November is Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month, observed every November in the United States, celebrates the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed each year from September 15 to October 15. This year’s theme, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” encourages us to ensure that all voices are represented and welcomed to help build stronger communities and a stronger nation. During Hispanic Heritage Month, OMH will partner with other federal offices and stakeholders to disseminate and amplify bilingual educational messages about disease prevention and health promotion.
Learn more:
minorityhealth.hhs.gov/hispanic-heritage-month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
Learn more:
988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month
September is National Recovery Month
Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery from substance use and mental health, just as we celebrate improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Each September, Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.
Learn more:
rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Preventing Suicide: Connections & Community
Suicide touches us all. Find connections and support through personal stories, creative expression, wellness activities and local resources.
Join us in-person or virtually for the Preventing Suicide: Connections & Community Forum.
Free events on September 21 and 29.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 – New and Easy to Remember
A new, easy way to access support in a time of crisis is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 now. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Share this number to help link anyone in distress or crisis with a trained counselor who will listen compassionately and provide caring support and crisis resources.
RESOURCES
- Emergency: Call 911 and ask for a CIT Officer
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, text, or TTY 988
Web Chat: www.988lifeline.org
- Veteran’s Crisis Line: 988 then dial 1
- Ventura County Crisis & Referral Line:
1-866-998-2243
- Substance Use Treatment Access Line:
1-844-385-9200
24/7 • www.VCBH.org - The Trevor Project Lifeline (LGBTQ+ focus):
1-866-488-7386
24/7 • www.thetrevorproject.org
Additional Resources:
- Preventing Suicide
- Suicide Warning Signs
- What You Can Do
- Support After a Loss
- Youth & Suicide
- Older Adults & Suicide
Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18!
The Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the Juneteenth Committee of Ventura County (JCVC), is taking place on Saturday, June 18 at Plaza Park in Oxnard. This holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation.
Learn more:
www.juneteenthoxnard.org
Empower Up! Mental Wellness Event for Teens & Young Adults
Join us for arts and stories in the courtyard – performance, inspiration and community connections.
In person or livestream!
Saturday, June 4th, 2022
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Register now at www.vcbh.org/empower
NAMIWalks Your Way Ventura County - May 21
Join Our Team!
By joining or donating to our VCBH All Stars Team you are contributing to increasing awareness of and raising funds for mental health. United we are stronger and together we can help to build and serve a stronger community.
Please see the link to support our VCBH team.
NAMIWalks Your Way Ventura County
Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Needs Assessment RFP
Behavioral Health Continuum of Care Needs Assessment RFP
Date Issued: April 29, 2022
Date Due: June 1, 2022
Notice is hereby given that Ventura County Behavioral Health has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on April 29, 2022 for qualified applicants to solicit proposals to provide a Needs Assessment for the County of Ventura Behavioral Health Continuum of Care.
The RFP, with full instructions, is available through the Ventura County Bonfire system at: County of Ventura - HCA Needs Assessment RFP (bonfirehub.com)
RFP responses are due by Wednesday, June 1, 2022 no later than 5:00 p.m. Completed proposals should be submitted through the Bonfire system.
All information related to this RFP may be directed to the assigned VCBH Contracts Administrator, Curtis Heath, through the Message section of the Bonfire system at: County of Ventura - HCA Needs Assessment RFP (bonfirehub.com)
Substance Use Services Recovery Residences RFP
Substance Use Services Recovery Residences RFP
Date Issued: April 1, 2022
Date Due: May 13, 2022
Notice is hereby given that Ventura County Behavioral Health has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on April 1, 2022 for qualified applicants to solicit proposals to provide Recovery Residence services to adult clients (ages 18+) of the VCBH Substance Use Services Division (SUS), who have been referred through the County, whose recovery efforts would benefit from the support of participating in Recovery Residence services and are engaged in concurrent medically necessary Outpatient Treatment Services, Intensive Outpatient Treatment Services, Recovery Services and/or are receiving Medication for Addiction Treatment services.
The RFP, with full instructions, is available through the Ventura County Bonfire system at: https://ventura.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/61846
RFP responses are due by Friday, May 13, 2022 no later than 5:00 p.m. Completed proposals should be submitted through the Bonfire system.
All information related to this RFP may be directed to the assigned VCBH Contracts Administrator, Barbara Kramer, through the Message section of the Bonfire system at: https://ventura.bonfirehub.com/opportunities/61846
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - April 30
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - April 30, 2022 – 10AM to 2PM
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.
In Ventura County, more than 200 people die each year from opioid overdoses. Prescription painkiller abuse, rising heroin use, fentanyl and accidental opioid overdoses are part of a nationwide crisis.
Ventura County is actively engaged and committed to preventing prescription drug misuse and abuse. One of the ways the County works to address the issue locally is by reducing access, especially to teens. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office (VCSO), in collaboration with Ventura County Behavioral Health (VCBH), established a countywide Rx disposal program that allows residents to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired Rx medication via secure, confidential disposal bins. Learn the signs of overdose and how to take action. Find Disposal Bin locations near you.
Learn more:
Ventura County Responds – Safe Medication Disposal
DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
March is Women's History Month
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987.
The actual celebration of Women’s History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma California in 1978. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. The U.S. Congress followed the next year, passing a resolution establishing a national celebration. Six years later, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the event to the entire month of March.
Women's History Month Theme
The National Women’s History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women's History Month. The 2022 theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." This theme is "both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history."
Learn more:
Women's History Month 2022
A Proclamation on Women’s History Month 2022
