Keeping Tabs Issue 5 | volume 1 University of Florida College of Pharmacy
TABLE OF CONTENTS
03
05
Take Back Control of Your Life-Mental Health in a Pandemic
APhA-ASP MRM
The World's Race for a Covid-19 Vaccine
08
11
12
Current and Future Directions in Alzheimer's Treatment
Covid-19 and Heart Health
HIV Therapy Update
14 The Increasing Role of Pharmacists in Improving Health Outcomes in the LGBTQ+ Community
07
16 2020
TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE- MENTAL HEALTH IN A PANDEMIC Written by: Lauren Hoggarth One thing we can all agree on is that 2020 did not go how we would have expected. As of March 2020, our lives have been turned upside down due to the pandemic caused by the virus we all know as COVID-19. Nine months later and our lives are still drastically different. We are now becoming accustomed to our “new normal�. Although many people have survived this pandemic and have been practicing social distancing, there are still people dealing with a different type of pandemic surrounding mental health. The time has come to help ourselves and others take back control of our mental health.
Support Staying connected with each other and having a strong support system is more important now than ever. Recognizing if you have a mental health problem is the first step in taking back control of the mind. However, emotional distress can look very different among individuals so it may go unnoticed without the help of friends. It may look like tiredness, burn out, isolation, or anxiety. With social distancing orders, our loved ones may be feeling lonely or scared. Taking time to check in on them helps to be a reminder that they have people who care. Technology is an amazing gift that we can utilize to stay connected from a safe distance.
Routine Close your eyes and take a few moments to reflect on how your life was a year ago. What did your typical daily routine look like? Now compare last year to this year. Change is not always bad; in fact, it shows how strong and resilient we are to not let COVID-19 ruin everything. Sacrifices in our normal routine had to be made in order to stay safe. Following COVID-19 protocols, we are more than likely spending an increased amount of time at home. Our homes have now become the same place we work, attend school, exercise, and eat. It has now become more difficult to separate these aspects of our lives and everything seems to run together in a blur. What were you doing a year ago that you can safely incorporate back into your life today? Even if modified, getting back into a healthy daily routine will help bring back a sense of normalcy and ease the mind.
Stress Relief Worry and fear during a pandemic can wreak havoc on the mind. Maybe it is fearing becoming sick, worrying about a loved one becoming sick, or stressing about the changes happening in our lives. Emotional distress and anxiety have become rampant in the community. Self-care is a useful tool that should be a regular part of life. The best part about self-care is it can look like whatever YOU want. You have the freedom to decide what provides relief. Self-care can look like exercise, meditation, a massage, or feeling confident in a new outfit. Find what works for you. Life is too short to spend it constantly worrying, so find your happiness
As 2020 comes to a close, we should look back on everything our country, our schools, and our loved ones have been through and celebrate how far we have come. Gratitude is a powerful quality to practice. Before starting your day, take two minutes to acknowledge something you are thankful for. It can change your mindset as you take on the rest of the day. Ready to take back control? It is time to defeat the pandemic of mental illness and come out stronger than before.
