The Oneida County Health Department coordinates and provides technical support for the Northwoods COPE (Community, Outreach, Prevention and Education) Coalition. Northwoods COPE’s mission is to serve and support all people affected by mental health and substance use through education, intervention and prevention. We partner and collaborate with our community to provide knowledge and meaningful resources to improve the well-being of all.
Their four main objectives are:
- Decrease suicide and depression
- Decrease alcohol and other drug use
- Increase access to substance use and mental health services
- Strengthen data around mental health and substance use
Additional Resources:
For additional information or to get involved, contact:
Jenny Chiamulera
715-369-6186
[email protected]
Mental Health
Car Show Raises Funds for Northwoods COPE Coalition
The Northwoods Classic Car Show Series, sponsored by Cathy’s Ice Cream and Marthaler Chevrolet, presented a $1,000 check to the Northwoods COPE (Community, Outreach, Prevention and Education) Coalition last week. Don Elfstrom organized the car show held at Colorama in St. Germain in September which raised $1000.
Don said it was important to give back to those who support mental health awareness. “My wife and I have lost loved ones to suicide and mental illness. When we learned about the suicide rate in our community, we wanted to help.”
Don presented the check to the Northwoods COPE Coalition this past week to Heidi Pritzl, Co-lead for the Mental Health, and Suicide prevention subcommittee for COPE & Clinical Therapist for Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health.
“Any initiative that we do, we spread it across three counties, so this is allowing us to fund those opportunities,” Heidi said. “Right now, our focus is on access to means. We are currently coordinating with our local pharmacies on a 988-sticker campaign and partnering with a veteran organization called Live Today Put It Away, in hopes to have a hard stop for somebody seeking help through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline before they consider taking their lives. We really appreciate this donation.”
The mission of Northwoods COPE (Community, Outreach, Prevention and Education) is to serve and support all people affected by mental health and substance use through education, intervention, and prevention. The tri-county coalition consists of representatives from Forest, Oneida, and Vilas counties. Some of the representatives at the table include all three health departments, all three VA offices to include Iron Mountain VA representative, Crandon High School, Lakeland Consortium, Northland Pines High School, Aspirus Koller Behavioral Health, Marshfield Clinic, Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA 9), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Human Service Center, and the Raise Your Voice Club, which consist of adolescents from our local high schools.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the coalition, please contact Jennifer Chiamulera at the Oneida Health Department at 715-369-6111 or [email protected].
Substance Use
Anyone can save a life by carrying naloxone/NARCAN®. It is safe and easy to give to reverse an opioid overdose. Get NARCAN® today. It’s available near you: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/safer-use.htm
There are simple ways to reduce the dangers of opioid use. Whether it is following tips for safer use, disposing of unused medications, or knowing how to respond to an overdose, it all makes a difference.
Learn more at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/index.htm
Fentanyl: You can’t feel it, see it, smell it, or taste it.
A tiny amount—as little as two grains of salt—is enough to kill someone. People all over Wisconsin are unknowingly taking drugs containing fentanyl and overdosing because the drugs look identical to what they are used to taking. Get the facts on fentanyl to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
For more information visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/facts.htm
Safe Use Tips to Reduce Substance Use Harms
While these tips won’t eliminate all dangers of opioids, they will lower your chances of an overdose, infection or harmful outcome. The purpose is to keep people who use opioids and other substance alive and well. Learn more here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/safer-use.htm
- Come up with an overdose plan. Talk to family members and friends about what they can do to help you in case of an overdose.
- Naloxone/NARCAN® saves lives. Naloxone/NARCAN® is the overdose reversal drug. Carry it with you. Let others know you have it. A trusted family member or friend can administer naloxone/NARCAN® to save your life. It can take more than one dose of naloxone/NARCAN® to reverse an overdose.
- It’s dangerous to take opioids when you are alone. If a trusted family member or friend is around and alert, they can look for the signs of an overdose and administer naloxone/NARCAN® should an overdose occur. If a trusted family member or friend is not available, call Never Use Alone.
- Mixing drugs is risky. Combining opioids with other drugs, including alcohol, puts you at greater risk for an overdose.
- Consider your physical health. People living with asthma or other breathing problems, kidney issues, liver issues, and HIV are at high risk for an overdose.
Real Talks – It takes all of us to help prevent and reduce substance use.
Connecting with people is a meaningful way we can reduce and prevent substance use. Conversation can be powerful. Having frequent, open and real talks about substance use can give someone the information they need to make healthy choices and find support. You can make a real difference. Start here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/real-talks/index.htm
Additional Resources:
Oneida County Community Assessment on Substance Use
Oneida County Health Department, in partnership with members of the COPE Coalition, recently completed a Community Substance Use Assessment in Oneida County. The below resources describe what the assessment helped us learn about our community. Thank you for taking the time to learn about this work. If you have any question or would like to get involved with local efforts, feel free to reach out the Jenny at 715-369-6186
