Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter: MAY EDITION

Conversaciones de Salud E-Newsletter

...serving the Hispanic/Latinx/Latine/Latino/Afrodecendientes/IndigenousLatino and Asian-Latino communities.

VIVA M ocixé

5 DE MAYO

Celebrating Community Engagement

HENNEPIN COUNTY MAY EVENTS AND SERVICES PAGE 3 PAGES 4-7

CARMEN ROBLES’ LETTER PAGE 2

CONSEJOS PARA ADOLESCENTES: LA REALIDAD SOBRE LOS OPIOIDES PAGE 8

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

PAGE 9

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MINNESOTA PAGE 10

ESQUINA LATINA AND AFROLATINA! PAGE 11

5 de Mayo Fiesta: May Edition Celebrates Community Engagement

Dear Families, Supporters and caregivers,

I hope this finds you well and in good spirits as we welcome the beautiful month of May.

In our latest issue, we're thrilled to highlight our recent 5 de Mayo event, the 5th Annual Virtual Town Hall Conversation on Fentanyl, Opioids, and Narcan. It was heartening to see such diverse participation from the Latino, Native, and African American communities. Together, we shared valuable resources on prevention, treatment, and strategies for engaging youth and families in these crucial conversations.

As we delve into May, let's remember that it's Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a time to prioritize our well-being and support those around us who may be struggling. Let's continue to foster open dialogues and break the stigma surrounding mental health.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and engagement. Your participation in our events and your feedback mean the world to us. Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and opinions with us; your voice matters.

Thank you for being a part of our community.

Warm regards,

Carmen Robles

Director for

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Naloxone training: More than 18 sessions, virtual and in-person.

Diferent dates and locations, please check the button below for more information

Community connections: Boots on the Ground Virtual Conference

Sanctuary Lawn BBQ

Spring Community Fair

TCRP Spring Dance Party

Pillsbury United Community Event

TCRP Table Outreach

Recreation of Change CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

MEETINGS AND SERVICES

Harm reduction and syringe services (weekly): More than 10 locations available and different dates.

Medication and sharps disposal: Medication, please go to: Medicine disposal | Hennepin County.

Sharps disposal, please go to: Needles and Sharps | Hennepin County.

Treatment and recovery meetings (weekly): Weekly wellness meetings led by peer recovery coaches

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

SMART Recovery

Men’s Power Group

ROC Recovery

Grief & Trauma Probation and Parole Support GroupsCLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

5TH ANNUAL

5 DE MAYO

VIRTUAL TOWN HALL CONVERSATION ON FENTANYL, OPIOIDS AND NARCAN

In the spirit of unity and community, Conversaciones de Salud recently hosted the 5th Annual Virtual Town Hall Conversation on Fentanyl, Opioids, and Narcan in commemoration of Cinco de Mayo. This insightful event brought together Latino families, community leaders, and experts to address the critical issues surrounding substance use disorders and offer practical solutions for prevention and treatment.

The virtual town hall, held on May 3rd, served as a platform for open dialogue and education on the dangers of fentanyl and opioids, as well as the life-saving benefits of Narcan. Led by Carmen Robles and co-hosted by Rosa Balch, the event featured an array of distinguished speakers and panelists who shared their expertise and experiences.

The evening began with a poignant blessing from Pastor Ray Valenzuela, setting the tone for a conversation rooted in hope and resilience. Shirley Cain followed with a powerful land acknowledgment, honoring the Indigenous communities whose land we inhabit and recognizing the importance of cultural heritage in healing.

Carmen Robles Rosa S. Balch

Shirley Cain Pastor Ray Valenzuela

Paulina Lopez-Valencia, of Mexican descent and representing Carmen Robles and Associates LLC, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo, reminding us of the strength and courage exhibited by our ancestors in the face of adversity. She urged Latino families to draw upon this rich heritage as they confront the opioid crisis plaguing our communities.

PARENT’S CONVERSATION WITH EXPERTS

The battle of Puebla

The Battle of Puebla, celebrated on Cinco de Mayo, commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French forces on May 5, 1862. This historic event is a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Dr. Morales delivered a comprehensive overview of key insights during the event. He underscored the significance of prioritizing prevention over treatment, discussing an array of preventive strategies and treatment options available for combatting opioid misuse and addiction. Additionally, Dr. Morales spoke how seemingly innocent actions, like smoking cigarettes, can lead to Fentanyl consumption, highlighting the associated risks of addiction and overdose. He also provided practical guidelines for responding to overdoses, he said: “the importance of Suboxone which was mentioned as a way to treat opioid use disorder and prevent overdoses. It is very important to remember that once they need Narcan, it is often too late! We want to prevent them from getting to this stage. [...] Unfortunately, the minority groups do not have as much access to this life saving medication.”

Furthermore, Dr. Morales addressed the diverse forms of Fentanyl and its covert presence in substances like marijuana. Lastly, he stressed the important role of parental involvement in fostering open communication, supervision, and engagement to prevent substance abuse among youth.

In her presentation, Cynthia Munguia shared reflections gleaned from her personal triumph over addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness By recounting her own struggles, she spoke the obstacles individuals confront and underscored the paramount importance of seeking assistance Cynthia emphasized the mission of Minnesota Recovery Connection, and its commitment to providing tailored treatment that considers an individual's age, language, and unique circumstances, thus stressing the critical need for culturally sensitive care to facilitate effective support and rehabilitation. Moreover, she mentioned that anyone can undergo training and certification to administer Narcan and offer aid in the event of an opioid overdose, thereby highlighting the accessibility of resources and community involvement.

Lastly, Cynthia delivered a message of hope by affirming that recovery is possible, drawing from her personal journey and the endeavors of organizations like Minnesota Recovery Connection to affirm that individuals with addiction can find a pathway to recovery and lead enriching lives

Dr. Alfonso Morales MD

Cynthia Munguia, MPA, CPRS

Eric Ortiz

Eric Ortiz shared insights from the Journalism Youth Project, focussing on students ranging from grades 6 to 12. He underscored the significance of fostering leadership among children within the project, instilling in them a sense of accountability and ownership over their contributions.

Emphasizing the importance of providing constructive outlets for children, such as journalism, Eric highlighted its potential to channel their creativity and energy productively Moreover, he emphasized the importance of identifying and nurturing children's individual skills and interests within the project, creating a vibrant learning environment that empowers students to develop critical thinking, communication, and research skills essential for their future endeavors.

Clarence Jones Hue-Man Partnership

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of our Virtual Town Hall Conversation on Fentanyl, Opioids, and Narcan. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Clarence Jones, representing Hue-Man, for sponsoring this event through Hennepin County, and for their commitment to addressing the opioid crisis in our community.

We also want to thank our esteemed speakers, Dr Alfonso Morales from REVIVE MD, Cynthia Munguia from Minnesota Recovery Connection, and Eric Ortiz from Strong Mind, Strong Body, for their expertise, insights, and dedication to fighting against opioids. Your contributions have been invaluable in raising awareness and providing support to those in need.

Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Rosa Balch for facilitating the conversation with parents, and to Pastor Ray Valenzuela and Shirley Cain for their support in the blessing and land acknowledgment Your contributions helped create a meaningful and impactful discussion that will continue to resonate within our community.

Together, we are committed to addressing the challenges posed by opioids and working towards a healthier and safer future for all. Thank you for your support and dedication to this important cause.

RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY

PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND WELL-BEING

Dr Morales specializes in, Primary Care, Pain and Addiction

Revive MD helps clients improve their health with a range of services including medical weight loss, hormone replacement therapy, mental health counseling, IV therapy, regenerative medicine, nutrition, personal training, and chiropractic care. Their team of experts creates personalized plans to empower clients to reach their goals, restoring balance to their bodies and minds.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Main Clinic Address

821 Raymond Ave Suite #230 St Paul, MN 55114

Eden Prairie (Inside Los Campeones Gym) 12990 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Hudson, Wisconsin (Inside Los Campeones Gym) 1450 Swasey St. Hudson WI, 54016

Medication Questions: 952-688-6388 Fax: 651-647-1647

Email: Info@revivemdmsp.com

CYNTHIA MUNGUIA, MPA, CPRS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Minnesota Recovery Connection, a Recovery Community Organization (RCO), is governed by representatives from local recovery communities They respect all paths to recovery and focus on bridging gaps in care systems. Instead of providing treatment, their aim is to connect individuals with the necessary support and services for sustainable recovery from substance use disorder They achieve this through peer-to-peer recovery support, public education, and advocacy efforts.

