IPS South Bay, Partnerships 4 Success, Youth in Action, and McAlister Institute held a forum on mental health and substance abuse, working to create a healthier, more resilient South Bay and border communities.
The four community groups held a South Bay Community Talks forum to foster open dialogue about substance misuse and its impacts on Sept. 20 at the Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center in National City.
IPS South Bay Senior Media Specialist Pual Levikow said that the event allowed adult and youth community members to share experiences and explore solutions.
“The meeting aimed to empower individuals and families by providing knowledge and strategies to prevent or reduce harm,” said Levikow in a press release. “Residents came together for a candid and collaborative discussion regarding substance misuse, particularly as an unhealthy coping mechanism. They learned misusing drugs and alcohol can significantly impact the well-being of individuals, families, and their communities.”
The forum featured guest speakers, interactive sessions, and discussions, providing attendees a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness between community and personal health, said Levikow. They also learned about positive coping mechanisms to help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges without substance use and misuse.
Lovanne Avina attended the event with her husband and teenage daughter, just a couple of weeks after her son died of a fentanyl overdose. She said the event would have been relevant in helping her son cope.
“I’m still kind of in shock from his death. I knew something was wrong,” Avina said. “I didn’t know how to help him. Now, we are way more proactive. He had substance use disorder and social anxiety. He was trying to self-medicate. He didn’t trust the mental health care system.”
Levikow said that the forum centered on social determinants of health, emphasizing the non-medical factors that influence healthy behaviors and outcomes, adding that events like the South Bay Community Talks forum provide a safe space where discussing these determinants can lead to a better understanding of personal wellness and substance use and misuse prevention.
“When communities provide equitable access to support and opportunity, the likelihood of experiencing positive health outcomes and longer lifespans increases,” he said.
Resources and services are available to assist with screening, treatment, and recovery for individuals with a substance use disorder on the It’s Up to Us website. The Access & Crisis line is available year-round, 24/7, at (888) 724-7240. South Region residents can contact IPS South Bay at www.ipssouthbay.org for details on how to get involved in their communities or participate in the upcoming Youth Resident Leadership Academy.