APHA-ASP MRM 2020
WRITTEN BY: CHRISTINE A. ELLIS The APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meetings are the only professional meetings in the United States designed exclusively for student pharmacists. The 2020 MRM took place virtually from November 2nd-6th, and was composed of a series of networking opportunities, informative speakers, and career showcases. The first day kicked off with a Networking Showcase where students had the opportunity to meet with their peers from around the country. It was interesting to learn how each pharmacy school operates under different curriculums. In contrast to UF’s “flipped classroom,” other schools, such as the University of Kansas, operate under the more traditional “learn-in-lecture” setting. The second night began with a second Networking Showcase. The highlight of the evening was an inspiring presentation on “Creating Your Digital Brand" by speaker Dr. Ashlee Klevens Hayes, PharmD, MHA. Dr. Hayes is the founder and CEO of RxAshlee, a company dedicated to “teaching healthcare professionals how to articulate their value, leverage their expertise and stand out in a competitive marketplace.” From students to board certified specialists, Dr. Hayes has helped thousands of individuals find success and career happiness in the competitive pharmacy world. For more information, including the RxAshlee blog, please visit www.rxashlee.com. The evening ended with an APhA-ASP National Standing Committee Interest Session. Officers from each of the five Committees (Awards, Communications, International, Member Engagement, and Policy) presented the responsibilities of a National officer, including election information. The APhA-ASP National Standing Committee officer elections took place towards the end of December on www.pharmacist.com. The last night of MRM began with a final Networking Showcase where students were able to begin promotions for a National or Regional officer
position. The highlight of the evening was a heartfelt presentation on the “Pharmacists Role in Substance Use Disorders� from Dr. Jake Nichols, PharmD, MBA. Dr. Nichols discussed his journey with substance abuse and addiction, including a personal testament regarding how he lost his license from forging prescriptions. After five years of sobriety, Dr. Nichols was able to regain his license and come out on top as the founder and CEO of Strategic Recovery Resources LLC, a company driven to help healthcare professionals overcome alcohol and drug addiction. The final night concluded with an APhA-ASP Regional Officer Interest Session in which students were able to learn the responsibilities of serving as a regional officer. Positions for each of the eight regions include Regional Delegate, Regional Member-at-Large and Midyear Regional Meeting Coordinator. Elections took place virtually from December 14th - 21st. The 2020 MRM ended with a two-night, Career Showcase where companies shared insights on what it takes to be successful in the pharmacy practice area. The Showcase featured residency programs from schools like Johns Hopkins and UNC Chapel Hill; and healthcare corporations such as Aurora Health, Ascension St. Vincent and Eli Lilly and Company. Challenges may have existed in transitioning to a virtual platform, but the 2020 Midyear Regional Meeting came out on top as being one of the most collaborative and successful meetings to date.
References 1. https://mrm.pharmacist.com/ (Photo: MRM Logo) 2. https://www.rxashlee.com/about (Photo: Dr. Ashlee Klevens Hayes, PharmD, MHA) 3. https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/aimages/2019/ppn0519_045a_28567_425.jpg (Photo: Dr. Jake Nichols, PharmD, MBA)
The World's Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine Written by: Dominic Santos
After months of deliberation, demanding deadlines, and a race to develop a vaccine, the FDA grants an early use authorization (EUA) for a COVID-19 vaccine — news that calls for celebration, given what has transpired for the greater part of 2020. The proposed indication and use for the vaccine under the EUA are “for active immunization for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in individuals 16 years of age and older”(1). The first vaccine rollout is a two-dose vaccination regimen, separated 21 days apart, targeting populations at higher risk for acquiring COVID-19, such as healthcare workers and those living in long-term care facilities. On December 10, 2020, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) — a panel of experts serving on an FDA advisory committee — held an open session discussing an EUA of the PfizerBioNTech’s BNT162b2 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older(2). One of the key topics of discussion from the session was whether the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks for use in individuals 16 years of age and older, to which the majority of the panel said “yes.” On the next day, the FDA granted PfizerBioNTech an EUA.
What do the results from the study show? In JAMA’s “COVID-19 Q&A Series, ”Dr. Fauci, director of the NIAID, discusses the public data of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine. The primary endpoint for 95% efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine is “based on the prevention of clinically recognizable (symptomatic) disease — not asymptomatic.” The secondary endpoint is “based on the protection against severe disease requiring hospital intervention, but it is unclear whether protecting against infection is a secondary endpoint”(3). Further, what is undetermined in the study and needs more elucidation is whether 1) the vaccine protects against infection (one can be infected, but not infective) and 2) if you are infected, does it render the viral load low enough for it to not be transmissible from person to person.
Additionally, it is conceivable to infer that one can be protected against clinically recognizable disease, however, still be infected, but the level of immune response that protects one from said clinically recognizable disease would be enough to lower the titer of the virus in the nasopharynx, such that one may not be infective. Although there is a bevy of complex questions that many scientists are trying to figure out, the vaccine has been well-received across a vast majority of the scientific community. Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine is not the only one on the horizon for rollout. On December 17, 2020, VRBPAC held an open session discussing an EUA of the Moderna, Inc., 1273 vaccine in individuals 18 years and older.(2) As to when people outside healthcare workers and the elderly may have the option to get vaccinated, Dr. Fauci predicts at the end of March and the beginning of April.
