Community Health Teams Walk Three Saturdays in September By Jill Jesso-White on August 31, 2019 in Community Health News Fall Focus: Prevent Suicide and Child Abuse, Support Palliative Care Rutland – This fall, teams from Community Health are walking with friends, neighbors, families, organizations, businesses and supporters who care about the health and wellness of our community and, specifically to prevent suicide and child abuse and support palliative care. Teams from Community Health’s network of medical, dental and behavioral health practices will be shoulder to shoulder with walkers in Rutland on three Saturdays in September. The Walk Out of the Darkness Rutland on Saturday, September 14, is part of a nationwide effort by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to raise the awareness of suicide and efforts to prevent it. Their goal is to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by the year 2025. Community Health’s Behavioral Health Leader Chris Chadwick says his team, which will be walking on September 14th, has recently taken special training on suicide prevention and understands the power of community support. “The importance of walks like this is to shine light onto a darkness that impacts our patients, friends and family members whose lives have been impacted by suicide,” Chadwick said. “We want to show strength and unity for those who continue to feel alone.” Suicide prevention was one of the health issues identified in the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, created every three years by health care organizations in the Rutland region. The report recommended increased awareness and “community approach and education.” On Saturday, September 21, The Vermont Great 2.4.6.8k is a walk or run event where team Community Health will be racing and raising funds for the palliative care program at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Palliative care improves the quality of life for individuals with serious or life-threatening illnesses and supports the families of these individuals. The race begins at 10:30 a.m. on Center St. in Rutland. A team from Community Health will also be joining the 2019 Walk for Children Rutland on Saturday, September 28th from 10am-2pm. The 2019 Walk For Children, taking place in Rutland and Montpelier, says the walks are to unite and educate the community and “send the important message that there is something that everyone can do to help.” Prevent Child Abuse Vermont says, “You don’t have to be a parent to care for the future of Vermont’s children.” Join the Community Health walkers for the Walk Out of the Darkness Rutland , The Vermont Great 2.4.6.8k and 2019 Walk For Children, and spread the word. We’ll be looking for you on Saturdays in September Walk Out of the Darkness Rutland, Saturday, September 14, walk begins at 9:30am The Vermont Great 2.4.6.8k, Saturday September 21, race begins at 10:30am Walk for Children Rutland, Saturday, September 28, walk begins at 10am Community Health is the largest network of primary care, pediatric and dental services in Rutland and southern Addison Counties with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham, Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland and Community Health’s Express Care centers, open seven days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers. Behavioral health providers are available at all Community Health locations. The mission of the Community Health (Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region) is to improve the health and wellness of all people in the communities we serve by providing access to excellent medical and dental primary care regardless of any financial consideration.
