by Guest | Apr 14, 2017 | Being Well
By Beth Hope, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) coordinator
“The words of your enemies do not hurt as much as the silence of your friends.” Daisy Coleman
Daisy Coleman and Audrie Pott are young teens who were sexual assaulted and re-victimized by cyber bullying. Their stories are told in the documentary, Audrie & Daisy, which examines the ripple effects of sexual assault on families, friends, schools, and communities.
Audrie and Daisy’ stories are not unique. Whether or not we realize it, you and I have friends who have experienced sexual violence. Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) calls us to action: to acknowledge the prevalence of sexual assault; to understand its impact on individuals and communities; to commit to supporting survivors; to speak out against harmful attitudes and actions; and to take steps to prevent sexual violence.
The American Medical Association calls sexual assault a “silent, violent epidemic.” Every 98 seconds an American woman or man is sexually assaulted (RAINN, 2017). Worldwide, seven of ten women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes (WHO, 2013). Sexual assault affects women, children, and men of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
I found this to be true when I started working as a sexual assault advocate and began telling friends about my new job. I had to be prepared to listen, because everyone I told had their own story to tell. Before taking this job, I had no idea that sexual assault impacted so many people—including, basically, everyone I knew.
Unfortunately, survivors almost always blame themselves, especially victims of childhood sexual abuse. They think that somehow they bring this on themselves. Perpetrators of sexual violence like to blame their victims. Worst of all, blaming victims of crime is a culturally acceptable practice, especially the victims of sexual violence. Victims of theft, for example, are not usually held responsible for their victimization. Victim-blaming is well illustrated in the video, The Rape of Mr. Smith. Understanding victim-blaming and holding awareness of how we talk about sexual violence gives us an opportunity to use our voices to change the culture.
In addition to immediate physical and emotional costs, sexual assault often carries associated consequences such as economic disruption, housing instability, and long-term health impairment. “Sexual abuse is among the most destructive of crimes, brutal and devastating in the moment and carrying the potential to haunt victims forever.” (National Prison Rape Elimination Report, 2009) It is a form of trauma, and as such can result in any number of mental and physical health conditions, including the development of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effects of sexual assault are felt not just by the victims, but also their families, friends, coworkers—their community, our community. It doesn’t have to be this way. The best way to mitigate the development of PTSD is to listen and believe when someone tells you that they have been violated.
As an advocate, it is a privilege for me to sit with survivors and listen. I witness the pain felt by women and men who have experienced sexual violence. I grieve when I hear survivors tell their stories. I sense the sorrow of their friends and family members. What impacts me the most is the strength of survivors. In spite of experiencing deep violation, they demonstrate courage by speaking out, by taking brave steps, by moving forward, by surviving.
Another way to change our culture is to learn how to respond if someone tells you that that they have sexually assaulted. It is not as difficult as it seems. First, listen. Judging the person or the situation can be harmful. So, listen. Second, believe them. They’re telling you because they trust you. You don’t have to be an expert or need to judge the situation. Listen some more. After listening, here are some things you could say.
- I believe you.
- It’s not your fault.
- You are not alone.
- Whatever you’re feeling, it’s normal.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about preventing and responding to sexual violence, supporting survivors, and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions. To prevent this “silent, violent epidemic,” we must educate ourselves and speak out.
This SAAM month, TCWRC invites you to take part in awareness and fundraising activities:
- Watch the Audrie & Daisy documentary, streaming on Netflix; host a screening and talk about it with parents and friends.
- Attend the Ruth Wariner talk on April 18, TBCC, 5:30-7:00 pm.
- Attend the TCWRC fundraiser, the Harlem Ambassadors, April 20, 6 pm, Tillamook High School gym. Proceeds go to survivor services.
- Come by the TCWRC office (1902 Second Street) to pick up teal ribbons to tie on your vehicle and to wear on your jacket.
- Make a note of the TCWRC 24/7 helpline number to give to friends: 503-842-9486.
by Michelle | Apr 5, 2017 | Being Well
By Michelle Jenck, Year of Wellness Coordinator
You’ve probably heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The same can be said for making wise investments in health during early childhood to avoid the cost of poor health later in life. These investments begin before a child is even born.
Research shows that maternal health is a huge predictor of a child’s future health. What mom eats is what the baby eats. If mom is stressed, the baby’s nervous system is stressed too. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol and maintaining a healthy eating pattern during pregnancy are critical to ensuring proper growth and development. Self-care for mom is also care for the baby. Parents continuing these habits of healthy eating and activity throughout a child’s life models this lifestyle and encourages a child to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle throughout their life.