References: 1) https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download 2) https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee/2020-meetingmaterials-vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee 3) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/pages/covid-19-interviews
Current and Future Directions in Alzheimer's Treatment Written by: Hannah Davis Alzheimer’s Disease is a complex and progressive disease that can eventually lead to severe cognitive and memory impairment. This impairment can severely impact a patient’s quality of life, activities of daily living, and can place a huge, and sometimes impossible, burden on caregivers and family. In 2014, it was estimated that 5 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and that number is expected to triple by 2060 (1). AD is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States (1). Currently, treatment options focus on improving symptoms, not delaying disease progression. Numerous studies are currently ongoing to better understand the pathogenesis of disease progression and therapeutic targets, and the search for a disease-modifying treatment is becoming more critical as our population ages. Currently approved drug therapies for AD focus on symptomatic relief but have no impact on overall disease progression. It is believed that a cholinergic deficit exists in AD that contributes to the cognitive impairment seen (4). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, have been developed that can prevent the degradation of existing endogenous acetylcholine to help improve cognition and behavior in AD patients. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been linked with synaptic dysfunction which is suspected to be one of the main pathophysiologic mechanisms that contribute to AD (2). Memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe AD and has been found to provide symptomatic relief and improve quality of life (2). Researchers are hard at work to develop effective disease-modifying agents. There are numerous clinical trials currently ongoing many of which are targeting the elimination of amyloid-beta (Aβ), a peptide that is thought to be responsible for the accumulation of amyloid plaques often seen in AD. It is thought that the accumulation of Aβ might be the initiating factor for the pathogenesis of AD and its accumulation is thought to precede many of the effects of AD, including neurodegeneration and symptom onset, by years (5). It
is thought that targeting this may prevent the onset and pathogenesis of AD. Currently, there are many monoclonal antibodies and small molecules targeting Aβ in development and clinical trials. Tau proteins are another target of many currently developing therapies. When these proteins are misfolded, they can result in the neurofibrillary tangles often seen in autopsies of AD patients (5). In recent years, research has somewhat shifted to a heavier focus on tau because of the lack of efficacy that has been seen with many of the Aβ therapies in clinical trials. Most of the treatments currently being developed are immunotherapies and many have shown promise in preclinical studies (5). Most recently, there have been many developments surrounding Biogen’s experimental drug aducanumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds aggregated Aβ. In a phase 2 trial, aducanumab was shown to reduce amyloid plaques (6). However, in two later phase 3 efficacy trials, ENGAGE and EMERGE, there were concerns about conflicting outcomes in regards to clinical effects (6). Due to futility criteria being met, Biogen halted research in early 2019 (8,9). In October 2019, after further data analysis, Biogen announced their plans to submit a new drug application for FDA approval despite the conflicting outcomes, claiming that they still believe there to be some clinical benefit to patients. If approved, this will be the first drug approved for the treatment of AD in over 17 years and the first drug ever to slow the progression of AD (7). The so-called “drought” in new Alzheimer’s treatments can be discouraging, especially as our population ages. Still, the extent of research that is being done in the areas of disease pathogenesis, genetics, and viable treatment options is promising and gives hope that we might one day have an effective and safe treatment for this devastating disease.
Hannah and her grandmother, Agress, who lived with symptomatic and progressive Alzheimer’s Disease for seven years before passing away in 2013. She is the reason Hannah has taken such an interest in Alzheimer’s research and treatments.
