Drumming Out Stigma

 People attending a mental health celebration at Balboa Park Saturday unexpectedly found themselves in the middle of a flash mob and many joined in by dancing to the beat of “Men in Black.”

The flash mob was a surprise to many of the hundreds of participants at the “Drumming Out Stigma” event, organized by the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) and its many mental health partners to commemorate May as Mental Health Month.

One in four adults experience a mental health disorder during any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. About 61,000 people benefit from County-funded mental health services each year.

Parents and Teens Invited to Start Smart Driving Class

Parents and their teens are invited to a FREE Start Smart class on Tuesday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Viejas Training Center, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine. The class is a chance for new drivers to clearly understand their responsibilities behind the wheel. A graphic video presentation gives teens a reality check of the consequences of speeding, as well as drunk and distracted driving. A parent or guardian must accompany their teen driver throughout the class. To save a seat, please contact Crime Prevention Specialist Paula Dickenson by calling (619) 659-2608 or sending an email to paula.dickenson@sdsheriff.org. For more information about Start Smart, click here.

March for Babies North County

Several County employees took part in the Oceanside March for Babies 2011 fundraising camplaign for the March of Dimes. Bob Atkins, Jackie Collins, Maria Herrera, Eric Lardy, Rheana Corirossi, Christina Bengen, Olivier Bracktt and his son William all participated. Dozens of County employees participated in an earlier walk in Balboa Park in San Diego.

County, Rotary Club of Chula Vista Team Up for "Extreme Makeover"

Visitation room before  The Child Welfare Services’ (CWS) family visitation room in National City recently received an “extreme makeover.”

After a thorough clean and paint job, CWS staff, assisted by members of the Rotary Club of Chula Vista, filled the room with new interactive toys, children’s furniture, an area carpet, a refurbished blackboard and children’s art. The room is used by families during the reunification process.

“Research has shown visitation is key in the reunification process,” said Norma Rincon, Protective Services Supervisor. “Providing families the opportunity to visit their children in an environment conducive to safe and healthy interactions increases the likelihood of earlier and successful reunification.”

Through a successful reunification, children remain with their family, in their own neighborhood and their own community.   

Rotary Club of Chula Vista members donated their time as part of Rotarians at Work Day, a tradition started in 2006 in San Diego that has expanded worldwide. On the last Saturday of every April, Rotarians do a project of their choice in their community.

The family visitation room makeover is one of more than 30 projects conducted by the Rotary Club of Chula Vista this Rotary year.

 Visitation room after

Meet the Vector Collectors

Squirrels, mice, ticks, fleas, and mosquitos. What do they have in common? The County's Vector Control Program catches all of these animals to test for nasty diseases like West Nile Virus and plague. Without this trapping and testing, we'd never know if we had a disease outbreak in the county.

Do You Know the Cost of Meth Use?

Immunization Coaltion Celebrates 20 Years

The San Diego Immunization Coalition celebrated 20 years of fighting disease. The increased use of vaccinations has led to a reduction and prevention of disease.

Blue Zones Author Keynotes Vital Aging Conference

Dan Buettner, an internationally-recognized researcher, explorer, and author of The Blue Zones, will be the keynote speaker at the County’s Vital Aging: Keeping in Step with Your Health conference from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Liberty Station McMillin Center, 2875 Dewey Rd., San Diego. A companion event will be held at the same time at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave.

The Vital Aging Conference is a biennial event, coordinated by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s Aging & Independence Services. This event will also feature walking tours, health screenings and exercises, free lunch and giveaways.

“Our County health team is always looking for ways to assist the public in improving their health and well-being,” said Bill Horn, Chairman, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “This event is another opportunity to present information about ways to increase life expectancy, reduce absenteeism and lower health costs.”

Buettner and his team of researchers have traveled across the globe to discover what he calls “Blue Zones” — hotspots of human health and vitality. Working with the National Institute on Aging, he identified five small populations with the world’s highest life expectancy. Then he isolated the common denominators that explain extraordinary longevity: What is the optimal diet for making it to a healthy age 90? Should you be running marathons or doing yoga? What supplements work? Does stress really shorten your life?  

Buettner debunks the most common myths and offers a science-backed blueprint for the average American to live an additional 12 quality years. He takes you into the world’s five Blue Zones, tells stories and teaches how to get more life from your years and more years from your life. His second book “Thrive — Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way,” was released in October.

“The Vital Aging Conference is an important event for the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative,” said Nick Macchione, Director, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. “Supporting healthy choices is one of the goals of the initiative, and the Blue Zones presentation as well as the focus on walking, fitness and healthy eating directly addresses this important issue.”

Reservations are required for the free Vital Aging Conference; RSVP at 1-877-926-8300.  For more information, visit www.walkhealthysandiego.org. The event is also sponsored by AARP, Humana, Healthways Silver Sneakers, North County Community Action Network (NorCAN) and the Carlsbad Senior Center.



Library's Great Gown Giveaway a Huge Success

Local teens were able to shop for formal dresses at the El Cajon Library recently. Over 200 new or nearly new gowns were on display, all free of charge. The teens were also treated to free makeovers and dance lessons.

Parks and Rec/HHSA Team Up for Family Day April 30

Families are encouraged to stretch their legs in a day of fitness and fun at the sixth-annual It’s How We Live! Family Day in the Park health festival in Spring Valley.

This year’s event promises an invigorating line-up of activities, entertainment and giveaways. Besides sampling nutritious food and taking in healthy cooking demos, participants can get free health screenings, including body fat analyses and dental screenings. Experts will offer exercise and injury prevention tips, while a DJ and dance performances build positive vibes.

Prizes and giveaways will include pedometers and cookbooks. A climbing wall, crafts, games and inflatable jumps will engage and energize kids.

New this year: a “Green Zone” with hands-on activities and a focus on topics like recycling and energy efficiency to keep our environment healthy as well.

And for the first time, the event kicks off with a one-mile Family Fun Walk in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 2010 there were over 74,000 calls to the County’s child abuse hotline, and the walk is intended to raise awareness of the issue while families enjoy a healthy activity together.

Participants can register for the walk online at http://8196.bbnc.bbcust.com/page.aspx?pid=358 or at 9 a.m. on day of the event.

The festival is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Spring Valley Park, 8735 Jamacha Boulevard.

The event is hosted by the San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation, the County Health and Human Services Agency, the County Commission on Children, Youth and Families and the Promises2Kids Foundation. 

Parking and admission are free. For more information, please visit www.sdparks.org.