VMC Infomail Newsletter: Pregnancy and Infant Loss

I wanted to share this because it starts with pregnancy loss statistics, mentioning stillborn births and miscarriages.  Sheri and I have gone through both of these, and it is not fun.  I have heard of others going through the same thing.  I feel for them.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Unfortunately, pregnancy loss is not that uncommon, but, it is rarely talked about. An estimated 1 in every 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage and stillbirth affects 1 in 160 pregnancies.  Ronald Reagan declared October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month on October 25, 1988. "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.  This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world.  It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes.” 

Many pregnancy losses cannot be prevented, but, there are recommendations made by the American Medical Association to help encourage a healthy pregnancy:

-          Avoid Alcohol

-          Stop smoking

-          Don’t take illicit drugs while pregnant  

-          Talk to your doctor about which medications are safe to take during pregnancy

-          Take folic acid before and during pregnancy

-          Maintain a healthy diet and weight when possible

-          Attend all pre-natal medical appointments

-          Monitor your baby’s movements through kick counts.

More information regarding kick counts can be found at http://americanpregnancy.org/while-pregnant/kick-counts/

April: Alcohol Awareness Month

This is an article from Infomail for valley Medical Center
Alcohol Awareness Month
The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Prevention Division wants you to know the April is Alcohol Awareness Month.  Did you know that drinking too much alcohol increases people's risk of injury, violence, drowning, liver disease, some types of cancer, and causes an all-told 100,000 alcohol related deaths every year?  the good news?  We can all do our part to prevent alcohol abuse and take action to prevent it, both at home and in the community.  For more information about Alcohol Awareness Month visit www.ncadd.org.
Below are a few ideas on how to prevent alcohol abuse:
Be careful using alcohol as a reward to deal with life pressures, find other ways to handle stress and unwind
Encourage friends and family members to make small changes, like keeping track of their drinking and setting limits
Choose a day or two each week when you will not drink.
Limit the amount of alcohol you keep in your home
Don't drink when you are upset
Make a list of reasons now to drink excessively
Talk with underage children in the home about the risks of alcohol
Keep a well-balanced life

__May is Mental Health Month, Infomail Message

Please post and distribute                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               May 15, 2014

 

Message from René G. Santiago

Sixty-five years ago, May was designated as Mental Health Month to raise awareness about mental illnesses and the importance of mental wellness for all.  Did you know that nearly 1-in-5 Americans over the age of 18 will experience a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year? Nearly half of them will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Another important fact: more people die from suicide than from homicide in Santa Clara County. In 2013, there were 149 suicides and 56 homicides in Santa Clara County. The people who died from suicide came from every city in our county, all income levels, and a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The ages of people who died from suicide ranged from 15 years old to 93 years old. Every death is tragic, but we know when it comes to suicide, these deaths are preventable.

 

From research and from experience, it is clear that mental health is integral to a person’s overall health and that there is “no health without mental health.”  With effective services and treatment, individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full, productive lives. The Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System (SCVHHS) is working to integrate prevention and treatment approaches across the Mental Health Department, Department of Alcohol & Drug Services (DADS) and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.  Through our services, we help those struggling with mental health disorders and addictions get the care they need in safe and stable environments.  By treating the physical and behavioral health needs of our patients and clients, we can improve the individual’s overall health.

In raising awareness, we need to let people know they are not alone. In the United States, it is estimated that 4 in every 10 cases of disability are directly attributed to mental disorders like major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is also estimated that twice as many women (12 percent) as men (6.6 percent) are affected by a depressive disorder.

If we really want to improve the health of our community and help our residents live well, we must continue to address mental health and addiction disorders, as well as enhance the services we provide. By having the Mental Health Department and DADS come together as a new Behavioral Health Services Department, we can be more effective in providing services and be better positioned as the provider of choice for these services.

Providing for the continuum of care is essential to helping people realize their road to recovery. The establishment of the Behavioral Health Services Department is one of the ways we will realize our SCVHHS vision of Better Health for All.