References 1. What is Alzheimer's Disease? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm. Published June 2, 2020. 2. Liu J, Chang L, Song Y, Li H, Wu Y. The Role of NMDA Receptors in Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Neurosci. 2019;13. doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00043 3. Cummings JL, Tong G, Ballard C. Treatment Combinations for Alzheimer’s Disease: Current and Future Pharmacotherapy Options. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2019;67(3):779-794. doi:10.3233/jad-180766 4. Mehta M, Adem A, Sabbagh M. New acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease. Int J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;2012:728983. doi:10.1155/2012/728983 5. Musiek ES, Schindler SE. Alzheimer disease: current concepts & future directions. Mo Med. 2013;110(5):395-400. 6. Schneider L. A resurrection of aducanumab for Alzheimer's disease. The Lancet Neurology. 2020;19(2):111-112. doi:10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30480-6 7. Budson A. A new Alzheimer's drug: From advisory panel to FDA - what's at stake here? Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-new-alzheimers-drug-from-advisory-panel-tofda-whats-at-stake-here-2020111221380. Published November 10, 2020. 8. 221AD302 Phase 3 Study of Aducanumab (BIIB037) in Early Alzheimer's Disease - Full Text View. 221AD302 Phase 3 Study of Aducanumab (BIIB037) in Early Alzheimer's Disease - Full Text View ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02484547. Published August 7, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. 9. 221AD301 Phase 3 Study of Aducanumab (BIIB037) in Early Alzheimer's Disease - Full Text View. 221AD301 Phase 3 Study of Aducanumab (BIIB037) in Early Alzheimer's Disease - Full Text View ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02477800. Published August 14, 2020. Accessed December 12, 2020.
COVID-19 and Heart Health Written by: Megan Miller
Without a doubt, 2020 has been a year that has presented everyone with unique challenges. Masks, quarantine, temperature scans, and limited interactions seem to be our new normal. With so much still remaining unclear surrounding the virus, many researchers are curious of the long term effects that this virus may have on our population. Researchers have recognized that COVID-19 can cause myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) which can lead to heart failure later in life. As time passes through this pandemic, it will become more clear if there is a correlation between COVID-19 and lasting cardiovascular problems. Dr. Mina Chung, a cardiologist performing research among many different COVID studies, pointed out that at this time it is difficult to distinguish if the exhaustion and minimal exertion level is due to a long-lasting cardiac problem or the lungs. The American Heart Association recommends that those recovering from COVID, monitor for the following symptoms: increasing shortness of breath with exertion, chest pain, swelling of the ankles, irregular heartbeat, not being able to lie flat without shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. These symptoms should prompt the patient to contact their cardiologist. The American Heart Association also presents an interesting viewpoint about how the pandemic has affected peoples view on the safety of a hospital. They present 5 reasons why going to a hospital if experiencing any heart or stroke symptoms is the safest option: 1. Hospitals are taking full precautions to sanitize and keep infected patients separated. 2. Calling 911 immediately presents the best chance of survival. 3. Emergency room workers are trained in disaster readiness and are equipped to handle the complexity that a pandemic presents with. 4. Heart disease and stroke are the top two killers worldwide 5. It is important to get the help needed in a timely manner, as minutes can make a huge difference when it comes to the patients outcomes. Remember to stay safe, wear your masks, and wash your hands!
References: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/09/03/what-covid-19-is-doing-to-the-heart-even-after-recovery https://www.heart.org/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-resources/5-reasons-hospitals-are-safe-for-heart-strokeemergencies-even-in-the-pandemic
Human Immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) Therapy Update Written by: Irissel Rodriguez
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. As a result, the body’s ability to fight other infections is compromised making the body more vulnerable to other diseases and opportunistic infections. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection. At this point the body’s immune system is damaged as a result of the disease. Most people who are living with HIV do not have AIDS. For those that start proper treatment right after HIV diagnosis the development of AIDS is very low. (1) Even though there is no cure for HIV, there are multiple drugs on the market that can reduce the viral load and make it undetectable, those drugs are called, antiretroviral therapy or ART. On July 2020, the FDA approved a new antiretroviral therapy, Rukobia (Fostemsavir). This medication is a prodrug intended for those patients that have tried multiple HIV medications and no successful response was achieved or patients cannot successfully be treated with other therapies due to resistance, intolerance or safety. Temsavir, the active metabolite of fostemsavir, is a first-in-class attachment inhibitor that binds directly to the viral envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120), close
