IDHW’s Mary Sheridan honored for empowering community-based rural health solutions for Idaho

On By idhwmediaIn Rural HealthLeave a comment

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Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care Director Mary Sheridan received the National Rural Health Association’s 2017 President’s Award May 9 during  the NRHA’s 40th annual Rural Health Conference in San Diego, where more than 800 rural health stakeholders from around the country gathered for the event.

According to the NRHA, “Sheridan exemplifies the dedication, resilience, and creativity of NRHA members, and works seamlessly with the teams she serves on to empower rural communities. She has shined in leadership and cooperative roles with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, and the National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network. She always knows how to make the most of limited resources and boundless energy, and her encouragement and teamwork have had national and international impact.”  Continue reading “IDHW’s Mary Sheridan honored for empowering community-based rural health solutions for Idaho” →

Wet spring may mean higher mosquito-borne virus risk – Fight the bite!

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

WNVLogo2007It seems like it’s just starting to warm up and feel like spring, so is it mosquito season already?

Mosquito abatement districts are surveying and treating for mosquitoes earlier than usual this year because spring has been so wet and there has been widespread flooding across Idaho. Now is a good time to go over the precautions you should take to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

Other than an itchy bite mark, what’s the risk of getting bit by a mosquito?

Zika virus has been in the news a lot, but in Idaho and the rest of the United States, we worry the most about mosquitoes transmitting West Nile virus. This early in the season, we’ve had no reports of West Nile in mosquitoes, humans or horses. Last season in Idaho, West Nile virus was detected in nine symptomatic people, 10 horses, and a multitude of mosquitoes located across fifteen different counties. Fortunately, there were no deaths. Continue reading “Wet spring may mean higher mosquito-borne virus risk – Fight the bite!” →

Mental illness is normal in our society, and it’s also normal to have a life of recovery

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

Today (May 11, 2017) the Idaho Division of Behavioral Health hosted an event recognizing Mental Health Awareness month and several Idahoans who are working to support recovery and end the stigma about mental illness. So, let’s talk about the reality of mental health. 

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Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little presented the 2017 Mental Health Awareness month proclamation at a public event in the Idaho Statehouse May 11, 2017.

Millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition, which is challenging enough. Add to that the stigma associated with mental illness, and it can cause people to avoid help and treatment. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to talk about it and help put an end to the stigma about mental health issues.

How many people really are dealing with a mental illness?

Generally, 1 in 5 adults and children have a diagnosable mental illness. That makes mental illness more common than cancer, diabetes, or even heart disease, and yet we hear much more about those diseases than we do about mental health. That’s why this month is so important. About half of the adults in the U.S. will develop a mental illness at some point in their lives. Mental illness is normal in our society. It’s also normal to live a life of recovery. Continue reading “Mental illness is normal in our society, and it’s also normal to have a life of recovery” →

Voice of Idaho award winner Lisa Koller: “Today my life is to help people overcome the stigma”

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral Health1 Comment

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May is national Mental Health Awareness month, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is joining with Idaho Regional Behavioral Health Boards around the state to commend individuals who have worked hard to reduce the stigma around mental health and volunteered in their communities to inspire hope, recovery and resiliency.

The winner of IDHW’s first-annual Voice of Idaho award, Lisa Koller, is one of those individuals. Part of her journey to recovery and dedicating her life to helping others with mental illness was inspired by receiving help from an Idaho peer support specialist after she graduated from Mental Health Court in 2007. Lisa now works as a peer support specialist and recovery coach at The Center for HOPE recovery center in Idaho Falls.

Read more below about Idaho’s program of certified peer support specialists from Idaho Division of Behaviorial Health Administrator Ross Edmunds, and Lisa Koller’s personal story of her struggles with substance use disorder and mental illness as recounted in her own words:   Continue reading “Voice of Idaho award winner Lisa Koller: “Today my life is to help people overcome the stigma”” →

Join us May 11 to raise awareness and erase mental health stigma

On By idhwmediaIn Behavioral HealthLeave a comment

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When it comes to mental health, many people confuse feeling bad with being bad. Mental illness is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing.

Many factors out of one’s control influence whether someone develops a mental health condition: genetics, environment and lifestyle. Being a victim of a crime or having a stressful work or home life can make some people more susceptible.

Yet even though most people with mental illness can be successfully treated and live productive lives, less than half of the adults in the U.S. who need services or treatment get the help that can make a difference.

One reason: Stigma. The isolation, blame, fear and secrecy that is often associated with mental illness can discourage people from reaching out, getting the needed support and getting healthy. Continue reading “Join us May 11 to raise awareness and erase mental health stigma” →

Know the ABC’s of viral hepatitis

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

hepatitis awarenessViral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and it’s estimated that 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis, and most don’t know they’re infected. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to learn more about this infectious disease, your risks of getting infected and to find out your status by getting tested.

What are the different types of hepatitis?

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and there are three common types of hepatitis in the United States: Hepatitis A, B, and C. Continue reading “Know the ABC’s of viral hepatitis” →

Are your children current on their immunizations?

On By idhwmediaIn Public HealthLeave a comment

This week is National Infant Immunization Week and it’s also World Immunization Week, so it’s a good time to talk about the importance of protecting infants in Idaho and around the world from vaccine-preventable diseases.

This week, the focus is on infants. Why infants specifically instead of all children?

While it’s important that all children have received the recommended vaccinations, giving babies the recommended immunizations by the time they are 2 is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases, including whooping cough and measles. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor to make sure their babies’ immunizations are up-to-date.

Some parents may not trust that vaccines are safe, so they may not immunize their children. What would you say to those parents?  

We know that parents want to do what’s best for their children, and if they have concerns about the safety or necessity of a particular vaccine, they should talk to their children’s doctors about that. Generally, vaccines are very safe, and they are monitored continuously to make sure they stay that way.  Continue reading “Are your children current on their immunizations?” →

Free workshops offer step-by-step instructions on how to keep radon out of your home

On By idhwmediaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Banner_RadonClass_2017 (002)Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, so it’s impossible to know without testing if the gas is in your home. Every county in Idaho contains homes that have high levels of radon, so it’s important to know how to keep it out of your home.

During May, homeowners, contractors, and remodelers can learn how to keep the cancer-causing gas out of homes in free workshops at various locations around the state.

The two-hour interactive workshop will explain what radon is, how it enters homes, and what can be done to help prevent excessive amounts of the gas from getting into homes. Exposure to radon gas can increase your risk for lung cancer, particularly if you smoke. Continue reading “Free workshops offer step-by-step instructions on how to keep radon out of your home” →

You can help celebrate The Week of the Young Child this week

On By idhwmediaIn Family and Community ServicesLeave a comment

Come one, come all, it’s a community celebration!  Idaho, along with all other states, is celebrating our youngest citizens this week… our CHILDREN!

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) during the last full week in April. Throughout the week, Idahoans will be celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and families.

weekofyoungchild.jpgThe National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.  Members work to achieve a collective vision: that all young children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential. Locally, the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children leads the celebration efforts with community events across the state.  Statewide, each early childhood education program celebrates uniquely.  For families and community members, this is a great time to show appreciation to the special professionals that serve young children.  Continue reading “You can help celebrate The Week of the Young Child this week” →

Best way to stay safe around canals? Stay away

On By idhwmediaIn Public Health1 Comment

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Across the state, Idaho is experiencing record spring run-off from a historic winter season snowpack, causing rivers and streams to run fast and full. To help water managers reduce the risk of flooding, many irrigation canals have opened early. So, it’s a good time to talk about canal safety and drowning prevention.

What’s the best way to stay safe around irrigation canals?

That’s simple: Stay away. Never, ever swim or play in a canal. And that message is not just for children, it’s for adults too. Both children and adults drown each year in Idaho canals, and records from the Idaho Care Line show that more children drown in canals than any other body of water in Idaho annually. In fact, Idaho has the nation’s second highest unintentional drowning rate for children aged 1-to-5. Continue reading “Best way to stay safe around canals? Stay away” →