​Mesothelioma Awareness Day is recognized on the 26th of September every year to help spread awareness about this lesser known cancer and its only known cause, asbestos exposure. This year marks the 17th anniversary of this day, and is an important time to shed light on how exposure to asbestos can lead to life-lasting health consequences.

In times of a global pandemic, it is difficult for residential and commercial property owners to know exactly what to do to keep their buildings and landscape safe and healthy. Each property owner should have a plan in place which covers some basics such as landscaping, contracted services and common areas as well as cleaning and repairs, so everyone is on the same page.

67% of employees use their personal devices at work, and with an increasing number of people working remotely, this number is sure to rise. When we think of a business’ health and safety practices, we often think of things employers can do to protect the physical health of staff, but in an increasingly online world, it’s vital that employers also consider the safety of their workforce online. This means that employees need to be trained in safe internet usage, and while many people may think they know how to navigate the internet safely, it’s often the ‘obvious’ things that get overlooked and leave them the most vulnerable to cybercrime.

COVID-19 was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. With this global health crisis announcement, it became pretty clear that the coronavirus was going to affect the societies and economies of the world like never before. The United Nation’s Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response clearly warned how the pandemic’s impact would vary from one country to another.

August 20, 2020 
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By: Lisa Desai 
Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. We will be posting a new column on the third Thursday of each month. To submit your own question for the experts click here. 


I'm worried about my kids learning virtually this school year and how isolating it will be. How can I tell if they're struggling emotionally?
If your child is showing concerning signs, it’s important to acknowledge it and show your child that you care. Some general warning signs to look out for are:

• Major changes in your child’s behavior
• Hearing them sound really down or helpless
• Listening for pattern of talking about hopelessness
• If they’re sleeping markedly more or less
• Increased anger, irritation, or agitation
• Withdrawal from family or friends

In cases where children and teens are struggling with ongoing and severe depression, they may express thoughts of suicide. Always take any mention of suicide seriously and seek a professional evaluation. 
Suicide thoughts and feelings can arise when feelings of helpless and hopeless persist and/or intensify. While supportive responses from family members and friends can help get through these times, always seek out professional advice to help your child and yourself.


What should I do if I'm concerned that my child is depressed? 
If your child is showing signs of depression, it’s important to take some time to start a conversation about mental health. This can be tough for families as often in our society, mental health isn’t discussed openly like physical health.
Feelings of depression or anxiety are often hidden because youth are confused, embarrassed, or ashamed. You can help protect your child and their friends by talking to them. Here are a few recommendations:

• Ask open-ended questions. Let your child steer the conversation to what they want to talk about.
• Don’t rush to solve their problems. Instead, ask what they think would help a situation.
• Be available and make sure your child knows it. “I'm here if you want to talk” may help.
• Try talking on a walk. The relaxed atmosphere makes it easier for some kids to open up.
  
  

We also always recommend using the ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) method:

• Acknowledging any concerns your child may have about their own emotions or a friend’s reactions.
• Care: Show them how much you care by listening and taking their concerns seriously.
• Tell: Make yourself available as a safe person they can tell about big problems.
  
  

And importantly, if you’re having concerns about your child, reach out to their pediatrician or school counselor. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-237-TALK (8255) or Text ‘ACT’ to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 for free, 24/7 support. If you are worried about your child’s safety right now, call 911.

As our bodies and organs get older, they undergo a number of changes, which can impact our daily life and overall wellbeing. Aging is classified by the gradual decline of cellular function and structural changes that occur in the organ systems, including the kidneys, and as we get older, it becomes more and more important to understand how our bodies work so we can keep them strong and healthy for years to come.

By Jessica Larson, SolopreneurJournal.com​
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Although working from home used to seem like a dream for many, a quarantine that requires people to be stuck at home for months on end might seem more like a nightmare. No matter how much you love being at home (or love your work), staying in the same setting for days at a time without interacting with others can be mentally draining, to say the least. Add to that confinement and repetition another half-dozen or so stressors, and you’ve got a recipe for work-from-home burnout. Here’s a closer look at how being in quarantine can affect your mental health, and what you can do to avoid burnout.

​July 16, 2020
​By: Lisa Desai 

Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. We will be posting a new column on the third Thursday of each month. To submit your own question for the experts click here. 

Substance and alcohol misuse have been longstanding problems - especially in construction and related industries. A 2009 Rand corporation review found that workers who drink alcohol at least three times per week are more likely to experience onsite accidents. We know that during COVID19, the rates of overdose have increased on a monthly basis since March (Washington Post, July 2020).