Wellness and Prevention Resources

Primary health care addresses the health needs of all patients at the community level, integrating care, prevention, promotion and education. High-quality health care helps prevent diseases and improve quality of life. Strengthening primary health care1 and the attainment of universal health coverage are both important current global health policy initiatives. The concept of universal health coverage, as noted in the United Nations’ 2015 Sustainable Development Goals, is an aspiration to provide all people with access to essential high-quality health services and to safe, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines, while ensuring financial risk protection.

This section provides resources to promote wellness, improve the quality of life and offer options for health care coverage.

 
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Caregivers Corner

November is National Family Caregivers Month! It’s a time to honor and recognize family caregivers for all they do. Shining the light on caregiving issues, making people aware of what family caregivers do is important. 

Are you new to the caregiver’s role or have you been doing it for a while? Do you provide care to your wife, husband, partner, mom, da, child, grandchild, grandparent, dear friend?  There are so many different scenarios in which people are family caregivers. Some provide 24/7 care, others live out of State and provide important support, and some provide support and care on a frequent basis. 

  • Many people who are working full time or part-time are providing family caregiving as well as personal care, meals and everything in-between.  Others play a more specific role whether it be financial/bill paying, homemaking, medical rides or support to their loved one who lives in an assisted living or nursing home…. The list goes on.

    Please reach out to a caregiver that you know and let them know how much they are appreciated.  If you can help a caregiver don’t hesitate to ask them how you can help or offer to do something specific.  Whether the offer is for one time or a limited time let the person know, make the offer for assistance. 

    If you haven’t taken the time for yourself, please start!.  Begin by realizing that it is necessary for you to take some time for yourself without feeling any guilt.

    Here are some resources to support you:
    www.caregiving.org
    www.caregiveraction.org

Mental Health Emergencies, Addiction and Counseling

In the event of a Mental Health Emergency
Go to your local Emergency Room

Health Care settings and Services DO NOT share immigration status information with local or federal immigration enforcement. 

Resources for mental health emergencies include: 

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Warning Signs

It is not possible to list all of the potential warning signs that may suggest that a person may be thinking about harming themselves. The following list identifies some behaviors/symptoms to look for:

  • Talking about suicide: A person may make direct statements such as “I want to kill myself” or indirect statements such as “This world would be a better place without me.”

  • Changes in behavior/mood:  Significant increase or decrease in sleep, significant increase or decrease in eating, decreased interest and participation in activities, a significant decrease in academic performance, increased engagement in impulsive risk-taking behavior, decrease in mood, or a sudden marked increase in mood.

  • Feelings of hopelessness: The person conveys the belief that things will never get better.

  • Preparations for death:  Purchase of or possession of the means to kill oneself, giving away one’s possessions or writing a will.

  • Recent experience of loss: The recent death of a family member or close friend, the recent loss of anything of significance to a person, such as loss of a job or ending of a relationship.

  • Alcohol and other drug abuse:  This is particularly of concern when a person has a tendency toward impulsive behavior when under the influence of these substances.

  • History of previous suicide attempts: The attempt may have been made by the individual or there may be a history of others in their lives having committed suicide.

If you are concerned about another person and there's an immediate threat: CALL 911

Suicide Prevention Resources

ADDICTION PREVENTION

Alcoholics Anonymous  www.aa.org
Alcoholics Anonymous is a self help group whose members assist and support each other to maintain sobriety and help other alcoholics achieve recovery.

Narcotics Anonymous  www.na.org
Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 43,900 weekly meetings in over 127 countries worldwide.

HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE UNITED STATES

Health care in the US is excellent but it is not free. The US does not have the state provided public health services that you find in Ireland and Europe. Many immigrants are access medical insurance coverage through their employer or private health insurance companies.

The Medicaid program is available to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. As a general rule, only “qualified aliens” may be eligible for coverage. For detailed information on the current rules governing immigrants’ eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP https://www.cms.gov/. Immigrants are advised to seek assistance of their local immigrant center for advice on this issue. Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program for people age 65 or older and for people under age 65 with certain disabilities. More information on Medicare is available on the US Department of Health and Human Services website. Many of the Irish Centers provide referrals or direct assistance for those applying for Medicare.

Irish Citizens Only

IRISH ABROAD ONLINE COUNSELLING SERVICE

Irish Abroad Online Counselling Service (IAOCS) – supporting Irish citizens living abroad with their emotional support needs 7 days a week!

This service is also available for returning Irish emigrants – must register for an appointment within 3 months of return.

www.helplink.ie