Other things we know from established research are that nutrition and movement play a significant role in how well a child learns. A positive, encouraging and stable environment protects a growing child’s brain from the negative impacts of trauma. While these benefits are most critical during the first five years of a child’s life, they don’t end there. In the case of tobacco use, research shows that, students who do not use tobacco products before age 21 are far less likely to ever start. Additionally, nutrition, physical activity and healthy relationships are directly tied to a student’s academic, social and emotional health, thereby contributing to life-long success.
YOW partners are supporting childhood health and many other national observances during the month of April, including the “Move More” campaign. No fooling – you can win $100 VISA gift card by signing up for the YOW Tracker. Session #2 starts April 1st. Go to tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org or use the YOW app to get in it to win it.
On April 5th, National Walking Day events will be held throughout the county – from Manzanita, starting at Hoffman Center Garden with Rinehart Clinic, to Kilchis Point with Gary Albright and a guided tour, to multiple walks starting at Tillamook Bay Community College, Tillamook Regional Medical Center and in South County, at the Kiawanda Community Center. Little steps lead to big gains. Get moving – Get healthy for good!
April is National Child Abuse Awareness month, the pinwheel gardens and bouquets throughout Tillamook County help to promote our community’s support and commitment to the social and emotional well-being of children and families. On April 18th, YOW presents a special book reading and discussion with New York Times best-selling author Ruth Warnier, The Sound of Gravel, at TBCC who discusses her own childhood trauma and recovery.
Early Childhood Screenings are back at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds, on April 19, 20 and 21st. FREE annual well-child check includes twelve comprehensive screenings for ages 2 to 6. Call Adventist Health at 503-815-2292 for an appointment. The Tillamook County Community Health Centers will present a community Wellness Fair at TBCC on April 27th with FREE screenings for college students, their families and all community members.
Then join us at the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day featuring Lego Block Fest and Family Fun Fair on April 29th. This FREE event is for everyone (you don’t have to be a Y member), and will include resources and activities for kids of all ages.
These are just a few of the dozens of health and wellness events going on in Tillamook County in April – there are also hikes and walks with Explore Nature, new classes starting and much more. Go to www.tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org or www.tillamookliving.com for more information and details about all the events in April sure to get you hopping right into health and fitness.
by Guest | Mar 14, 2017 | Being Well
Ash Wednesday, March 1st – Start of Lent
Millions of Christians are preparing to celebrate Lent – a time of year that many non-believers may associate with fasting or abstinence.
But there is a lot more to the religious observance than giving up something, as it is regarded as a period of spiritual preparation to grow closer to God in the run-up to Easter.
Certain days are excluded from Lent, and many Christian denominations observe the period in different ways. Here is everything you need to know about Lent – from the meaning behind it to the traditions that many worshippers follow.
Lent takes place every year in the 40 days leading up to Easter, and is treated as a period of reflection and a time for fasting from food and festivities.
It symbolizes the days which lead up to Jesus’ crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, when Christ spent 40 days and nights alone in the Judaean Desert being tempted by Satan.
When does Lent start?
This year it begins on March 1.
The date varies from year to year, starting in either late February or early March.
However, for Eastern Orthodox churches it begins on Clean Monday (February 27 this year), two days before Western churches.
When does Lent end?
There’s no easy answer to this.
For Western churches the 40-day period of Lent ends on Holy Saturday (April 15), the day before Easter.
But the liturgical season of Lent ends two days earlier on Holy Thursday (April 13).
For Eastern churches it ends on April 7, the Friday before Palm Sunday.
What days are excluded from Lent?
Lent lasts 46 days, but Sundays are not included in the overall count.
That means it is observed for 40 days in the run-up to Easter, and is often a time when instead of fasting people will give up certain food and drink such as chocolate and alcohol.
The six Sundays are not counted because each one is seen as a “mini-Easter” celebrating Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
What do people give up for Lent?
Lent is traditionally marked with fasting, abstinence and prayer.
Most believers tend to give up something until Lent ends to “purify” their bodies.
For children it could be something such as chocolate, sweets, television or certain toys, while adults tend to give up things such as alcohol, coffee or smoking.
Some households may give up meat, eggs and dairy products.
