News

Published Dec 6, 2021

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) are partnering on the road to share messaging with Iowans about the importance of getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19.

Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That's dangerous and often tragic. That's why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - a record amount of prescription drugs.

Meet the thousands of Iowans experiencing a sign or symptom of a mental health, substance use or gambling disorder. Your friends and family want to support you in the same way you want to support them. There are resources like Your Life Iowa where you can find expert help. You do not have to be alone.

If you are concerned about a loved one that doesn’t quite seem themselves, our recommendation is to trust your instincts. Most of the time something is in fact wrong. That’s hard to think about.  The sooner you and your loved one address the problems, the better the chances for successful treatment and recovery.

Have you been getting help with for a problem with substance use, problem gambling, or a mental health disorder, but just cannot find an emotional footing to make progress? First, don’t be hard on yourself. That struggle is completely normal. Second, we suggest you and your support network step back and think bigger. Are there other critical factors in your life that you have not considered? Ongoing research indicates a strong correlation between substance use, gambling, and mental health disorders.

As a community, we need to stop pretending suicide is not common. Instead, let us start treating suicide and thoughts of suicide as a real, tangible part of many people’s lives. When communities start talking about it openly and honestly, we have a real shot at getting our friends and neighbors the support they need. 

You can see that something is off. Maybe it is your son, best friend, your partner. Whomever it is, you just know in your gut they are not themselves, something has changed. It is time to trust your gut.

Life is stressful. You may not be sleeping. Your life may sometimes feel out of sorts and you just cannot seem to connect with your support system. You are not alone. Many people are right where you are.

It only took one time. Maybe it was pressure from a friend, a desire to escape for just a few minutes, the curiosity of feeling a euphoric rush. Or, maybe you were working multiple jobs to make ends meet and just needed to stay awake. Now you are not sure what to do. We understand.

Vaping among teenagers continues to rise. Boasting fruity flavors and convenient and often easy to hide devices it is no wonder teenagers see the allure of these e-cigarettes. In fact, new data from the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey show that one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students reported using e-cigarettes. Learn five tips in talking with your kids about vaping.