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Jay Bradley/LehighValleyNews.comDespite not being approved for human consumption, veterinary tranquilizers are infiltrating the illicit drug supply in Pennsylvania. Harm reduction specialists and health care professionals say these overdoses can't be approached solely with naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug. -
Makenzie Christman/LehighValleyNews.comXylazine, an animal-grade tranquilizer that's not approved for human use, has taken Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply by storm. Known on the streets as "tranq," it accounted for almost 1 in 4 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania by 2023. Last year in Lehigh County, it was a contributing cause of death in 20 of the 112 deadly overdoses, or 17.9 percent of cases.
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A mental health summit at St. Luke's hosted healthcare workers, legislators, and community members. The panel addressed issues treating mental health problems and how to work towards fixing the crisis. -
A suicide prevention bench was dedicated to Moravian University. Students lined up to participate in the unveiling.
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Lehigh County officials determined the proposed legislation had more than a dozen problems, making it too problematic to present to Allentown voters. The bill would have dispatched an EMT and mental health professional to certain calls and prohibited other first responders from going.
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Halloween and Christmas decorations are up early again this year. How are members of the community reacting?
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Decluttering a home can help decrease stress and anxiety, according a Lehigh Valley psychologist and a professional organizer. Both say back to school time is usually when they see people wanting more organization.
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A program that brings mindfulness to schools continues their efforts through summer. The Mindful Child Initiative serves more than 350 classrooms throughout the year and visits playgrounds throughout the summer.
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The virtual town hall will be streamed on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday. Lehigh Valley Stands Up is planning to host an in-person watch party.
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Lehigh County’s mental health line switched from Warmline to PeerLine in cost cutting move. A new company is answering calls after more than 2 decades.
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Dr. Amy Jibilian is LVHN's new chief wellness officer. She will oversee the development of programs that promote a healthy work environment as well as help physicians avoid burnout.
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The monthly Artists in Recovery Art Exhibit has seen a drop in attendance since the pandemic, but organizers hope to change that. The Bethlehem nonprofit offers mental health services.
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A plan to build a 144-bed behavioral health facility is in the works, as Lehigh Valley Health Network and United Health Services partner up. The goal is to address a growing need in the valley.
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Lehigh County will be funding free walk-in mental health services administered by KidsPeace.
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A mom is releasing a book hoping to give hope to other parents following her infant’s cancer journey in the Lehigh Valley. Shari Ann Almeida’s daughter Dakota was diagnosed with leukemia at 6-months-old.
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Doctors say Buffalo Bills' safety Damar Hamlin is awake. But for viewers, watching his collapse on live TV could be leaving a lasting impact. A local psychologist says collective trauma can make people anxious.
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Wolf said his request is “a critical step to allow the General Assembly to focus their work on this important, and potentially life-saving, task.”
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A group of people battling breast cancer and survivors came together for a clean makeup class. The classes are offered through Breast Cancer Support Services.
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Holiday spirit is soaring, but so is the spread of different illnesses. A Local doctor offer ways to stay holly and jolly over this time of year.
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Dozens of students say a 6-year-old horse named Pippa lifted their spirits. Organizers tout the health and psychological benefits of equine therapy.
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The Community Connections Partnership joins social workers from the city's Health Bureau with police officers to connect people who need help with social services. The police chief says the program has been successful, but the idea is not universally popular.
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A new resource for children with autism and their families opened in Bethlehem Township. The clinic offers evaluations that can lead to a diagnosis and treatment programs.
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Construction company Moyer Construction LLC is proposing a sober house at 3599 Broadway in South Whitehall Township, next to Cetronia Elementary School.
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According to new data from the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute, higher than ever numbers of suicide attempts and mental health issues among middle and high school students now exist. The group says data showed one in nine Pennsylvania teenagers attempted suicide in 2021, and two in five were depressed.
