Picatinny Arsenal Army Substance Abuse Program

09/16/2024

Good afternoon, everyone.

How are you feeling?

In life, just like in pickleball, sometimes the ball is in your court, and it’s your turn to make a difference! That’s why we’re excited to launch our Pickleball for Prevention campaign, centered around the Army’s Ask, Care, Es**rt (ACE) strategy for su***de prevention.

What’s Pickleball for Prevention?

We are inviting you to engage from today, September 16th to September 18th in a three-part ACE su***de prevention series to learn how to step up when someone needs help—just like in pickleball, where every serve counts. This is your chance to act and be one of the first 30 participants to receive a pickleball set for engaging with this year’s su***de prevention campaign .

Why the ACE Strategy Matters:

• Ask – Just like when you ask for the ball, knowing how to ask someone if they’re OK is the first step in saving a life.
• Care – Show support and stand by your teammates, just as you would in any team sport.
• Es**rt – Help your teammates to safety, ensuring they get the help they need—on and off the court.

How to Get Involved:

1. Serve Up Support: Part 1 – Learn how to recognize the signs and start the conversation.
2. Volley with Care: Part 2 – Find out how to show care and listen when it matters most.
3. Es**rt to Safety: Part 3 – Understand how to guide someone to the help they need and follow through with action.

Action Steps:

• Watch all three short virtual ACE recordings on su***de prevention
(USE THE QR CODE IN THE ATTACHED “PICKLEBALL FOR PREVENTION” PDF) TO ACCESS THESE SHORT VIRTUAL ACE RECORDINGS ON YOU TUBE).
• Answer three simple questions after each part of the series (Ask, Care, Es**rt) to prove you’ve learned the key concepts –
(PARTICIPANT QUESTIONS ARE IN THE ATTACHED “PICKLEBALL FOR PREVENTION” PDF)
• Be one of the first 30 participants to submit your answers and stop by the office to pick up your pickleball set
(PARTICIPANT PRIZE RECEIVERS WILL BE NOTIFIED ON SEPTEMBER 19th)

This is a limited-time offer, so don’t miss your chance to participate, learn, and take home a pickleball set! Together, we can serve up support, save lives, and strengthen our Picatinny community.

Fondly,

Aim & Kris

09/04/2024

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - “We cannot help you if you do not know who we are, or where we are located,” Amy Gopel said with conviction as she spoke to hu...

08/30/2024

https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2024/08/30/mike-the-situation-sorrentino-sobriety-addiction-morris-nj/74982157007/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3weCYSq1ANAhpdTXe3uVlAGmqRIyLsF87GBAW2z0TaRClTM4ssldIs9SY_aem_M6IRW9PulHAcuIFXVRkXSA

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino of "Jersey Shore" fame visited Picatinny Arsenal to discuss his recovery from addiction.

08/01/2024

As we move into a few crucial conversations over the next three months let’s take a moment and acknowledge that embracing hard conversations helps to prevent many behaviors that are considered high risk. We hope you will join us in our efforts to improve the stigma and make everyone feel safe in their day to day lives.

07/30/2024

06/14/2024

06/13/2024

Congratulations to our ASAP Program Manager, Amy Gopel!

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Amy Gopel, Picatinny Arsenal’s Army Substance Abuse Program Manager, and Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, was recently...

05/30/2024

Economic and financial uncertainty is associated with higher su***de rates as well as higher substance misuse disorder challenges. Educating the workforce on this important subject is just one of many things we do for prevention 💖.

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -

05/09/2024

Four week Picatinny Kindness Challenge:

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let's make a positive impact together! Join us in a simple yet profound mission: perform acts of kindness. 🌈✨

You might not see the burdens others carry, but your kindness could be the light that helps lighten their load. While kindness alone can't solve mental health challenges, it can create a safe space for someone to seek support when they need it most. Let's be the person others can turn to. Be kind, be there, make a difference.

04/01/2024

Often, the state of our surroundings can reflect the state of our minds. A messy room, a disorganized life, and feelings of depression are not just signs of personal struggle; they can also indicate a propensity for high-risk behaviors, especially in relation to alcohol consumption. Recognizing the link between our environment, our mental health, and our choices is crucial in addressing and mitigating these risks.

This month, we're focusing on educating and supporting individuals who may find themselves on the slippery slope of alcohol misuse disorder. The journey from occasionally overstepping boundaries to finding oneself struggling with alcohol can be quick and unexpected. If your life feels unmanageable, if making responsible choices seems more difficult than it should be, it's important to understand that these challenges often go hand in hand with a greater risk of substance misuse.

We're here to help you understand what alcohol misuse disorder is, exploring its signs, effects, and the underlying causes. It's essential to recognize the alternatives to drinking alcohol and the significant consequences of not managing alcohol use responsibly. Knowledge is power, and understanding your limits and when to say no can be life-changing.

Moreover, it's important to know that you're not alone. Various support networks, from professional counseling services to community support groups, are available to assist individuals facing challenges with high-risk behaviors. These resources can offer guidance, support, and strategies to manage and overcome these struggles.

Join us this month as we delve into these critical topics. Let's learn together how to recognize the signs, make informed decisions, and discover healthier coping mechanisms. Remember, taking the first step towards understanding and seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, we can navigate the challenges and work towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.