TREATMENT YOUTH

Main Office for all locations: 651-644-6002

CONTACT INFORMATION

(612) 584-4158

info@minnesotarecovery.org

800 Transfer Rd., Ste. 31 Saint Paul, MN 55114 Mon-Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM

ORTIZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Recognizing the potential of our youth as future leaders, we prioritize programs that empower them to thrive Instead of viewing them as "at-risk," we see them as valuable contributors with talents and insights Our initiatives, ranging from social justice workshops to STEM enrichment and sports, are led by individuals from within the communities they serve We advocate for extracurricular activities like cultural events, civic engagement, student journalism, and athletics, believing they positively influence youth outcomes and foster their development

ERIC

He was shooting up heroin and meth on a daily basis just weeks ago. Now, with the help of his sister Maryrose, Ian is trying to get clean. Here are his first 21 days trying to get opioid free. CLICK HERE TO

CONSEJOS PARA ADOLESCENTES: LA REALIDAD SOBRE LOS OPIOIDES

This fact sheet for teens provides facts about opioids. It describes short- and long-term effects, lists signs of use, and helps dispel common myths. It also can be used by prevention professionals, educators, health care providers, and others who come in contact with teens on a regular basis.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE

ESPAÑOL

¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!

Haga clic aquí para obtener información sobre cómo acceder a todos los servicios en español.

Do you have concerns about the health, wellness, and well-being of yourself, your child, or someone you care about? If so, Screen4Success provides a 10-minute screener that will look for signs of elevated risk and help you find support to address any concerns.

ou're not alone the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.

El Poder Informativo

en Minnesota

The Battle Against Opioids

Hawthorne Neighborhood Council and Hue-Man Partnership joined Carmen Robles and Associates, LLC in the battle against the opioids crisis. The goal is to bring more awareness to North Minneapolis, through our Northside Urban Coalition initiative. Carmen states, we stand stronger in our fight against the opioids if we are together With these two groups expertise, passion, and community connections we will enhance our efforts, providing new avenues for awareness, education and prevention The opioids battle is not one we can win alone, we must all do our part to share compassion, love and understanding.

When Rafah falls…

“Death is more dignified than this,” a Palestinian waiting said Death is not a stranger to this land that destruction and fear own, Will Rafah endure the scourge of evil hearts?

The wait is a darkness that bleeds in all of us.

Doctors and nurses will gently open the zippers

Of a row of white plastic bags mumbling shocked:

“Do not to wake up the sleeping children, The horror will again kill them all”! The smell of blood does not move us to peace,

Nor the cry of mothers hugging corpses; It gazes at us from rows of white cocoons: Why no peace yet? Is this not enough?

Many have descended to a bottomless pit so dark they cannot see their blood-stained hands from an October seven and thirty hostages dreaming that the white doves will fly for all…

Where has humanity been left behind? When was kindness and remorse disowned?

We are what we feared we could: An insensitive, wanting, world at war. We are becoming the corpses of our ideals, The burned candles of our freedom dreams….

Miguel Fiol MD

Latina Latina Latina

A

quick moment of Puerto Rico Music History: “Aguanile”

The song “Aguanile" performed by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón A real party that expresses what a rumba is in Latin America However, an also important element is the lyrics of this song.

Click here to see more

The Uniqueness of Puerto Rico’s Bees

The bees in Puerto Rico are descended from Africanized bees, a different species from the American Honeybee. Africanized bees are highly productive and more robust in health than European bees. However, they are also usually aggressive. They chase intruders and have earned the nickname “killer bees.”

Click here to see more

Why is Afro Latin History Important for Salsa?

Afro Latin history is crucial in understanding salsa. From salsa’s origins in Cuban son to salsa clubs, Afro Latin history offers a look into how complex relationships between race, ethnicity, and class shape the history of this musical genre Afro Latinos, people whose race is Black and ethnicity is Hispanic or Latino, can use Afro Latin history to better understand their identity, migration story, and the societal issues in their communities. Come learn more about how Afro Latin history and salsa music tells all Americans stories.

Click here to see more

To Never Have Risked Our Lives: A Portfolio of Central American and Mexican Diaspora Writing

Mary Robles expresses gratitude to AGNI Magazine for featuring her poem, 'CoyoteGirl Bantu,' in issue 99: 'To Never Have Risked Our Lives: A Portfolio of Central American and Mexican Diaspora Writing ' She feels honored to be part of such a meaningful collection. Mary's work has appeared in Salt Hill Journal, AGNI, and Strange Horizons. She's from El Paso, Texas, studying poetry at Bowling Green State University and works as an assistant editor at Mid-American Review. Check out her poem in AGNI Magazine's printed version!

Click here to see more