How to Prepare for a Winter Storm

As the cold weather takes over, it’s important to take steps to help you and your family members stay safe.  Below are a few tips to winterize your car and home and a supply kit list to keep you protected.

• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full to help prevent it from freezing.
• Insulate your home by covering windows with plastic from the inside.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected.
• If you are planning on going away during the cold weather, leave the heat on in your home and set the temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Put Together a Supply Kit

• Water – at least a 3 day supply, one gallon per person per day.
• Food – at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare foods.
• Flashlight.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
• Extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Medications – a 7 day supply.
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
• Family emergency contact information.
• Extra cash.
• Baby and pet supplies.
• Warm coats, gloves, hats, and extra blankets for all household members.

 

American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month (ADM), which strives to raise awareness of this ever-growing disease.  Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and another 79 million have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion, which shows why it’s so important to understand the symptoms and risks for the disease.

There are several risk factors for type 1 diabetes including genetics and family history and having a pancreatic disease or injury.  The main risk factor for type 2 diabetes is obesity or being overweight, which is the single best predictor for getting the disease.
Below are a few tips to preventing diabetes:

Exercise You need at least a ½ hour of exercise per day. Studies have revealed that exercise lowers blood sugar and keeps it down for several hours after the exercise which also contributes to preventing diabetes.

Lose weight  About 80% of diabetics are overweight. By just losing weight and exercising, you can often control the symptoms of diabetes.

Do not eat trans fats Reduce saturated fat intake from animal products. The newest research shows that consuming trans fats has an impact on the development of diabetes. 

Don’t drink alcohol  Drinking alcohol can contribute to the development of type II diabetes by quickly raising blood sugar to unhealthy levels.

Overcoming Stigma

One of the many difficult aspects of addiction is dealing with the stigma that accompanies it - making it harder for individuals and their families to deal with their problems and get the help that they need.  Stigma involves labeling, stereotyping, social rejection, and exclusion, as well as clients internalizing society’s negative view of addiction and feeling shameful.

Personal strategies to deal with stigma include concealing the problem, withdrawing from social situations and selective disclosure, which all prevent individuals from seeking the help that they need.

Below are some helpful tips to deal with stigma:

• Get treatment. You may be reluctant to admit you have a condition that needs treatment. Don't let the fear of being "labeled" with addiction or a mental illness prevent you from seeking help.
• Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame. Stigma doesn't just come from others. Seeking help, educating yourself, and connecting with others can help you overcome destructive self-judgment.
• Don't isolate yourself. Reach out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need. 

BCCS Director Interviewed About Club Drug Molly

Domenica Personti, BCCS Director of Adolescent Services and Prevention, spoke with WDEL 1150 AM about the prevalence of the club drug molly in DE.

Click here to watch the video and read excerpts from the interview.

 

BCCS to Host Challenge Day!

BCCS is excited to announce that we will be implementing a program modeled after the evidenced based program called Challenge Day.  Challenge Day’s mission is to provide youth and their communities with experiential workshops and programs that demonstrate the possibility of love and connection through the celebration of diversity, truth, and full expression.

BCCS is hosting a Challenge Day workshop on October 11-13, 2013 and it would like to invite the community to participate! We will be providing breakfast, lunch, and snacks.  The program runs from 9am-6:30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9a-4p on Sunday.  The workshop venue is TBD.    

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Veronica Carroll at vcarroll@brandywinecounseling.org by Wednesday, September 25, 2013.  All participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis as space is limited.

September is Suicide Awareness Month

Suicide is the leading cause of violent death in the United States and accounts for approximately 34,000 deaths per year according to the Centers for Disease Control.  It’s important to know the risks, understand the warning signs, and take action if someone you know is considering suicide. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lists the most frequently cited risk factors for suicide are:

• Some mental disorders
• Previous suicide attempt
• Family history of attempted or completed suicide
• Serious medical condition and/or pain

Warning Signs for Suicide

In many circumstances, people who commit suicide exhibit warning signs:

• Talking about wanting to kill themselves, or saying they wish they were dead
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as hoarding medicine or buying a gun
• Talking about a specific suicide plan
• Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Feeling trapped, desperate, or needing to escape from an intolerable situation
• Having the feeling of being a burden to others
• Feeling humiliated
• Having intense anxiety and/or panic attacks
• Losing interest in things, or losing the ability to experience pleasure
• Insomnia
• Becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from friends, family, and others
• Acting irritable or agitated
• Showing rage, or talking about seeking revenge for being victimized or rejected, whether or not the situations the person describes seem real

What To Do When You Suspect Someone May Be at Risk for Suicide

• If the person is threatening, talking about, or making specific plans for suicide, this is a crisis requiring immediate attention. Do not leave the person alone.
• Remove any firearms, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used for suicide from the area.
• Take the person to a walk-in clinic at a psychiatric hospital or a hospital emergency room.
• If these options are not available, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for assistance.

National Preparedness Month Tips

September 2013 marks the tenth annual National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the goal of educating the public about how to prepare for emergencies, including natural disasters such as hurricanes.  Below is information from FEMA about hurricanes and safety rules to help in a time of emergency.

Facts

• Hurricanes commonly occur during summer and fall.  They may bring high winds, heavy rains and flooding.
• A hurricane watch means there is a threat of hurricane conditions in the next 24-36 hours.
• A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected in less than 24 hours.

Tips to Take Precautions at Home

• Close and board up windows.
• Remove outside antennas.
• Bring in lawn furniture, toys, tools and garbage cans.   
• Tie down anything that can’t be brought in.
• Trim dead tree branches.
• Turn off propane tanks.

Be Ready to Evacuate

• Know safe routes inland.
• Be ready to drive inland 20-50 miles or more.
• Leave yourself plenty of time.  Traffic on evacuation routes may be backed up.

Keep Your Family Safe For more information about creating a disaster supply kit, click here.

BCCS Celebrates Recovery Month!

Recovery Month is held in September every year to promote the importance of prevention, treatment, and recovery from mental and substance use disorders. 

Recovery month is an opportunity for us to celebrate all of our clients and their efforts to make positive changes in their lives – and to show our support for all people in recovery.  One of the most important messages of Recovery Month is that recovery in all its forms is possible.

Additionally, Recovery Month offers hope to those affected by substance abuse and spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can and do recover.

There are numerous events being held in Delaware in honor of Recovery Month, including our Client BBQ on September 17^th and the Lighthouse’s Softball Tournament for staff, clients, residents and friends, held on 9/27 from 10-4 PM at Sports at the Beach in Georgetown.  Click here for BBQ information and here for more details about the softball game.

For more information on local events, visit www.recoverymonth.gov and click on Community Events.