HCP Career Pathways Chronicle - WINTER 2024 Newsletter

HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS

CAREER PATHWAYS CHRONICLES Winter 2024 Newsletter

HCP Summer 2023 Internship: Most innovative Solution Winners HCP Summer 2023 Interns worked hard to learn the concepts of prevention and health equity in order to prepare final presentations on

This issue: HCP Summer 2023 PAGE 01

community issues that they are passionate about. As usual, Health Career

The Wellness of Music

Pathways interns and mentors have gone above and beyond their typical

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summer routines to build both skills AND community!

Congratulations to the following interns who won awards for - Most Innovative Solutions: Sahare Rostami - UC Davis Cait Jenkyn - Georgetown University

Program Spotlight: S.P.I.R.I.T. PAGE 03 IG Posts/Awareness PAGE 04

Ashton Dinh - De Anza High School Kaela Robles - College Park High School Jessica Chan - UC Davis Ashley Moran - UC Davis Angel Karibo - UC Berkeley Briana Bazile - New York University

Domestic Violence Awareness PAGE 05 Opportunities, Resources, & Scholarships PAGE 06

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter and related articles do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Contra Costa Health.

The Wellness of Music In today's world, music surrounds us constantly, from radio pop to café jazz - even that person on the bus who hasn't discovered headphones yet. Whether you're plugged in or just enjoying the background beats, music has a profound impact on our well-being. Both listening to and playing music offer remarkable health benefits.

Recent studies reveal the remarkable advantages of engaging with music. Playing a musical instrument demands motor skills, multitasking, note memorization, and more, leading to enhanced brain function. This effect is particularly prominent in children learning to play instruments, as their brains adapt and form new connections.

Playing and reading music challenge multiple brain regions, including auditory, visual, and motor functions, resulting in a more resilient brain over time.

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”

KHALIL GIBRAN

If you're not musically inclined, don't fret! Simply listening to music can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, boost memory, and aid in sleep. All music genres have beneficial effects, but classical music and

Classical and Jazz not your thing? Here are some recommendations to help introduce you to the genres:

jazz are renowned for their therapeutic qualities and their ability to

Frederic Chopin ( Classical ) - Etude Op.10

enhance brain activity. Additionally, it's crucial to safeguard your ears

No.12 “Revolutionary Etude”

while listening to or playing music by avoiding high volumes that can

Joe Hisashi (Classical/Cinematic) - Nostalgia

cause damage. Beyond music, other forms of audio stimulation like

Jean Sibelius (Classical) - Sibelius Violin

white noise or nature sounds can also positively contribute to your

Concerto

overall wellness.

Miles Davis (Jazz) - Blue in Green Herbie Hancock (Jazz) - Watermelon Man

In conclusion, whether you're strumming a guitar or simply grooving

Nahre Sol (Jazz-Classical) - Alice in

to your favorite tunes, music enriches our lives and has a profound

Wonderland

impact on our overall well-being. So, go ahead, embrace the magic of music for a healthier and happier you!

CAREER PATHWAYS CHRONICLES

Check out the playlist for more! https://spoti.fi/3szNwXm

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Program Spotlight: S.P.I.R.I.T. The “Behavioral Health Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training” (SPIRIT) program is a 9-unit college course taught in collaboration with Contra Costa Behavioral Health and Contra Costa College.

The course teaches students how to develop core skills to empower themselves by attaining and maintaining recovery and resiliency through self-awareness and peer/family support while learning to assist others in doing the same. The completion of this class leads to a Certificate of Achievement and eligibility to work as a CCH community support worker.

WHO IS SUPPORTED? The SPIRIT program targets individuals meeting specific criteria, including those who self-identify as having experienced recovery from mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both.

This encompasses transition-age youth or young adults (aged 18-26), individuals with lived experiences as family members of adults facing mental health challenges or substance use disorders, and those who are parents or have parented a child dealing with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. The program is designed to provide support, resources, and assistance tailored to these diverse lived experiences within the defined categories.

KEITH HALL’S JOURNEY: Keith Hall's journey of recovery from PTSD, substance use, and psychosis, has led him from a dark road to a path of many opportunities. He states one reason he joined the SPIRIT program was to "get more information and be informed on the stigma behind mental health." Interacting with his SPIRIT classmates was a mutual learning experience for Keith; he says " I wanted to give back, to support people who went through the same experience with mental health that I went through. It was about learning and having empathy, not only for our classmates but for our future clients.

Graduating from SPIRIT was a new beginning for Keith. His first job after graduation was with Mental Health Consumer Concerns, where he facilitated diagnosis, arts and crafts, and other activity groups, eventually becoming coordinator at their Antioch site. He also worked with RI International, a global organization striving to maintain its leading role in mental health and substance use crisis service, as a recovery coach and eventually got a Community Support Worker position at Central Country Adult Mental Health Clinic in Concord.

