The holiday season has ended, and we begin a new year filled with fresh hope and new resolutions to be happy and healthy. We’ve gathered some tips from our behavioral health and health care management team and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for managing your mental health.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know that women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are at higher risk of getting breast cancer?

Women who are 50 to 74 years old should have a mammogram every two years. Women who are 40 to 49 years old or 75 years old or older should talk to their doctor about when to start or how often to get a mammogram. The frequency of screening may depend upon underlying risk factors.

Falls should not be considered a “normal” part of aging. Yet each year one out of four older adults reports a fall. This about 36 million falls of which 8 million require medical attention for injuries ranging from bruises to fractured hips and head injuries. Approximately 32,000 older adults die each year from falls.

July marks National Fragile X Awareness Month and July 22 is National Fragile X Awareness Day. Day. Did you know that Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common causes of inherited intellectual disability? 

Individuals with FXS can benefit significantly from person-centered planning, care management, and access to comprehensive services and support. 

As we move into the summer season it is a great opportunity to talk about ways to have a healthy summer and keep our health and wellness at the forefront of what we do every day.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you to look after your health this summer!

Addressing mental health symptoms early is critically important for overall health. Mental health care IS health care!

Learn about the risk factors of High Blood Pressure (hypertension).

Learn about why getting a check-up every year is important.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. A lot of what you eat turns into sugar (glucose) and goes into your blood. The biggest health risks of diabetes are associated with high blood sugar, which can increase the likelihood of blood clots and impaired blood flow by making cells sticky and blood vessels stiff.  

Making deliberate food choices and scheduling any activities that get you moving are healthy measures to take if you diabetes.