are. You can also learn more about other topics related to bullying.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.There are many roles that kids can play. Kids can bully others, they can be bullied, or they may witness bullying. When kids are involved in bullying, they often play more than one role. It is important to understand the multiple roles kids play in order to effectively prevent and respond to bullying.There are many other types of aggressive behavior that don’t fit the definition of bullying. This does not mean that they are any less serious or require less attention than bullying. Rather, these behaviors require different prevention and response strategies. https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html

Every Second Wednesday In The Month Of October Is National Stop Bullying Day- It's Time To Break The Silence

Almost everybody has to deal with bullies in their lifetime, and it's likely possible that you've at least known a bully, whether you were an adolescent or later on in life. Nobody's perfect, but as these 13anti-bullying quotes for National Stop Bullying Day attest to, nobody should be picked on, ever. So what's the best way to end bullying on a national scale? Start small, because if you can't fix what's going on around you, how are you supposed to solve a nation's crisis?

Bullying can occur no matter your age or situation, and it often becomes disguised the older we get. First things first, take note of your own actions. Is there anyone at work you talk down to? Do you have any friends who you tend to peer pressure into doing things that they don't want to do? Bullying comes in many shapes and sizes — not just in the form of a kindergartener pushing over a preschooler on the playground — so make sure that you're not a part of the problem.

Once you've assessed your own situation, decide if there is any bullying going on around you, be it in your neighborhood, at your school, or in your work place. If so, figure out how you can help. Every situation is different, but you'd be surprised how much an honest talk with a bully or a comforting word to a bullying victim can do to change the cycle.     

1. "Children should be able to live a life free from bullying and harassment and it is time that we all took a stand against this." — Katherine Jenkins

2. "I realized that bullying never has to do with you. It's the bully who's insecure." — Shay Mitchell

3. "Most comedy is based on getting a laugh at somebody else's expense. And I find that that's just a form of bullying in a major way. So I want to be an example that you can be funny and be kind, and make people laugh without hurting somebody else's feelings." — Ellen DeGeneres

4. "The whole bullying issue has really struck a nerve with me. It affects so many different types of people at a vital time in their lives." — Kenny Wormald

5. "Bullying is never fun, it's a cruel and terrible thing to do to someone. If you are being bullied, it is not your fault. No one deserves to be bullied, ever." — Raini Rodriguez

6. "Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke." — Benjamin Disraeli

7. "I've been actually really very pleased to see how much awareness was raised around bullying, and how deeply it affects everyone. You know, you don't have to be the loser kid in high school to be bullied. Bullying and being picked on comes in so many different forms." — Lady Gaga

8. "Fighting means you could lose. Bullying means you can't. A bully wants to beat somebody; he doesn't want to fight somebody." — Andrew Vachss

9. "We focus so much on our differences, and that is creating, I think, a lot of chaos and negativity and bullying in the world. And I think if everybody focused on what we all have in common — which is — we all want to be happy." — Ellen DeGeneres

10. "Bullying is killing our kids. Being different is killing our kids and the kids who are bullying are dying inside. We have to save our kids whether they are bullied or they are bullying. They are all in pain." — Cat Cora

11. "I was of the type who gets bullied rather than the one who does the bullying, which I'm glad about. I'd rather be that than a bully." — Lily Cole

12. "For too long, our society has shrugged off bullying by labeling it a 'rite of passage' and by asking students to simply 'get over it.' Those attitudes need to change. Every day, students are bullied into silence and are afraid to speak up. Let's break this silence and end school bullying." — Linda Sanchez

13. "Simple peck-order bullying is only the beginning of the kind of hierarchical behavior that can lead to racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, classism, and all the other 'isms' that cause so much suffering in the world." — Octavia E. Butler https://www.bustle.com/articles/189121-13-anti-bullying-quotes-for-national-stop-bullying-day-2016-because-its-time-to-break-the-silence

Someone you know could be bullied or cyberbullied.
Someone you know might be a bully or a cyberbully.

 

Blue Shirt Day® World Dayof Bullying Prevention™

 

 

World Mental Health Day

As a social worker I work with individuals with Mental Illnesses. When I see someone mentally unstable whether it be from developmental delays, handicaps, depression, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual abuse, various anxieties or Ptsd (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), as a worker I do my best to help these individuals. All illnesses are not obvious some are deeply rooted. Some people are in denial. Some require a number of services and medications. I love the work I do and I wish I could heal everyone I encounter. We all need to ensure that we have a healthy Mental state of mind. This is why it is very important to incorporate "self care" into our daily living and take care of you. De-stressing and proper medical care is always important! Most jobs have Mental Health days, so make use of them! 

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

World Mental Health Day is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide. In some countries this day is part of an awareness week, such as Mental Health Week in Australia.

Make a Mental Health Promise today…

Close your eyes… Take a breath. It’s time to look after your own mental health and well-being.

Make a promise to yourself ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10 and post your promise on the promise wall, or your own social media feed.

The promise is yours, and yours alone, and can be anything you think will help to look after your own mental health and well-being.

Because after all, Mental Health begins with Me!

World Mental Health Day 2016

Psychological first aid

When terrible things happen in our communities, we can reach out a helping hand to those who are affected. Perhaps you find yourself at the scene of an accident where people are hurt. Perhaps you are a health-care worker or teacher talking with someone from your community who has just witnessed the violent death of a loved one. Perhaps you are called upon as a staff member in a disaster or volunteer to help asylum seekers who have recently arrived in your community. Learning the basic principles of psychological first aid will help you to provide support to people who are very distressed, and, importantly, to know what not to say.

he theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, covers “psychological first aid”. Efforts in support of the day will focus on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a helping role whether they be health staff, teachers, firemen, community workers, or police officers.

Despite its name, psychological first aid covers both psychological and social support. Just like general health care never consists of physical first aid alone, similarly no mental health care system should consist of psychological first aid alone. Indeed, the investment in psychological first aid is part of a longer-term effort to ensure that anyone in acute distress due to a crisis is able to receive basic support, and that those who need more than psychological first aid will receive additional advanced support from health, mental health and social services.