Rolette County Wellness

09/03/2026

💬 Start the Conversation

Choose a calm time—not during an argument.

Try saying:

“I want to talk with you about alcohol. I’m not bringing this up because I think you’ve done something wrong. I care about you and want you to feel comfortable talking to me, even if something has happened or you’re unsure about a situation.”

Then ask open-ended questions:

“What do you hear kids your age saying about alcohol?”
“Have you ever been offered alcohol?”
“What would you do if someone at a party was drinking?”
“Do you ever feel pressured to drink?”
“Is there anything you’re worried about or want to ask me?”
❤️ Keep the Door Open

Listen more than you lecture. If your teen tells you something concerning, stay calm and thank them for being honest. Use the conversation as an opportunity to talk about safety, peer pressure, consequences, and your family’s expectations.

The goal isn't one perfect conversation. It's building enough trust that your teen will come to you when they need help.

Check out Parents Lead for wonderful resources on how to get the conversation going.

https://www.parentslead.org/topics/alcohol/communicating-with-child

https://predprod-behavioralhealth.x-shops.com/files/attachments/118/communicating-child-suspect-substance-use-email-exclusion.pdf

09/03/2026

🚫 Va**ng Is Targeting Our Kids — And It’s Hurting Them
Every parent, teacher, and community member needs to know this: va**ng companies are deliberately targeting youth, and the consequences are real.

Bright colors, candy flavors, sleek devices that look like tech gadgets — none of this is accidental. It’s engineered to make ni****ne feel harmless, fun, and “normal” to kids.

🎯 How V**es Target Youth
Candy & fruit flavors like “blue razz,” “cotton candy,” and “mango ice” are designed to mask harshness and hook first‑time users.

Youth‑oriented marketing on TikTok, Snapchat, and gaming platforms makes va**ng look trendy and risk‑free.

Sleek disposable devices resemble USB drives or high‑tech gadgets — easy to hide, easy to carry.

Illegal flavored imports flood stores and gas stations, often sold without age checks.

⚠️ The Damage Va**ng Does to Youth
Va**ng isn’t “just flavored air.” It’s a direct threat to developing bodies and minds.

🧠 Ni****ne rewires the adolescent brain
Harms areas responsible for attention, learning, mood, and impulse control

Creates addiction faster in teens than adults

Increases the likelihood of future cigarette use

🫁 Lung and heart risks
V**e aerosol contains formaldehyde, acrolein, toxic metals, and ultrafine particles

Menthol and “icy” flavors can trigger abnormal heart rhythms

THC vapes have been linked to severe lung injury outbreaks

😣 Mental health impact
Ni****ne withdrawal worsens anxiety, irritability, depression, and sleep problems

🦷 Oral health damage
Higher risks of gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, and slower healing

📢 Our Kids Deserve Better
Flavored vapes aren’t harmless. They’re designed to hook a new generation on ni****ne — and too many kids are paying the price.

If you’re a parent, educator, or community member, now is the time to talk openly with youth about va**ng. Awareness is protection.

If you want, I can help you craft a shorter version, a more emotional version, or a school‑focused version depending on where you plan to post it.

09/03/2026

September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating the simple test that saves thousands of lives every single year.

It’s a heel prick that checks for more than 30 serious but treatable health conditions. This screening gives babies the best chance at a healthy start by catching issues before symptoms even appear.

Learn more about newborn screening here: https://newbornscreening.hrsa.gov/

09/03/2026

Recovery happens together. Research shows meaningful human connection supports resilience, hope, and long-term recovery. Every connection can make a difference.

09/03/2026

Learn the warning signs of su***de for the people in your life, and for yourself. Changes in mood, sleep, or behavior; withdrawing from others; talking about having no reason to live: samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior/warning-signs
***dePrevention

09/03/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month. 💛 It’s a reminder that prevention starts with connection—and that a simple conversation can make a difference.
At home and at school, we can help young people feel seen, heard and supported. Parents Lead offers free tools to help families talk openly, build resilience and support mental well-being—long before a crisis happens.
👉 Learn more and find free resources at ParentsLead.org.

09/02/2026

Your mental health matters. Support is just a click away. 💚

Rolette County Public Health District is proud to connect our community with CredibleMind, a free online mental health and well-being resource designed to help you find trusted information, tools, assessments, videos, podcasts, and support for life’s challenges.

Whether you are dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, relationships, sleep concerns, substance use, or simply want to strengthen your overall well-being, CredibleMind gives you private, easy-to-access resources you can explore at your own pace.

09/02/2026