Mind Springs Health to Hold Community Talks During Overdose Awareness Month in August
According to the Colorado Health Institute, nearly 27% of Coloradoans say that they, a loved one, or a friend has been addicted to alcohol or drugs in their lifetime. More than 200,000 Coloradoans know someone who has died from a prescription drug or heroin overdose. Due to the ongoing stigma surrounding addiction, many Colorado residents are not comfortable talking about problems related to substance use or are concerned that someone will find out they have a problem.
In honor of “Overdose Awareness Month” in August, Mind Springs Health is providing free, community talks throughout the Roaring Fork Valley to raise awareness of overdoses and how they can be prevented or reversed.
“When it comes to behavioral health issues, like substance abuse, we need to open the conversation about these topics in our communities,” said Maggie Seldeen, peer recovery coach for Mind Springs Health. “As a long-time resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, I’ve personally seen the serious toll that drug use and addiction can take on individuals, families, and communities. Removing the stigma and providing education is integral to getting help to those who are in need.”
Through the State Opioid Response Grant, Seldeen recently joined Mind Springs Health to help confront opioid addiction in the Roaring Fork Valley. After graduating from Colorado Mesa University in May of 2020, she chose to begin her career in behavioral health with Mind Springs Health so that she can help those who, all-too-often. slip through the cracks, without getting the help they need. Having lost her own mother to a heroin overdose, Seldeen has first-hand experience with how the opioid pandemic has plagued our local communities.
The upcoming overdose talks will be held at various local farmer markets, including:
Basalt Sunday Market – Sundays, August 9 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Carbondale Farmers’ Market – Wedensdays, August 5, 19 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Glenwood’s Downtown Market – Tuesdays, August 18, and 25, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mind Springs Health is also partnering with Garfield County Libraries to hold a free, virtual presentation on Monday, August 17 addressing harm reduction strategies related to drug use, how to identify an overdose, and how to administer Narcan in response to an overdose. Narcan is a nasal spray that may counteract the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. Since most accidental overdoses occur in a home setting, Narcan was developed for first responders, as well as family, friends, and caregivers to administer in the event of an overdose. The virtual presentation will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held through the Garfield County Library event page. The presentation will be available in both English and Spanish.
Mind Springs Health will also host a virtual event via their Facebook page on August 31 at 2 p.m. in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day.
“The Tri-County Overdose Prevention Partnership is looking for affected individuals or families to share their personal experiences with overdose and addiction as a part of the Night of Remembrance and Hope on August 31,” said Seldeen. Anyone interested in participating can visit www.ioad2020.com for more information.
Organizations or groups who would like to schedule a private overdose awareness presentation, or for anyone who would like more information about the State Opioid Response, can reach out to Maggie Seldeen directly at 970.945.2583, extension 3207.
Mind Springs Health is the Western Slope’s largest provider of counseling and therapy for mental wellness and assists individuals and families dealing with and recovering from substance abuse and addiction. Covering a 23,000-square mile area in Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Mesa, Moffat, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties, Mind Springs Health offers a continuum of mental health care with crisis response services, 12 offices for outpatient treatment, and West Springs Hospital, the only psychiatric hospital between Denver and Salt Lake City.
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