Tag: suicide

Hibernate Healthy: The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Gives Tips to Combat Substance Use Disorder This Winter

February 6, 2026
Media Contact: Dr. Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov.

Hibernate Healthy: The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Gives Tips to Combat Substance Use Disorder This Winter

WARRENTON, Va. –  Winter is often a time of reflection and resolution, but for some, it’s a time when substance use increases. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District reminds the community that substance use disorder (SUD) is a critical issue highlighted during this time of year, particularly as individuals and communities set intentions for improvement and recovery.

Winter months often bring unique challenges that can increase the risk of drug use. Shorter daylight hours, colder temperatures, and reduced opportunities for outdoor activities can lead to feelings of isolation and seasonal depression. Social gatherings and celebrations where substances may be present can create an environment where individuals are more vulnerable to relapses or misuse. Understanding these risks is essential for developing strategies to maintain sobriety and support overall well-being during this season.

“Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy that ripples through families, schools, and workplaces,” said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, M.D. “Our commitment to prevention, treatment, and recovery remains strong, and we urge everyone to learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose, especially during the winter months when stress and isolation can increase risk.”

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District share tips to stay resilient:

  • Stay connected with friends, family, and recovery groups.
  • Anticipate high-risk situations and rehearse responses.
  • Set boundaries for social events.
  • Remain aware of personal triggers that are brought on by large social gatherings, especially when alcohol is served.
  • Substance use struggles often happen together with mood disorders like depression or anxiety increasing vulnerability during stressful times in winter.
  • Maximize daylight exposure, ensure proper sleep, exercise regularly, and eat balanced meals.
  • Replace substance-related habits with comforting alternatives like tea, journaling, or meditation. Use journaling to identify patterns and act early on warning signs.
  • Join support groups or volunteer to boost mood and structure.
  • Connect with professional help if needed.

If you have drug or alcohol concerns, mental health struggles, emotional distress, or just need someone to talk to, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. A trained crisis worker can provide immediate help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you have questions about SUD, contact the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District at (www.rrhd.org).

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Norfolk Department of Public Health to Host Youth Mental Health Movie Event – “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” and Panel Discussion at Regal Cinemas, MacArthur Center

September 24, 2024
Media Contact: Kathy Lamm, KathyLamm@vdh.virginia.gov, Phone: 757-799-8699

Norfolk Department of Public Health to Host Youth Mental Health Movie Event – “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” and Panel Discussion at Regal Cinemas, MacArthur Center

NORFOLK, Va. –The Norfolk Department of Public Health will host a free preview screening of Ken Burns’ powerful documentary, Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, followed by an engaging panel discussion of Norfolk’s top youth mental health experts. Free and open to the public, the Norfolk Department of Public Health hopes to bring awareness to youth mental health with this special event on World Mental Health Day, October 10.

Event Details:

  • Date: October 10
  • Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Location: Regal Cinemas at MacArthur Center, Norfolk
  • Admission: Free (Reserved ticket required)
  • Tickets available: NorfolkPublicHealth.com

Mental health among youth is a critical concern, and recent statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) highlight the urgency of the issue. According to NAMI, nearly 1 in 5 adolescents aged 13 to 18 are affected by a mental health disorder each year. Furthermore, suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 24, underscoring the need for increased awareness and support.

“Addressing youth mental health is a priority for our community,” said Director of the Norfolk Department of Public Health Susan Girois, M.D. “By coming together and engaging in open dialogue, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health and equip our young people with the support they need to thrive.”

The documentary Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness offers an unvarnished look into the daily challenges faced by young people struggling with mental health issues. Through intimate portrayals of their lives, the film tackles critical themes such as stigma, discrimination, and the urgent need for public awareness and dialogue.

Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion featuring mental health experts, advocates, and community leaders. This discussion will explore the film’s themes, address the complexities of mental illness, and promote constructive conversation around public policy, research, and educational efforts.

Parents, students, teachers, counselors, and anyone who works with youth are invited to join us in this important conversation and to help foster a more supportive environment for our young people. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every young person in our community has access to the mental health support they deserve.

Reservations: Tickets for the event are free but must be reserved in advance. To secure your ticket, please click here.

Explore our self-help mental health resources at NorfolkPublicHealth.com

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This service provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.

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Virginia Department of Health Launches New Epidemiology Reports

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 28, 2022
Media Contact:  Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Launches New Epidemiology Reports

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is launching a new section on the Data Portal page on the VDH website called Epidemiology Reports.

VDH’s data portal provides a convenient access point for public health-related data for Virginia. The new Epidemiology Reports section will contain reports that are a collaboration between various epidemiologists and data scientists at VDH on important public health topics.

The new Epidemiology Reports page can be found here: www.vdh.virginia.gov/data/epidemiology-reports/.

“The first two reports we are posting address key issues that result in harm or death that have been on the increase, both in Virginia and nationwide,” said State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH. “More importantly, these health conditions have been shown to be amenable to intervention, and are thus topics that demand attention and collaboration across our communities and our Commonwealth.”

“We are pleased to provide a new regular series of short reports for the general public, health professionals and policymakers that focus on key aspects of major public health issues in Virginia and highlight the work of VDH epidemiologists,” said State Epidemiologist Lilian Peake, MD, MPH.

The first two reports to be added to the Epidemiology Reports sections are Self-Harm and Suicide Among Virginia Youth Aged 9-18 Years, 2015-2021 and Alcohol-Related Death in Virginia, 2016-2020.

In the first report, Self-Harm and Suicide Among Virginia Youth Aged 9-18 Years, 2015-2021, VDH examined self-harm and suicide among youth aged 9-18 years in Virginia using data from 2016-2021 for emergency department (ED) visits, 2016-2020 for nonfatal inpatient hospitalizations, and 2015-2021 for deaths by suicide.

Key findings from this report include:

  • Self-harm ED visits and nonfatal self-harm hospitalizations are increasing. No comparable increase in suicides among youth 9-18 years in Virginia.
  • The majority of persons with self-harm ED visits (68%) and nonfatal self-harm hospitalizations (74%) among Virginia youth were female. However, the majority of deaths (71%) by suicide were among males.
  • More than nine out of 10 nonfatal self-harm hospitalizations among youth were due to drug poisonings, compared to 7% of all youth suicides. Guns were the most common cause of youth suicide (51%).
  • While the highest self-harm ED visit rate occurred in the Northwest region, the highest rate of self-harm hospitalizations and deaths by suicide occurred in the Central region.
  • Young Virginians were hospitalized for self-harm-related injuries for 1,588 days with more than $13 million dollars in hospitalization costs in 2020.

In the second report, Alcohol-Related Death in Virginia, 2016-2020, VDH examined alcohol-related death in Virginia to describe the full range of causes of alcohol-related death and changes in these deaths over time using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) Application.

Key findings from this report include:

  • The number of alcohol-related deaths in Virginia increased each year from 2016 to 2020, with the greatest increase in 2020.
  • Alcoholic liver disease was the most common alcohol-related death.
  • Males died of an alcohol-related death at higher rates than females.
  • Black Virginians had the highest rate of alcohol-related death.
  • People aged 85+ years are at highest risk of alcohol-related death in Virginia.
  • Rural areas have higher rates of alcohol-related death than urban areas.

Additional reports will be added to the Epidemiology Reports page as they become available.

For more information on either of these reports, please contact Population Health at population.health@vdh.virginia.gov.

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