RICHLAND COUNTY — This week, Sept. 7-13. is National Suicide Prevention Week.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) offers resources on how community members and civic leaders can raise awareness through events, programs that people can get involved in, and organizations that provide help to people in need. Contact NAMI locally at 419-522-6264.
Suicide is preventable.
Reducing the stigma associated with depression, anxiety, addiction and other mental health issues can — and will — save lives.
2020 flu shot information
Richland Public Health will begin its annual flu immunization clinics in October, reports Amy Schmidt, Director of Nursing. “We would like to see you get your annual flu shot before flu starts spreading in our community. Since it takes about two weeks to develop the antibodies, you should get the flu vaccine before the end of October,” said Amy Schmidet, director of Nursing for Richland Public Health. “This timing is best for protection during the flu season which typically peaks between December and March.”
How flu shot clinics will be handled by Richland Public Health is still in the planning process, but safety protocols will be in place for getting flu shots during the COVID-19 pandemic. More details will be available athttps://richlandhealth.org when finalized.
Will there be flu along with COVID-19 in the fall and winter?
The CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading. In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be very important, not only to reduce your risk from flu, but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources.
Who should get a flu shot?
The CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.
Can I have flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
Yes. It is possible to have flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Will a flu vaccine protect me against COVID-19? Getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19. However, flu vaccination has many other important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death.
Child Passenger Safety Week
The goal of Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 21-27) is to make sure all children are secured properly in appropriate seats – every trip, every time. Parents and caregivers are urged to make sure their child safety seats and booster seats are properly installed and used in their vehicles.
“Every 33 seconds, a child under 13 is involved in a crash,” said Reed Richmond, health educator and certified child passenger safety technician at Richland Public Health. “Using car seats that are age- and size-appropriate is the best way to keep your child safe.”
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children, Richmond noted, and car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference.
“In 2017 (the most recent year for which data is available) 43% of children dying in car crashes were improperly restrained and not restrained at all. Car seats matter, and having the right car seat installed and used the right way is critical.”
Richland Public Health conducts child car seat checks on a call-in basis. Call 419-774-4726 to schedule an appointment.
For more information on Child Passenger Safety see the car seat information at richlandhealth.org (type “Child Car Seat” in the search box for fastest access) or call Reed Richmond at 419-774-4726.
Parents and caregivers can view more information on car seat safety and locate other certified technicians at www.safercar.gov/parents.
Booster Seats are required from ages 5 to 8 years old or under 4 feet, 9 inches tall.