to the CD4+ binding site. This novel mechanism of action locks gp120 into a closed state that prohibits the conformational change necessary for initial interaction between the virus and the surface receptors on CD4 cells, thereby preventing attachment and subsequent entry into host T cells and other immune cells. BRIGHTE was a Phase 3, international, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of RUKOBIA. The medication was evaluated on 371 patients previously treated with retroviral who continued to have high levels of virus in their blood despite treatment (HIV-1 RNA count of â&#x2030;Ľ400 copies per milliliter). The primary end point was the mean change in the HIV-1 RNA level from day 1 through day 8 in the randomized cohort. At day 8, the mean decrease in the HIV-1 RNA level was 0.79 log10 copies per milliliter in the fostemsavir group and 0.17 log10 copies in the placebo group (P<0.001). After 24 weeks of Rukobia plus other antiretroviral drugs, 53 % of participants achieved HIV RNA suppression, where levels of HIV were low enough to be considered undetectable. After 96 weeks, 62 percent of participants continued to have HIV RNA suppression (HIV-1 RNA level, <40 copies per milliliter). This new drug offers a treatment alternative for those who had received multiple treatments for HIV-1 infections. In addition, the novel mechanism of action has no in vitro cross-resistance to the currently available class of antiretroviral drugs, has a favorable drug-drug interaction profile, and base on study results shows both immunologic and virologic responses. (3) References 1) How Is HIV Transmitted? (2019, June 24). HIV.Gov. https://www.hiv.gov/hivbasics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/how-is-hivtransmitted 2) Clinical Trial | RUKOBIA (fostemsavir) Official HCP Website. (2020). Rukobia (Fostemsavir). https://www.rukobiahcp.com/clinical-trial/ 3) Kozal, M., Aberg, J., Pialoux, G., Cahn, P., Thompson, et al. (2020). Fostemsavir in Adults with Multidrug-Resistant HIV-1 Infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(13), 1232â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1243. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1902493
The Increasing Role of Pharmacists in Improving Health Outcomes in the LGBTQ+ Community BY
JADE
Pharmacists
NANAN
HIV compared to heterosexual adults. Gay and bisexual males
can increase
comprise around 2% of the
quality of care
upwards of 69% of new cases
for the LGBTQ+
population, yet account for
of HIV(2). Discrimination and limited access lead to LGBTQ+ patients receiving less quality
Pharmacists have long been
healthcare and preventative
regarded as one of the most
treatment. Pre-exposure
trusted professionals in the
prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a highly
US(1). With an average of 9 out
effective drug therapy option
of 10 Americans living within
for patients who are at risk for
five miles of a pharmacy,
contracting HIV which can
pharmacists play an integral
decrease their risk of
role in public health, especially
developing the disease.
in communities with low access
Despite this effective
to healthcare. Their trustworthy
preventative treatment
rapport with patients and
measure being available, use
convenient placement within
among gay and bisexual men is
neighborhoods in addition to
less than 31%(3). Post-exposure
recent expansions in
prophylaxis, or PEP, is an
prescribing authority for
emergency medication that
pharmacists place them in an
can be taken within 72 hours
excellent position to improve
of exposure to HIV which can
health outcomes for LGBTQ+
prevent the disease from
patients, who are placed at
taking hold in the body(4).
higher risk for certain health
Recent expansions in
problems such as HIV, tobacco
pharmacist prescribing
usage, and opioid abuse.
authority for these HIV medications in Florida(5) and
According to the Center for
Oregon(6) would combat this
Disease Control and
disproportionate public health
Prevention, LGBTQ+ adults are
crisis by expanding access to
disproportionately affected by
these treatment options.
It has also been found that
pharmacist prescribing
LGBTQ+ patients are at a
authority for smoking cessation
higher risk of becoming
medications in several
dependent on opioids(7)
states(11). All 50 states allow
and/or tobacco products(8)
pharmacists to furnish
due to a plethora of causes
Naloxone, the life-saving
including the marginalization
opioid overdose reversal
and discrimination they can
agent(12).
face as sexual and gender minority groups. Compared to
Pharmacists are at the
non-LGBTQ+ young adults,
cornerstone of public health
LGBTQ+ young adults are
and can play a huge role in
nearly two times as likely to
improving health outcomes in
use tobacco, which is the
disparate communities,
leading cause for preventable
specifically LGBTQ+ patients.
deaths in the U.S.(9). LGBTQ+
The increasing expansions in
adults are also over two times
pharmacist prescribing and
as likely to have used or
practicing privileges can aid in
misused opioids compared to
combating health issues which
the general population of
disproportionately affect
adults(10). Pharmacists are
LGBTQ+ patients such as HIV,
ideally positioned in the
tobacco use, and opioid
community to reach all types
abuse. As the law continues to
of patients and are well-
evolve to allow pharmacists to
trained in counseling patients
practice at the top of their
on smoking cessation and safe
licenses, quality healthcare
medication use. Recent
will continue to become more
legislation has expanded
accessible.
REFERENCES 1.Frederick, J. (n.d.). By the numbers: How community pharmacists measure up. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://drugstorenews.com/pharmacy/numbers-how-community-pharmacists-measure 2.HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men. (2020, September 16). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/msm/index.html 3.PrEP Effectiveness. (2020, November 03). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep/prep-effectiveness.html 4.Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). (2020, October 15). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/pep/index.html 5.CS/HB 389 2020 Legislature - Florida Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/389/BillText/er/PDF 6.Oregon Secretary of State. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=3968 7.Girouard, M. (2018, June). Addressing Opioid Use Disorder among LGBTQ Populations. Retrieved December 10, 2020, from https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/OpioidUseAmongLGBTQPopulations.pdf 8.Products, C. (n.d.). Tobacco Use in the LGBT Community: A Public Health Issue. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-information/tobacco-use-lgbt-community-public-health-issue 9.CDC National Health Report Highlights. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/healthreport/publications/compendium.pdf 10.National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, August 25). Substance Use and SUDs in LGBTQ*Populations. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/substance-use-suds-in-lgbtq-populations 11.Pharmacist Prescribing: Tobacco Cessation Aids. (2020, July 10). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://naspa.us/resource/tobacco-cessation/ 12.National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, October 09). Opioid Overdose Reversal with Naloxone (Narcan, Evzio). Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-reversal-naloxonenarcan-evzio
2020 2020 has been a difficult year for all of us and has
WRITTEN BY:
JUSTIN STA. ANA AND CHRISTI REINMAN
been a lot to process with everything that has happened in the past year; the COVID-19 pandemic, school, work, family, elections, and most importantly: murder hornets. Although it has been a rough year, we all made it and have grown in ways we never thought we could. Operation Mental Health would like to take this time to reflect.
HOW DID YOU GROW THIS YEAR? Your immediate feeling is to think that 2020 was a complete write-off; but think about where you were in life each month of this past year. How did you grow? Did you discover a good read? Did you learn how to bake? Did you spend more time outside? Did you become a plant parent? Pick up a new hobby? Or did you simply wake up every morning and took each day one at a time? Ultimately, if you’ve done any of those things, you’ve grown. You’ve found different ways to focus your energy and continued to thrive when so much around you was changing and uncertain.
WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? Research has proven that starting your day off with some gratitude will increase your productivity, mood, physical health and overall well-being. What are some of the things you are grateful for? Was it the cup of coffee you had this morning? Was it your dog waking you up with a kiss? Was it being able to see the sunrise? Was it connecting with friends and family that you haven’t seen in a long time on a video call? Or was it simply just having good health? As you think of all the things you are grateful for, keep this in mind;
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of
life. It turns what we have into
enough, and more. It turns denial
into acceptance, chaos to order,
2021 - A FRESH START With recent news of vaccines being approved and employed, there is hope in
confusion to clarity. It can turn a
meal into a feast, a house into a
home, a stranger into
a friend.”
– Melody Beattie
the new year that things will go back to how they were prior to COVID-19. But it is important to note that certain things will not be the same and there are just some things we can’t change. And that is okay. We have learned new ways to focus our energy to the positive things in life. We became more aware of how precious life and time really is. And most importantly, we have grown and adapted to a new norm. As you look to 2021 and start to plan for the new year, don’t forget to lead with gratitude and to take some time to reflect. Despite the circumstances, where you are now is a product of choices and decisions you have made in the last year. What decisions are you going to make now that will determine how 2021 will turn out for you?
Thank You To our Writers: Hannah Davis, Christine A. Ellis, Lauren Hoggarth, Megan Miller, Jade Nanan, Christi Reinman, Irissel Rodriguez, Dominic Santos, Justin Sta.Ana To our Designers: Madison Conway, Brenda Echevarria, Gabriela Gonzalez, Moya Reid