Latest news with #CandaceHarless
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Town hall to be held in Mercer County on food accessibility, network
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – The issue of food access is going to be addressed on Friday, May 16, 2025 as part of a Community Town Hall. Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities is partnering with Nourishing Networks for this workshop. Candace Harless is the chairperson for Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities. Judge rules that NIOSH programs must return She said they will be discussing food insecurities, food deserts, and the right to food. 'We have a big issue with food insecurities within Mercer County, and we have a lot of people addressing those issues. I tell people we feed people very well, especially those who are in need of extra support, but we do not really collaborate very well or have a food network as we should. So this gives us an opportunity to come together and talk about what works and what does not work,' said Harless. This workshop will last from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Mercer County 4-H Camp. Everyone is welcome and lunch will be provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Communities observe National Prevention Week
WEST VIRGINIA (WVNS) – West Virginia has historically been among the highest-ranking states in terms of substance use according to the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration. Each year, National Prevention Week aims to address many of the underlying factors that can lead to substance use issues. Prevention Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of substance misuse and mental health issues, and to collaborate on creating effective solutions and resources according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Chairperson for the Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities Candace Harless said that early prevention can affect everything from mental and physical health to social and financial status. 'Early prevention helps individuals live healthier lives, more stable lives and have better relationships, education and employment outcomes,' Harless told 59News. One crucial aspect of prevention comes in the form of connection and community involvement, factors that can decrease risk for substance use and mental health issues, according to Fayette County Health Department Prevention Coordinator, Katie Johnson. 'We know that boredom or lack of success are a couple of reasons that kids experiment with drugs,' she said. National Prevention Week will be observed from May 12 – May 17, offering a prime opportunity for folks to get involved and get educated on prevention. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
988 Lifeline decals to be added to Mercer County Sheriff's Office cruisers
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) — Decals will be placed on cruisers with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office to help raise awareness for mental health resources in the Mountain State. According to a press release, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline decals will be placed on all Mercer County Sheriff's Office's department cruisers as part of a partnership between Community Connections, the Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities, and the Mercer County Sheriff's Office. Concord University receives grant from Truist West Virginia Foundation By placing these decals on patrol vehicles, we're sending a clear message to the community: help is always available, and it's okay to reach out. We're proud to work with the Mercer County Sheriff's Department to promote this life-saving resource. Candace Harless | Chairperson of the Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities The press release stated that the addition of the decals during Mental Health Awareness Month in May will mark the first time a sheriff's office in the Mountain State added 988 decals to their cruisers, and is part of the Mercer County Coalition for Healthy Communities' goal to increase access and raise awareness to mental health support in the Mountain State. We see this daily – the mental health crisis that is going on and sometimes that flows over to our guys. So, this is a dual-purpose thing for us. If our guys can help those that are in need, then they see it is okay for them to ask for help as well Sheriff Alan Christian | Mercer County Sheriff's Department Sheriff Christian's department has been undergoing crisis intervention training, which will help them better communicate with those who are suffering from mental health issues. Sheriff Christian and Harless hope that other departments around the state will get on board to make everyone aware of 9-8-8's services. Three Mercer County Robotics teams headed to world championship in Dallas According to the press release, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which allows people to get into contact with trained crisis counselors by using a three digit number 24/7 especially for those dealing with suicidal, mental health, or substance use crises, was launched in July 2022. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
