Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention
Prevention is the act of preventing. The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division’s goal is to prevent the occurrence, wherever possible, of mental illness, suicide, and substance abuse.
All people live within a larger environment that includes the influences of their own genetic and individual characteristics, and the influences of family, co-workers, fellow students, teachers, bosses, neighbors, friends, churches, clubs, agencies, services, stress levels, politicians, cultural traditions, institutions and economic systems, social and environmental policies.
Mental illness, suicide, and substance abuse arise out of single effects or of combinations of these influences and are the subjects of various prevention activities. Some influences are more direct, such as genetics or family, and some influences are more indirect, such as economic systems and social policies.
Recent trends that influence the models and choices we make in prevention are 1) a focus on evidence-based prevention activities, those based on solid theory validated by research, and those interventions supported by a body of knowledge and expert consensus, and 2) the necessity of outcome goals and measurements.
The Wyoming Department of Health – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division (Division) is now accepting Letters of Intent to apply for Tobacco Free Wyoming Communities (TFWC) grants for the Fiscal Year 2009 (July1, 2008 – June 30, 2009). Click here for more information.
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division is now accepting applications to provide Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention services in Laramie and Albany counties for the 2009 Fiscal Year. These services will be funded through the Prevention Block Grant. The applying agency will need to submit a Letter of Intent by March 28, 2008 to:
Jessi Westling
Prevention Block Grant Coordinator
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division
6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 220
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Fax: 307-777-5849
Include in the Letter of Intent: a statement of intention to submit a Prevention Block Grant application and identification of the applicant agency, the agency contact in reference to the application (name, title, phone, fax, and email), and the county to be served. Upon receipt of the Letter of Intent, an application and guidance document will be emailed to the agency contact. If you have any questions, please contact Jessi Westling at 307-777-3357 or jessi.westling@health.wyo.gov.
Prevention Contact List
The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division has put together a Prevention Contact List. This list contains contact information for each of the prevention providers for the following grants: Tobacco-Free Wyoming Communities, Prevention Framework, Prevention Block Grant, and Meth Initiative. The list is organized in alphabetical order by county and grant. Click here to view this contact list.
Suicide Prevention The State of Wyoming Suicide Prevention Program provides an array of services in the prevention of suicidal behaviors across the lifespan.
Prevention Framework The overall goals of the Prevention Framework project are to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of alcohol misuse, reduce alcohol-related problems in communities, and build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the county level.
Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant The SAPT Block Grant program goal is to support substance abuse prevention and treatment programs at the State and local levels. While the SAPT Block Grant provides Federal support to addiction prevention and treatment services nationally, it empowers States to design solutions to specific addiction problems that are experienced locally.
The Wyoming statewide Through With Chew Program creates awareness about the economic and health-related impact of smokeless tobacco products. Focusing on policy change and promotion of cessation for spit tobacco users, this program paves the way for a tobacco-free Wyoming. The quarterly newsletter provides information about events and achievements related to spit tobacco issues in Wyoming and other states. Click here for the latest version of the Newsletter.
Data & Reports: Includes information on alcohol, tobacco, & other drugs.
Prevention Links
Prevention Staff