Many believers use the time to volunteer at a charity or donate money to a good cause.
by Guest | Mar 6, 2017 | Being Well
By Heather White, MS, Community Health Improvement Coordinator
Columbia-Pacific Coordinated Care Organization
When I first moved to Tillamook County the first place I looked to plug in was a local church. I’ve done this everywhere I’ve lived, as my parents did when the Navy would move us. They later explained why it was so important: being in a faith community gives a sense of belonging that is hard to build elsewhere. What they didn’t know at the time is that they were not only giving me somewhere to belong, they were giving me access to a longer, healthier life.
Even if you aren’t a person of faith, there is a wealth of research surrounding the connection between faith and long life that can be practiced in or outside a church. In the Blue Zones’ initial studies, 258 of 263 people over the age 100 around the world belonged to a faith, and the effect on their physical and mental health was the same no matter the religion or denomination. Here are some of the common principles that experts point to for explanation:
Purpose. Knowing your purpose has an immense effect on mental wellbeing. People of faith tend to be driven by loving and serving God and mankind, striving to be good, and so on. It can be helping people, raising a healthy family, leaving the world better than they found it. Knowing your purpose gives perspective to life’s ups and downs and provides direction, building resilience against trauma.
Meditation and Prayer. Coping with stress can come in many shapes, but taking an opportunity to purposefully “down shift” from the day on a regular basis reduces the effect of stress on the mind, body, and heart. It can even reduce inflammation! When, how, or who with doesn’t seem to make a difference, as long as you are taking a mental pause from the daily grind.
Community. Being around healthy people makes you healthier, too. This simple principle matters as much in faith and mental health as anything else. That does not mean we avoid being in relationship with people who are struggling. The more we can come as community members to a place where we can be together and sharing in our purposes regardless of what we struggle with, the more we share and increase the benefit. People in a church can disagree on theology or politics and still reap the benefits of community. Even better if that church or group regularly comes together in faith and then goes out to serve the broader community together. Outside the church this can be a class, a volunteer group, or like-minded individuals who meet regularly.
Whether Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Wiccan, Agnostic, or Atheist—the benefits of belonging to something greater than yourself are undeniable and key to living a long, resilient life. Do you incorporate these principles into your life? If not, it’s never too late to start! And if you’d like more information, visit tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org and join the Year of Wellness. Peace be with you and Namaste!
by Guest | Mar 6, 2017 | Being Well
By Heather White, MS, Community Health Improvement Coordinator
Columbia-Pacific Coordinated Care Organization
When I first moved to Tillamook County the first place I looked to plug in was a local church. I’ve done this everywhere I’ve lived, as my parents did when the Navy would move us. They later explained why it was so important: being in a faith community gives a sense of belonging that is hard to build elsewhere. What they didn’t know at the time is that they were not only giving me somewhere to belong, they were giving me access to a longer, healthier life.
Even if you aren’t a person of faith, there is a wealth of research surrounding the connection between faith and long life that can be practiced in or outside a church. In the Blue Zones’ initial studies, 258 of 263 people over the age 100 around the world belonged to a faith, and the effect on their physical and mental health was the same no matter the religion or denomination. Here are some of the common principles that experts point to for explanation:
Purpose. Knowing your purpose has an immense effect on mental wellbeing. People of faith tend to be driven by loving and serving God and mankind, striving to be good, and so on. It can be helping people, raising a healthy family, leaving the world better than they found it. Knowing your purpose gives perspective to life’s ups and downs and provides direction, building resilience against trauma.
Meditation and Prayer. Coping with stress can come in many shapes, but taking an opportunity to purposefully “down shift” from the day on a regular basis reduces the effect of stress on the mind, body, and heart. It can even reduce inflammation! When, how, or who with doesn’t seem to make a difference, as long as you are taking a mental pause from the daily grind.
Community. Being around healthy people makes you healthier, too. This simple principle matters as much in faith and mental health as anything else. That does not mean we avoid being in relationship with people who are struggling. The more we can come as community members to a place where we can be together and sharing in our purposes regardless of what we struggle with, the more we share and increase the benefit. People in a church can disagree on theology or politics and still reap the benefits of community. Even better if that church or group regularly comes together in faith and then goes out to serve the broader community together. Outside the church this can be a class, a volunteer group, or like-minded individuals who meet regularly.
Whether Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Wiccan, Agnostic, or Atheist—the benefits of belonging to something greater than yourself are undeniable and key to living a long, resilient life. Do you incorporate these principles into your life? If not, it’s never too late to start! And if you’d like more information, visit tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org and join the Year of Wellness. Peace be with you and Namaste!
by Guest | Feb 9, 2017 | Being Well
By Heather White, Community Health Improvement Coordinator, Columbia Pacific CCO
Vaccine Exclusion Day across the Tillamook County is February 15th. Are you and your child ready? If you are not sure, you can find age-based requirements on tillamookcountyhealthmatters.org or ask your child’s primary care provider. The basic requirements common to all school-age children in Oregon over 18 months include being up to date on vaccines for:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis or whooping cough
- Polio
- Varicella or chickenpox
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
- Hepatitis A and B
- Hib, a bacterial infection called Haemophilus influenzae type B. This requirement is for children under 5 years of age.
If you do not know if your children are up to date, please call your child’s primary care provider to get your Certificate of Immunization Status or to schedule an appointment for the your child needs. There are other recommended vaccines as well, listed here.
Vaccines can be a touchy topic for a lot of parents and providers alike. There are a lot of conflicting and scary things that get thrown out about vaccines, and it can be hard to know what is right. So here are some important facts about vaccines that might help ease the situation, based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WIC Works, and publichealth.org:
Truth #1. Vaccine appointments don’t have to be upsetting for your child or for you. There are many suggestions out there for how to ease yours and your child’s anxieties about vaccine visits, but the most important piece of advice is to do what works for your child that allows for the vaccines to happen. If they find them painful, give them an age- and weight-based dose of ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If they are afraid of shots, they will rely on you to keep them calm. This can be hard-no one likes when their child is uncomfortable! If you are afraid, they will be more so. Have a mental plan on ways to distract or inform them: let them bring their favorite toy if it will soothe them, don’t come too early if sitting in the waiting room makes them nervous, talk calmly to them about what the doctor or nurse is doing and why it’s important, or whatever will help your child most.
Truth #2. Vaccines don’t cause autism, or any other chronic condition. The article which first claimed a link between vaccines and autism was not only retracted and debunked due to serious financial conflicts of interest and violations of ethics and procedures. The true causes of autism remain a topic of research, but several studies have now found that autism develops before a baby is born or receives vaccinations. Repeated studies over the decades have yet to find a single chronic condition that is caused by vaccines. We can have allergies to components of vaccines.
Truth #3. Your child’s immune system can handle all of the vaccines in the number of visits the CDC recommends. Our bodies are amazing! Based on the number of disease-fighting cells called antibodies in the blood, your child could theoretically have 10,000 vaccines at one time and not overwhelm their immune system. This includes infants! The schedule designed by the CDC is based on a lot of research on how to get as many kids safely immune to illnesses as possible. The obvious exception to this is children whose immune systems are compromised by cancer or other specific illnesses. Sometimes after vaccines your child may show symptoms of being ill: a low-grade fever, discomfort, etc. This is because it is the vaccine working, by causing our immune systems to respond to it and then build immunity to the diseases. Not because of the disease itself.
Truth #4. Vaccines don’t contain unsafe toxins. The idea of something being a “toxin” is based more on how much a human body can tolerate before it makes someone sick. People tend to have concerns over chemicals like mercury or aluminum. There are chemical-specific amounts of either that would be considered toxic, but vaccines contain levels that are safe, and nowhere near toxic. In fact, some of the chemicals most touted as being harmful are actually naturally produced by our bodies or ingested from our foods safely at higher levels than exist in our vaccines.
Truth #5. Vaccines are far safer than “natural immunity.” Vaccines are developed to reduce our chances of dying from diseases. That’s why so many of the diseases prevented by vaccines are no longer common in this country. Yet in Oregon and other states where vaccination rates are lower there are many more outbreaks and deaths due to diseases like measles, whooping cough, chickenpox, and other illnesses. And all of those illnesses are far more deadly to groups of people that can’t be vaccinated such as infants, older adults, and children with compromised immune systems. For example, the risk of dying from an allergic reaction to the measles vaccine one-in-one million, but the risk of dying from the measles if you get the measles and have not vaccinated is 1 in 500. That’s a huge difference.
Truth #6. Community immunity is vital to protecting our children. Community immunity—also referred to as “herd immunity”—is when enough of a group of people are immunized that even those who can’t vaccinate are protected from the illness. The needed percentage of people for this to work is very high, but slightly different for each vaccin. In Oregon, we routinely fall far below those levels. This means that so many people are relying on so few other people to vaccinate that we are all at a higher risk of getting sick. Like many other things in life, our community is healthier when we do our part to protect our kids.
