After School and Childcare Services
Resources of Decatur's After School and Day Care Programs for all ages.
@Decatur Public Library
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month
March is formally known as Endometriosis Awareness Month, but I also wanted to include gender bias in healthcare because it occurs far too often. For instance, 1 in 5 women report they feel their practitioner ignored their symptoms, especially when related to gynecological health. Moreover, “women especially those in child-bearing years—were excluded from clinical trials for many years. Researchers felt they could not adequately control women’s variable hormonal status.” This type of exclusion from research can have detrimental health impacts for a myriad of reasons. One is that researchers and providers do not know how the drugs they prescribe may interact with the additional hormones of women. It can also be dangerous because diagnosis can be delayed.
To get more specific, endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 women but can take up to 8-10 years to diagnose because healthcare providers misdiagnose or normalize the symptoms of a painful menstrual cycle. What I have mentioned today barely skims the surface. Not only is there gender bias, but also bias due to age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc. The medical field has made strides and improvements, but there is more work to do in the coming years.
So what can be done?
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.c...
https://endometriosis.org/reso...
Child Abuse Awareness
Combating child abuse is everyone's responsibility. In 2021, 3.9 million reports were made to child protective services. Take time to educate yourself on the signs of abuse and neglect. Learn to listen with empathy and acknowledge feelings. Avoid expressing anger, asking too many questions, and making promises you can't keep.
Some risk factors, such as substance misuse and poverty, increase the likelihood of abuse, but it can happen at any socio-economic level. So, acknowledge how you can be part of the solution. This can include volunteering your time and offering concrete support in the midst of hardship. It can also look like donating to agencies that support children and families. Or you can become a child advocate, sign up for Safe Families, and spread the word on social media or with families and friends. Don't be afraid to have difficult and educational conversations because it is critical to awareness and prevention.
For more information, visit: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/
Did you know that 1 in 5 people experience mental health each year? Mental illness affects more than 50 million people each year, and did you know that 60% of your health is determined by where you live? So what can you do to support your mental health and community?
This issue strikes a nerve for me. I lost a loved one to the horrible disease of Alzheimer's. No person or family should ever endure the pain and heartache this disease can cause. The sad reality is that 6.7 million people are living with Alzheimer's and Dementia; it is listed as the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. It kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. This disease not only takes a toll on the individual but also on caregivers. I have experienced this firsthand, and it is an arduous journey. So, what can we do?
On a macro level, we can advocate and be the voice of many by urging Congress to increase research funding and contacting elected officials about the bipartisan Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act. You can act by going to https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/advocate. You can sign up for the Decatur Walk to End Alzheimer's. You can visit us at the library! We will have books available if you want to know more about Alzheimer's and Dementia.
You can also support yourself and encourage others by learning to love your brain! Growing evidence suggests that people can reduce the risk of cognitive decline by incorporating critical lifestyle practices. This includes healthy eating habits, physical and mental exercises, good sleep patterns, and community. For more tips on how to love your brain, go to https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain.
For more information please visit: https://www.alz.org/
Often Overdose Awareness is seen as a taboo topic and something we should not discuss, but is that benefiting anyone when an overdose is a leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45 in America today? Recent increases have been largely driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl and altered forms of fentanyl. Here are some important things to know:
1. We first need to create a space to allows those to grieve who have lost a loved one to an overdose without fear of stigmatization.
2. Everyone should educate themselves on the signs of overdose. It could save a life. A few to look out for are small "pinpoint" pupils, falling asleep, heading nodding, unconscious, cold skin, and discolored skin (lips/nails).
3. An opioid overdose can be reversed with Naloxone (Narcan). It is easy to use and small to carry, and anyone can use it without medical training or authorization. Naloxone won’t harm someone if they’re overdosing on drugs other than opioids, so it’s always best to use it if you think someone is overdosing. Please don't be a bystander. Take the time to learn so you can save a life.
4. Identify what community resources are available? Both Heritage and Crossings Healthcare have substance use programs.
Heritage provides free Naloxone and safe-use kits for the community.
Suicide is a serious public health concern. In 2021, 12.3 million people seriously thought about suicide, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. People who have experienced violence, including child abuse, bullying, or sexual violence, are at higher risk for suicide. Suicide prevention is everyone's business. You can be the one to help a friend, coworker, or loved one. Let's take time to look for the warning signs and how to get help.
Warning signs:
How to get help:
Find out how these actions can save a life by visiting www.BeThe1To.com.
Be sure to stop by the library and check out the display to learn more about how you can play a part in preventing suicide.
Ten million people suffer in silence yearly as an intimate partner in the US abuses them.
Myth: If a victim doesn’t leave, it must not be that bad, or they are okay with how they are being treated.
FACT: Leaving an abusive relationship is extremely difficult. On average, a victim will try to leave an abusive relationship at least eight times before they can leave successfully. Some of the things abusers do to make leaving hard can include creating financial dependence, using children as a coercion tool, making threats of violence or legal retaliation, or using the court system to keep control of a victim even after they leave.
So, what can you do?
Myth: People who are homeless should get a job, and then they would not be homeless.
Fact: Many people who are homeless do have jobs, sometimes two or even three. As many as 40%-60% of people experiencing homelessness nationwide are employed. However, a paycheck does not necessarily solve homelessness or other challenges.
What can you do?
For information, please visit doveinc.org or Dove’s Facebook page
Click below for a poster listing the 30 rights on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
49.6 million people are estimated to be victims of human trafficking or to be living in modern-day slavery, including the 22 million in forced marriages. The remaining 27.6 million is made up of:
Why don’t victims run away?
The relationship between human traffickers and their victims is complex. It is rare for the control to be based on physical confinement like locked doors or shackles. Instead, victims are more commonly exploited through manipulation, fear, dependency (including drugs), threats or debt bondage.
What can you do?
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. We all most likely know someone who has been impacted by cancer. Did you know that 40% of all cancer-related deaths could be preventable? About 90% of all cancers are linked to environmental and lifestyle factors, while 10% are genetic. So what can you do?
For more information, you can visit the library and check out our book display on cancer prevention or visit https://www.aacr.org/
Looking for a dependable source of information about and assistance with healthcare, housing, food and more? Set up a confidential appointment with the library Social Worker today! All assistance is free and available to the public.
Resources of Decatur's After School and Day Care Programs for all ages.
Find information about Decatur's resale and thrift shops.
Find out all you need to know to find a job, including improving your computer skills.
Find information about rent and utilities assistance as well as programs to help families get out of debt and poverty.
Find out when and where Decatur food pantries and soup kitchens are available.
Medical resources in Decatur for hospitals, doctors, dental/vision, family health needs and department of health.
Housing Resources in Decatur for men, women, children and those needing transitional housing, emergency shelter or housing assitance.
Resources regarding legal services for low-income clients, legal assistance hotline, and local government information.
Local resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, all other sexual and gender minorities, their families and friends.
Decatur has many resources and counseling services for those struggling with, or are family members of those battling substance abuse, domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Information on public transportation throughout Decatur as well as ADA accessible rides and medical transportation providers.
Local information for senior citizens looking for housing possibilities and other daily resources.
Resources for women and children including pregnancy, family health, nutrition and abuse assistance .
Please refer to the link below year round so that your organization can update us on changes to service offerings at any time. Find it here: