(3/5/2013)

SAMHSA’s Second Annual National Prevention Week, May 12-18, 2013

The second annual National Prevention Week will bring communities together through local events that focus on the prevention of substance abuse and the promotion of mental health. National Prevention Week 2013 will be held May 12 - 18, 2013, and this year’s theme – Your voice. Your choice. Make a difference. – recognizes that everyone’s choices matter, especially when it comes to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The choice to stay substance-free and promote mental health starts with each one of us.
 
Six of the seven days during National Prevention Week 2013 have a suggested theme that will be used to guide the focus of community events across the country:

• Sunday, May 12 – Prevention and Cessation of Tobacco Use (New for 2013!) 
• Monday, May 13 – Prevention of Underage Drinking
• Tuesday, May 14 – Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Use
• Wednesday, May 15 – Prevention of Alcohol Abuse
• Thursday, May 16 – Suicide Prevention
• Friday, May 17 – Promotion of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Well-Being

More information about this health observance and ways to get involved are available at the National Prevention Week 2013 website. This website also provides information on the history of National Prevention Week and its alignment with SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives, and community and programmatic resources organized around the six themes of National Prevention Week. The National Prevention Week 2013 Toolkit will also be available, via the website, in the coming weeks. This Toolkit provides ideas for community events, budget-saving tips, tools for event promotion (including templates for traditional and social media), fact sheets, and other resources.  Start planning to get involved now!

Keywords: SAMHSA, annual, national, prevention, week, second, may