Health and Wellness Issue 49

d-mars.com FREE

®

HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

BIOTECH | BUSINESS | CAREER | EDUCATION | HEALTHY LIFESTYLES | MEDICAL | MENTAL HEALTH | POLICY | RESEARCH | SPORTS MEDICINE

November 2023

|

Inspire, Inform & Educate

|

49th Edition

Addressing the Lack of Diversity in the Mental Health Workforce INSIDE

14

Texas High School Jamboree The Best of Thanksgiving Basketball

15

How Texas’ Strict Vaping Law Affects Students

20

16-17

Help Family And Friends Hear The Cheer This Holiday Season

14 | November 2023 HEALTH

Texas High School Jamboree The Best of Thanksgiving Basketball: Where will you be?

By Rick Nelson Nelson Brand Sports

his month D-MARS.com is teaming up with the Nelson Brand Sports organization to sponsor the Thanksgiving High School Basketball Jamboree, which kicks off with Texas High School Jamboree for Ladies, November 21,2023 at Jack Yates and the Boys Jamboree hosted at Episcopal High School November 24-25, 2023 for Boys.

The Texas High School Jamboree was created as a platform for student-athletes who wouldn’t necessarily get the opportunity to be seen by college coaches, get that chance to compete at a high level for college scholarships in front of the many college coaches that will be in attendance for a full three days of 67 top notch high school basketball playing at two High School locations. As President of Nelson Brand Sports, Rick Nelson’s mission is to provide a positive environment for academics and the game of basketball for young men and women. He recognized early on the value of using basketball as a tool to further one’s education

T

after having played point guard on scholarship for Texas College, winning two National College Championships and going on to receive his Bachelor and Master’s Degree from Prairie View A&M University and becoming a Certified Life Coach .

“In sports the principle of working as a team is essential to achieving championship success in life,” adds president and CEO of D-MARS.com, Keith J. Davis, Sr. “With this partnership between D-MARS.com, Nelson Brand LLC, Urban Social Lounge, Sportscaper and Boost Mobile. We are setting out to show the community that there are ways to achieve your goals in life whether it is through entrepreneurship or athletics. Strong team players make some of the best leaders.”

For more information or to get involved with Nelson Brand Sports, please email rick@nelsonbrandllc.com or visit www.nelsonbrandllc.com Rick Nelson

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

November 2023 | 15 HEALTH

HOW TEXAS’ STRICT VAPING LAW AFFECTS STUDENTS By d-mars.com News Provider

nder a recently enacted Texas law, students found in possession of vape devices at school will face consequences. House Bill 114, which came into effect on September 1, imposes stricter penalties for vaping while reducing penalties for students caught with THC.

U

Breaking down the key provisions of the law:

1. Students who possess or distribute electronic cigarettes, marijuana, or THC on school grounds, near school property, or at school events will be directed to their district’s Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).

2. Previously, students could be sent to county programs for vaping offenses and faced expulsion for THC-related violations.

The bill leaves the duration of students’ attendance at DAEPs unspecified, granting districts the authority to establish their own guidelines. In cases where a district’s program reaches full capacity, students may be assigned to in-school suspension.

Although it is not mandatory, districts have the option to incorporate drug and alcohol support programs into their disciplinary plans.

Regarding the matter, Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, expressed his perspective, stating, “I believe we should discourage the use of vape pens among kids, without exception. These young individuals are of an age where they can comprehend the repercussions.”

Thompson, the bill’s author, emphasized that its aim is to grant school districts greater flexibility in disciplining students caught with vaping devices.

Jennifer Steele, the Associate Director of Youth and Community Initiatives at the Texas School Safety Center, advised parents to initiate discussions with their children about vaping as early as possible, given that some students start encountering and using e-cigarettes as early as elementary school.

Steele reassured parents not to fear introducing the topic, as their children are likely already aware of it. “Don’t be scared that you’re introducing something they don’t already know about,” she said. “Because chances are, they do.”

Students, parents, and educators can find tobacco use prevention and education resources here. The “Say What” Program, through the Texas School Safety Center, provides youth-centered information about the dangers of tobacco products.