The current application period is closed. If interested, visit the site below to learn more about the program and application process.

https://bit.ly/cchSPIRIT CAREER PATHWAYS CHRONICLES

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Awareness/ Insta Posts BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Did you know that detecting breast cancer early, way before it spreads, can boost the chances of survival? Checking for it early is super important because breast cancer can affect anyone. Some people are at a slightly higher risk, so think about early screening, and don't let anything stop you! If you're in California and need help, Contra Costa Health has a program called Medi-Cal Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. It offers free check-ups and treatment for folks who are low-income, don't have insurance, or with premiums, co-pays, and/or deductibles over $750. Share this with someone if you think they need to know!

Additional information at: dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/BCCTP.aspx cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm

DEPRESSION AWARENESS In October, we’re also shedding light on Depression Awareness. Did you know that over 700,000 people lose their battle with depression each year?

Shockingly, depression affects women about 50% more than men. What's even more startling is that symptoms of depression are often also experienced by young adults aged 18-29, a critical time in young adulthood. Your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health, as it influences every aspect of your life.

Take a step towards a brighter tomorrow by prioritizing depression screening. Your emotional health matters!

💛 The 'NAMI Contra Costa

Family Network' is dedicated to offering support, outreach, education, and advocacy for individuals living with mental illness and their families.

Additional information at: namica.org/illnesses/depression/

LGBTQ+ HISTORY MONTH

🏳️‍🌈 It's LGBTQ+ History Month this October! 🌈 Join us in

commemorating the remarkable accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals and the strides taken to embrace and appreciate this community's contributions. By recognizing LGBTQ+ history, we send a powerful message of acceptance, visibility, and appreciation, creating a more welcoming environment where everyone can be their authentic selves and contribute to the diversity and richness of our communities. We encourage you to delve deeper into LGBTQ+ history!

Additional information at: pflag.org/

CAREER PATHWAYS CHRONICLES

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Domestic Violence Awareness Join us as we acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month! National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (i.e. October), encourages those in abusive relationships to get help.

Domestic violence occurs when one partner exerts control over the other while dating, during marriage, or cohabitation. Domestic abuse involves injuring someone, such as a spouse, partner, or other family members within the domestic setting (Gluck, 2021).

20,000 calls are placed a day to domestic violence hotlines (NCADV, 2023).

32.9% of California women and 27.3% of California men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes (CCH, 2023).

One of the top leading causes of homelessness for women and children

TEEN RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE IS ALSO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE! 1 in 3 teenagers have experiences teenage domestic violence in a dating relationship

If you or you know someone who may be experiencing domestic violence, you can seek immediate assistance by calling STAND! crisis line: 1 (888)-215-5555.

Additional Resources can be found below: Contra Costa County’s Domestic Violence Unit - 1 (925) 957-2200 CalVCB - CA Victim Compensation Board - victims.ca.gov Bay Area Legal Aid - baylegal.org Stay Safe Contra Costa’s Restraining Orders sitecocofamilyjustice.org/gun-violence-and-dvro-home National Resource Center on Domestic Violence line - 1 (800) 537-2238 Directory of Domestic Violence Organizations in California cpedv.org/domestic-violence-organizations-california References Gluck, S. (2021, December 17). What Is Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse?, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2023, October 24 from https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/domestic-violence/what-is-domestic-violence-domestic-abuse

Learn more about the effects of Domestic Violence at

bit.ly/3QK342S

CAREER PATHWAYS CHRONICLES

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Opportunities, Resources, & Scholarships OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

NOW HIRING: COMMUNITY HEALTH AMBASSADOR Apply at: https://bit.ly/46wNNYY Full-Time Position

Application open until position is filled

NOW HIRING: CCH HEALTH EDUCATION SPECIALIST Apply at: https://bit.ly/48rT31V Full-Time Position

Application Deadline: Jan. 26, 2024

UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIPS

BLACKS AT MICROSOFT SCHOLARSHIP Apply at: https://bit.ly/3HiGs55 For African American high school

Application Deadline: March 13, 2024

and College Students

JULIUS QUENTIN JACKSON SCHOLARSHIP Apply at: bold.org/scholarships/julius-quentin-jackson-scholarship/ For Undergraduate Students

Application Deadline: April 12, 2024

BIG FUTURE SCHOLARSHIP Apply at: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships For College Students

Application Deadline: Every Month

Thank You For Reading!

STAY CONNECTED:

CONTRIBUTORS:

EMAIL: CareerPathways@cchealth.org

Eyana Rodgers

WEBSITE: https://cchealth.org/hcp/ FANPAGE: @HealthCareerPathwaysCC

CAREER PATHWAYS CHRONICLES

Claunesha Williams

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Shannon Ladner-Beasley Usean Redic