Grassroots 24/7 Crisis Assistance - 410-531-6677 (local) or 2-1-1 (statewide)
Walk-in Assistance 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., 7 Days/Week at Grassroots Crisis Center 
Resources and Referrals - 410-313-6202 

For additional information and resources click above or visit HoCoOpioidHelp

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness and education about the importance of early screening, testing and more.  The Health Department holds a Breast Cancer Remembrance Tree Pinning which celebrates the lives of those who have or have had Breast Cancer. Visitors to the Health Department can pin the names of friends and loved ones on the “tree” to acknowledge their fight against this disease. 
 

Breast Cancer Resources:

• Health Department Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP)
• Breast Cancer Awareness - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• Susan G. Komen Foundation 

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month

Join Howard County Health Department in recognizing National Substance Abuse Prevention Month (NSAPM.)  NSAPM is an annual observance focused on raising the public awareness about the importance of substance use prevention. Early intervention helps prevent substance abuse and reduce the negative consequences of addiction before they occur. 

As part of NSAPM, Howard County Health Department is encouraging the community to take action and get involved in preventing substance abuse by participating in Drug Take Back Day hosted by HCDrugFree on October 27, 2018 to return unwanted prescription medications. For details and more information about Drug Take Back Day, visit HC DrugFree's webpage.

Seasonal Flu Clinics

Coming in November.

 The Doctor Is In - Episode Two - Teen Mental Health & Suicide 

The second episode of the Health Department podcast, The Doctor Is In is now available on Howard Community College’s Dragon Digital Radio.  This episode explores teen mental health and suicide.  In Howard County, from 2014-2016, suicide was the number one cause of death for teens age 15-19. In this podcast, we'll talk to the mother of a Howard County girl who died by suicide and to the lead clinician from Grassroots' Mobile Crisis Team about teen mental health, suicide and resources available to help. You can hear all of the episodes of The Doctor Is In at: https://dragondigitalradio.podbean.com/category/the-doctor-is-in 

National Recovery Month Walk Rescheduled 

The Recovery Walk has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. It will be held at the Ellicott City Assembly of God church located at 10600 Frederick Rd. Ellicott City, MD  21042.  There will be live music, resources and free food (while supplies last).

Recovery Resources

• Howard County Health Department Bureau of Behavioral Health - Resources, information, referrals - 410-313-6202
• HoCoOpioidHelp - Howard County Opioid Information and Resources
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - 877-SAMHSA-7 (877-726-4727) 
• Grassroots Crisis Hotline (24/7) - 410-531-6677

 Featured Video

Howard County Health Department Peer Support Specialist, Scott Sheldon, talks about his experience with substance misuse and the purpose of the Good Samaritan Law.

For more information about substance use/abuse and prevention see our Behavioral Health page.  For Opioid Overdose Response (naloxone) Training, call 410-313-6202 or contact orpresponse@howardcountymd.gov.  (You must reside, work or attend school in Howard County to participate.) 

An Opioid Overdose Response Program Information video is available for viewing online. To view, click on the following ezcast.com link to Opioid/Heroin Overdose Training.

Suicide Prevention App for Smart Phones

Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/there-is-hope/id1122136102?mt=8

Google Play Store:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nextlogik.grassroots&hl=en

The Howard County Health Department, in cooperation with the Animal Control and Adoption Center sponsor monthly local vaccination clinics to protect your pet from the rabies virus.
Bring your dog, cat, or ferret for a discounted vaccination the 3rd Thursday of each month.

Important: If you think you are sick due to eating bad food or food product, contact the Bureau of Environmental Health at 410-313-1772.  After business  hours, leave a message with your call back information and we will return your call first thing the morning of the following day.

Upcoming Calendar of Events

Thursday, 1 November, 2018
American Diabetes Month

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training

Friday, 2 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training.

Wednesday, 7 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

Thursday, 8 November, 2018
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Health Care Recruitment Fair  - North Laurel Community Center

Friday, 9 November, 2018
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Certified Chronic Pain Self-Management Leader Training

Wednesday, 14 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM Local Behavioral Health Authority Board Meeting

Thursday, 15 November, 2018
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM STI Update - CME Event for Pediatricians – STI Screening and Treatment Info & Data

Saturday, 17 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Annual Coat Day & Homeless Resource Fair – Wilde Lake Interfaith Center

Monday, 19 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Opioid Overdose Prevention Training

Wednesday, 21 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

Tuesday, 27 November, 2018
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Board of Health Meeting

Wednesday, 28 November, 2018
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Diabetes Awareness Month Lobby Event

Friday, 30 November, 2018
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Addressing Racial Trauma Lecture – Howard Community College