You can find valuable information here for students, parents, and educators seeking resources on tobacco use prevention and education. The “Say What” Program, offered through the Texas School Safety Center, offers youth-focused insights into the risks associated with tobacco products.

In terms of statistics, the National Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that in 2022, over 2.5 million middle and high school students in the U.S. reported using e-cigarettes. Among these students, more than one in four used e-cigarettes on a daily basis.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

16 | November 2023

Addresssing the Lac Mental Hea can relate to and trust may contribute to the barriers these underserved groups face in accessing care.

As a mental health care worker and social work graduate student, I have personally experienced the importance of having a counselor or therapist who understands one’s cultural nuances and daily experiences. In my own quest for help, I often found myself educating white therapists about my cultural identity. Similarly, during my time as a psychiatric nurse, I observed that many vulnerable patients rarely encountered mental health professionals who shared their cultural background, creating additional barriers to care.

This shortage of POC mental health professionals is a national issue, reflecting the broader problem of a lack of diversity in the field. As of 2019, approximately 40% of the U.S. population identified with a racial or ethnic group other than white, and these numbers are projected to grow. To address this shortage, federal policy initiatives should actively recruit students of color into the mental health workforce, while grants at the city and state levels can expand mental health services in communities of color.

By d-mars.com News Provider

espite the increasing diversity of our nation, the mental health workforce remains predominantly white. Reports from the American Psychological Association and the Bureau of Labor Statistics have revealed that a significant majority of psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors in the United States are white.

For people of color (POC), especially those seeking mental health support, this lack of diversity within the profession can be a significant challenge.

D

Finding a therapist or counselor who shares one’s racial or ethnic background can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. In the mental health field, where the concept of “white saviorism” is a concern, the consequences of this lack of diversity are often underestimated. This lack of diversity can result in inadequate support for the unique cultural needs and experiences of POC. While some argue that the racial or ethnic background of the mental health provider should not matter, this perspective can be shortsighted. A lack of providers who POC

Efforts should focus on creating job opportunities and recruiting students from communities with the greatest need for a representative mental health workforce. Federal funds can support students’ professional education through scholarships and loan forgiveness, as well as grants to institutions that promote students’ well-being. Grants can also be used to train diverse peer specialists, individuals with personal mental health experiences who provide support to others in need.

While ethnic matching alone is not always the most effective approach, it is crucial to create a mental health workforce that reflects the diversity of the population. By investing in a more representative mental health workforce, people of color can have a broader choice of practitioners, making mental health care more accessible and equitable for all.

Why Addressing Disparities Matters: Tackling disparities in health and healthcare is not just a matter of equity; it’s a vital step towards enhancing the overall health and economic well-being of the nation. Various underserved groups, especially people of color, face disproportionately higher rates of illness and mortality across a broad spectrum of health conditions, ultimately affecting

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

November 2023 | 17

ck of Diversity in the alth Workforce the nation’s collective health. Extensive research underscores the considerable costs associated with health disparities, encompassing inflated medical care expenses, reduced productivity, and additional economic losses due to premature deaths.

The urgency to address health disparities intensifies as the population grows increasingly diverse and income inequality continues to widen. Projections indicate that by 2050, people of color will make up more than half (52%) of the population, with the most significant growth occurring among individuals of Asian or Hispanic descent. This demographic shift mirrors evolving immigration patterns, a rising multiracial population, and adaptations in how race and ethnicity are measured by the federal Census Bureau.

Furthermore, income inequality within the United States has expanded over time. As of 2021, the wealthiest 20% of households claimed over half of the total household income, with earnings exceeding $149,132.

In stark contrast, the poorest 20% of households accounted for less than 3% of the total household income, with incomes of $28,007 or less. The top 5% of households boasted incomes of $286,305 or more.

Research indicates that the disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lower-paid occupations may have enduring consequences, further fueling long-term income inequality. Addressing disparities is not just a matter of fairness; it’s an imperative for a healthier, more equitable, and economically robust future.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18 | November 2023

Whatever happens in our community, we’re here, ready to serve.

Providing Level I trauma care at Ben Taub Hospital for people experiencing the worst day of their lives.

Reaching out to families struggling to find or afford healthy food.

