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Submit a Project Proposal for Breastfeeding Support by Jan. 9
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Living Healthy Washington County is pleased to announce a funding opportunity that supports chest/breastfeeding journeys within the workplace and community settings. Project proposals may include revamping a current room, updating or creating a breastfeeding support policy, adding more furniture to create multi-user spaces, or new door signage and locks to provide a private and comfortable environment.
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Employees Enjoy Opportunity to be Active at Work
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In keeping with their strong commitment to bicycling and employee wellness, the City partnered with Living Healthy Washington County to support biking in the workplace. In March 2022, they purchased four bicycles for employee use. The City worked to ensure the bikes would be ready for use by spring thaw. Donna Robol, the City of Stillwater’s Chief Human Resources Officer, helped coordinate the efforts to develop and present an employee bicycling policy to Stillwater City Council. After the policy passed, the City offered training for City employees on proper bicycle use, covering topics from how to shift bicycle gears to how to pump a bike tire. The training also served as a kick-off to encourage employees to participate in bike-friendly activities during the workday.
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Try Out a Light Therapy Kit!
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If you've been interested in trying out "light therapy" during the dark winter months, check out a light therapy kit from your local library! Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as well as other conditions like non-seasonal depression and insomnia. It works by helping to replace "lost" sunshine with daily light exposure from a light box. However, this practice isn't a replacement for getting outside to experience natural sunlight - even when it's cold! Each light therapy kit includes a TRAVelite therapy light and supporting resources on mental health and resilience. These kits are designed so you can try out light therapy before investing in your own kit. Our light therapy kits were paid for with a grant from the WellSpring Project, a community-driven initiative to promote resilience and healthy development for all people in Washington County.
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In 2021, overdoses from all drugs claimed more than 100,000 lives for the first time, and deaths this year have remained at nearly the same level — more than gun and auto deaths combined. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in MN and the nation for those between the ages of 18-45.
Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, acts to reverse opioid overdoses and save lives when used in time by helping a person breath. According to Alicia House, Executive Director of the Steve Rummler HOPE Network (SRHN) “Naloxone helps a person breath until help can arrive and we know it is a leading driver in decreasing deaths.”
Anyone can receive training on how to administer Naloxone. According to House, “There is a lot of stigma around substance use disorder. You don’t have to be using substances yourself or know of someone who does. Our goal is to get Naloxone into the hands of everyone in MN. It’s like saying that you don’t need to know CPR – you just never know when you might need to use it. We want to see the number of overdose deaths go down to zero.”
The Steve Rummler Hope Network (SRHN) provides overdose prevention resources including naloxone (the opioid overdose reversal medication), training and education, organizational policies and fentanyl test strips to the public at no cost. SRHN can provide in person or virtual training. There are Naloxone Access Points (NAP) throughout the state where you can find naloxone and fentanyl test strip kits free-of-charge, with the goal of improving community access to life saving overdose reversal medication, naloxone.
Safe Disposal of Unwanted or Expired Medications
Another important step is to dispose of unwanted and expired medicines in your home which can pose a risk for accidental poisoning, theft, and substance use. There are six year-round drop boxes in Washington County, including Forest Lake, Cottage Grove, Hugo, Mahtomedi, Stillwater, and Woodbury.
Concerned about yourself, a loved one, or need general information?
FastTrackerMN.org is a behavioral health search tool that gives Minnesotans access to real time information and availability for chemical and mental health resources for yourself or a loved one. For more information, call Fast-Tracker at 651-426-6347.
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Living Healthy Washington County E-News is a monthly digest from Washington County Public Health & Environment that showcases local stories, news, resources, and events related to building a healthier Washington County. The newsletter also highlights strategies and opportunities in Washington County through the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP). 