Mercer Council News

For the last day of Pride month at 2 PM, we are hosting a Netflix watch party featuring the documentary The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha P. Johnson was a Black trans woman that was an icon of the LGBTQ+ movement and was considered a heroine of the Stonewall Riots. Many are unaware that the LGBTQ+ community has an alarmingly high rate of substance use challenges.  Many...

 We are living through a pandemic that most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes.  Recessions, depressions, wars, the Spanish Influenza, COVID-19 – do you know what all these national crises have in common?  Alcohol sales flourish during times of uncertainty and stress.  Nationally, alcohol sales have increased in stores by 29% since late March – and 291% through onlin...

Many of us have experienced some sort of traumatic event in our lives, and times like the present can intensify feelings such as hopelessness and fear."Trauma is an exposure to an extraordinary experience that presents a physical or psychological threat to oneself or others and generates a reaction of helplessness and fear (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). The exposure may have ...

Our hearts are heavy, as we mourn and attempt to process the lives we've recently lost, who were taken from their families and communities too soon, unjustly and unfairly.  As we sit and reflect on the recent tragedies, we understand and acknowledge that this racial and systematic injustice has been pervasive and long standing and that the result has been countless loss of lives for so many b...

 Recently, Merrill Reese of WBCB Radio, the "Voice of the Philadelphia Eagles" recorded two PSAs for the Prevention Coalition to help us spread awareness to parents of student athletes to keep them safe from prescription opioid misuse.  Student athletes are considered a high-risk population for opioid use and misuse because of their greater risk of injury and also becuase of a greater op...

Our thoughts are with our community, colleagues, partners, first responders and front line and essential workers during this challenging time!We are in this together, and because of that, we are stronger.Thinking of you and sending positive energy for health and well-being.Our staff have been very hard at work, continuing to deliver important services to the community, in meaningful and creative w...

Since 1949 May has been observed as Mental Health Month in the United States, and according to NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness):1 in 5 adults in the US experience a mental health condition in any given year. During this time of physical distancing, managing good mental health can be challenging. However, there are 2 practical tools anyone can use to add to their daily routine for men...

What do trampolines, toy trucks, popsicles, water talkies, earmuffs, and pringles hooks have in common? They were all invented by kids! May is National Inventor's Month! It's time to celebrate creativity and the inventions made by children and adults both in the past and present. Put on your thinking caps and check out the list of resources below dedicated to this topic. You might just discover th...

Prevention happens all year round, but next week has traditionally been the official week to celebrate and promote prevention! It’s up to all of us to take part in preventing substance abuse in our communities. Check out some of the top federal publications, campaigns, and resources related to each of the NPW daily themes below, and visit the NPW Prevention Resources page for more resources from t...

Want to stay connected with your kids? Try your cell phone.

Looking for a fun and interactive activity to play with your bored teen? Look no further than your own phone. I was recently chatting with my 20 plus year-old goddaughter about things to do during COVID-19 and she asked me if I had downloaded game pigeon? I had never heard about game pigeon. She explained that it was easy, fun and a way that I could interact with her as well as my two teenage children.

It’s as simple as downloading it from your app store. Its free and easy to download. Once another person has it on their phone, you can engage in playing fun games like scrabble, archery, pool and several other youth-oriented games. If you’re anything like me, you may only see your phone as a place to store numbers, but increasingly our phones are becoming our computers for a variety of life necessity functions. As far as I know, this is strictly for I phone users at the present time.

As we journey along during this unprecedented time, its important to find ways to stay connected. Something as simple as an interactive phone game with a teen sitting upstairs in their room alone can bridge a gap without seeming overzealous or irritating. It’s a simple invitation. And if they decline, don’t feel bad… you can even play some of the games alone. Even we adults need some time to break the monotony of our day.

Let’s continue to find creative ways to stay occupied, united and safe as we as we charter through COVID-19 together!

On May 5, 2020, people all around the world are coming together to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities at the  grassroots level. Will you be one of them?We will be one of those participating organizations and we need your help!  As a result of the pandemic, there will be trauma and increased incidences of substance use as a way for people to cope.&...

Geetha Arulmohan was the Executive Director of Mercer Council for over fourteen years .It was her personal mission to reduce the devastation caused by addiction in the Mercer County area. Her dedication to her work was well known in the community over many years.  Prior to accepting the position of Executive Director of the Mercer Council, Geetha had been employed at the Crisis Center at...

"IN TIMES OF GREAT STRESS OR ADVERSITY, IT'S ALWAYS BEST TO KEEP BUSY, TO PLOW YOUR ANGER AND YOUR ENERGY INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE."                                                              Lee IacoccaAs we continue with our Covid-19 lockdown...

Today Is April 20th- 4/20,  Do you know what this might mean?  Often it is referred to as "Weed Day".   Many myths exist about 4/20-  No, it isn't the police code for Marijuana Use! While it IS a date, historically it is linked to the time of day that youth use- after school and club responsibilities, and usually when parents are at work and there is little supervision.&nb...

Tough Times Don't Last, But Tough People Do. As we all are enduring this difficult unprecented time during the COVID-19 pandemic, may the above underlined quote serve as a reminder that this time will pass and we will come out of it stronger than ever. With many unknowns surrounding us along with the stress, fear, and concern that individuals are facing, remembering the inner strengths we each pos...

   On April 8th, seventeen PCMC Coalition members met "virtually" through Zoom to particpate in our monthly meeting.  The COVID 19 quarantine does not prevent this amazing group from getting together and continuing our Coalition work!   After a discussion about how we are all coping through this unprecedented time, members discussed ways to continue working on important pr...

April is nationally recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Safety Council has postponed Distracted Driving Awareness Month to an undetermined date for later this year. Currently, there is less travel on the roadways due to the stay at home order put in place in the efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19. Even though Distracted Driving Awar...

As a child, I recall a woman in our church singing a song written by George Beverly that said “In times like these, we need a Savior; In times like these, we need an anchor; Be very sure, be very sure, you anchor holds and grips the solid Rock”When the life altering and crisis of COVID-19 arrived in the US , our lives became a storm of great unpredictability and fear. With so many aspects of our l...

The current COVID-19 pandemic situation has resulted in unprecedented challenges for the entire Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Prevention, Treatment, and Services industry.  Social distancing restrictions, along with treatment center policy and medical screening enhancements, have posed additional unique restrictions on access to and delivery of SUD services. The ongoing opioid addiction crisis...

How are you spending your time of social distancing? During this time at home in our domains, it is especially important to protect our bodies and brains! Our brains and body can benefit from the following things, try them out and experience the joy it brings! (Brain craft featured in collage picture courtesy of My Amazing Brain by TeachersPayTeachers website, link below)Check out the followi...