Prevention & Wellness
Horizon’s Prevention & Wellness Services works to prevent substance misuse and suicide to promote mental wellness in Central Virginia.
The focus is on providing evidence-based prevention programs, trainings, awareness campaigns and effective strategies to the community. An emphasis is placed on community collaboration and mobilization, enabling groups to work together to address identified needs for benefit of the community. Areas of priority include tobacco & nicotine, over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, marijuana, opiates and methamphetamines.
Horizon also focuses on suicide prevention and creation of trauma-informed, resilient communities.
Evidence Based Prevention Programs & Initiatives
- Data to Action Resource Team developed in partnership with the Crisis Intervention Team of Central Virginia to better understand how societal factors are impacting substance use and mental illness in Central Virginia.
- Too Good for Drugs (an evidence based program) in ninth grade health classes and through the SODA mentoring program.
- Community Trainings such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Mental Health First Aid, REVIVE Opioid Overdose Response, and Bridges Out of Poverty trainings which includes information on the impact of childhood trauma, helping someone experiencing a mental health problem, responding to an opioid overdose emergency with life-saving Naloxone, and reducing the impact of economic, cultural & societal hurdles.
- Register to attend an upcoming training, at no cost, by emailing mhealth@horizonbh.org.
- Register to attend an upcoming REVIVE Training
- Media Campaigns help to promote healthy life choices by creating a community that is well informed through awareness strategies that connect individuals to local resources.
- Counter Tools program initiative to counteract tobacco product sales to minors.
- Appomattox Addiction & Resiliency Team (AART), Bedford Area Resource Council (BARC), Central Virginia Addiction & Recovery Resources (CVARR), Central Virginia Suicide Prevention & Awareness Coalition (SPA) partnerships aimed at problem solving to address community needs.
- Lock and Talk Suicide Prevention initiative designed to promote safe and responsible care of guns, medication and other lethal means. Medication lock boxes, medication disposal bags, trigger and cable locks for guns are provided to the community at no cost. Click here to find more information about suicide prevention on the Lock & Talk Virginia website.
- Above The High initiative to prevent substance use in Central Virginia. Click here for more information.
Contact the Prevention and Wellness Department
For more information or questions about prevention, or to register for a training, please contact Januwaa Davis, Program Manager.
- Email: Januwaa.Davis@HorizonBH.org
- Phone: 434-477-5464
Trainings Offered by Horizon Prevention and Wellness Services
ASIST is a 2-day training program that teaches how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. The training provides those in formal helping roles with professional development to ensure that they are prepared to provide suicide first aid help as part of the care they provide. However, it is also for family, friends, and other community members that may be the first to talk with a person at risk, but have little or no training.
ASIST is a face-to-face workshop and is highly participatory featuring mini-lectures, powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and group simulations. The workshop is facilitated by two knowledgeable, supportive trainers will guide participants through the course, ensuring comfort and safety.
Hidden in Plain Sight is a 1-2 hour community awareness program designed to educate parents, professionals, and other caring adults on the signs of risky teen behaviors. As a part of the program, an interactive display is set-up that walks participants through a typical teenage bedroom. The program examines the latest trends and youth culture as it relates to drug use, underage drinking, mental health, violence, sexuality, and other risky behaviors.
The workshop is typically presented by a member of law enforcement and a prevention specialist and may conclude with a panel of experts. Those in attendance are provided with many helpful tools and resources to foster healthy youth development.
There are both virtual and in-person training options.
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour certification course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations, improves understanding, reduces stigma and provides a five step action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder. Using scenarios and role playing, participants are given the opportunity to practice their new skills and gain confidence in helping others.
The eight-hour certification course introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact and reviews common treatments. The course is intended for community members of all sectors.
There are both virtual and in-person training options.
REVIVE! is the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (OONE) program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. REVIVE! provides lay rescuer training on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency using naloxone. Opioids include licit medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone, in addition to illicit drugs like heroin.
The REVIVE! training is between 1-1.5 hours long. This training covers understanding opioids, how opioid overdoses happen, risk factors for opioid overdoses, and how to respond to an overdose emergency with the administration of Naloxone. Those attending a REVIVE Training instructed by Horizon Behavioral Health will receive a REVIVE kit which includes supplies needed to administer Narcan and two free doses of Narcan.
There are both virtual and in-person training options.
LivingWorks safeTALK is a four-hour face-to-face workshop featuring powerful presentations, audiovisuals, and skills practice designed to improve skills and readiness. At a safeTALK workshop, participants will learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for further support. This training also helps break down stigma related to mental health and suicide in the community.
A skilled, supportive trainer will provide guidance for the course, and a community resource will be on hand to support your safety and comfort.
This training must be conducted in-person.
Understanding ACE’s teaches communities about the implications of early childhood adversity and long-term health through the Ace Interface Initiative. This 3 hour training increases participant’s knowledge and understanding around trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs. This toxic stress impacts brain development as well as our physical and mental health.
The training explores the impacts of toxic stress on brain development, neuroscience, epigenetics, and the ACE Study. There is an emphasis on resilience and connecting people to helpful resources. The goal is to improve education and awareness resulting in the reduction of adverse childhood experiences and ultimately improving the overall health and wellbeing of our communities.
There are both virtual and in-person training options.