Offering the gold standard in nursing at our Magnet®-recognized Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.

Treating everyone with respect, compassion and gratitude for giving us the opportunity to care for them, work with them, know them.

You may not know our name. And that’s okay.

YOU’LL KNOW US BY THE WORK WE DO.

HarrisHealth_Campaign_D-Mars-10x6.65.indd 1

9/1/23 1:39 PM

Harris County is Ground Zero for

DWI DEATHS

.

We want you to get home and be able to celebrate with your loved ones this season.

Don’t become a statistic.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

November 2023 | 19

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

20 | November 2023 HEALTH

to Reshape the Busin

By d-mars.com News Provider

ouston, the time has come to embark upon a journey of community support, economic vitality, and local appreciation! The City of Houston, through its Office of Business Opportunity, is set to unveil a game-changing initiative that will invigorate local commerce and uplift underserved neighborhoods. The H-Town Rewards Program, a six-month “Shop Local” initiative, is poised to transform the way Houstonians engage with their city and, in doing so, create thriving communities.

H

This innovative program harnesses the power of a mobile app, offering Houston-area residents a unique opportunity to earn valuable rewards while patronizing local businesses citywide.

It’s a win-win approach that fosters community cohesion and revitalizes economic growth, making the H-Town Rewards Program a beacon of hope for local commerce.

The program differentiates businesses into two categories: Participating and Redeeming. Participating businesses are located throughout Houston, providing users the platform to earn H-Town Rewards, referred to as H-Points. The beauty of this initiative lies in the symbiotic relationship it nurtures.

Redeeming businesses accept H-Points from their customers, creating an incentive for patrons to shop locally, all while receiving reimbursements from

the City of Houston, matching the value of these redemptions.

But there’s a twist that adds even more significance to this endeavor. The City of Houston has earmarked six targeted communities for the pilot phase of the H-Town Rewards Program, each chosen for its inclusion in Mayor Sylvester Turner’s transformative Complete Communities Initiative.

These selected neighborhoods, which include Acres Homes, Alief-Westwood, Fort Bend-Houston, Gulfton, Second Ward, and Kashmere Gardens, represent historically underserved areas within Houston. They offer a rich tapestry of local businesses, aligning seamlessly with the program’s core objectives.

Be proud to eat, shop and love Houston

WE ARE ON THE H-TOWN REWARDS APP Check out our business page on the H-Town Rewards app for available reward offers and much more.

Find out how you can get rewarded with H-Points for shopping locally. Each H-Point = $1 Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

November 2023 | 21

ARE SET ness Landscape Citywide The app is completely FREE as the City of Houston is funding H-Points.

App users can join reward offers, funded by the City, and earn H-Points for qualifying purchases at local participating businesses.

App users can redeem their H-Points at select local businesses, which are marked in the app with the letter “R.”

For businesses participating in the H-Town Rewards Program, benefits await: 1. An Engaging Marketing Tool: With the mobile app at their fingertips, businesses can reach a broader audience, increasing their visibility and brand recognition.

2. Attract More Customers: By showcasing their products or services through the app, businesses can attract new customers while also retaining the loyalty of their existing client base.

3. Exclusive Deals and Promotions: Businesses can offer exclusive deals, discounts, and promotions directly via the app, thereby enhancing their appeal to customers.

4. Engagement and Information: Keep customers engaged and informed by sharing updates, new offerings, and upcoming events, all facilitated by the mobile app.

The redemption value of each H-Point is $1, and all H-Points are funded by the City.

5. Community Contribution: By participating in the program, businesses become integral components of a thriving local network, contributing to the city’s overall growth while generating awareness about Houston’s culturally diverse neighborhoods.

H-Points appear in the user’s balance in the app after their payment at a business is confirmed.

To become part of this remarkable journey, businesses can apply as Participating or Redeeming enterprises. For more information or to initiate the application process, please visit www.houstontx.gov/obo/shop-local.html.

The H-Town Rewards Program is not merely an economic stimulus; it’s a catalyst for community-driven prosperity. The path to building complete, vibrant communities begins with you. Join us on this transformative journey and help make Houston’s neighborhoods even more exceptional.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication