USU Extension - HEART

Back-to-school season can feel overwhelming for teens and young adults.

New routines, social pressure, heavier workloads, and less free time all add up. A little extra support can make a real difference.

Swipe for practical ways to help ➡️

Helpful resources if you or a teen needs extra support:
• SafeUT app – free, confidential chat and tip line for Utah students: https://safeut.org/
• 988 – Su***de & Crisis Lifeline (call or text): https://988lifeline.org/
• NAMI’s Back-to-School Mental Health Resources: https://www.nami.org/kids-teens-and-young-adults/school-resources/back-to-school-resources/

You don’t have to have all the answers. Just showing up consistently can make a meaningful difference. 💙 Learn more, here: https://www.npr.org/2024/08/27/g-s1-19635/a-new-poll-reveals-the-worries-of-gen-z-kids-and-how-parents-can-support-them

There is still time to complete this survey and get entered to win one of three awesome family prizes! Please share your input on family screen use today :)

Utah parents and caregivers—we want your input!
Utah State University Extension is conducting a short survey about family screen use and routines. It takes about 15 minutes and is completely voluntary and confidential.
Participants can choose to enter a prize drawing to win one of three family activity bundles (choice of prize; approx. $200 value) after completing the survey.
If you are 18 years of age or older, reside in Utah, and are the parent or primary caregiver of at least one child age 5 to 18, you can take the survey here: https://usu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0kMQMjDltQjYYBM

If you know other parents or caregivers who may be interested, you are welcome to share this survey link with them.
(Questions about this study (IRB protocol #15899)? Contact Taryn Wahlquist, Principal Investigator, phone: (435) 586-8132, e-mail: [email protected])

💜 25 Years On. Still Needed. 🕯️ For 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people together to remember those we’ve lost and take action to save lives.

Overdose continues to affect families, friends, and communities—including right here in Carbon & Emery Counties. But overdose can be prevented. We can learn how to reduce risk, recognize an overdose, use Naloxone, support recovery, and—most importantly—treat one another with compassion and without stigma.

This Monday, August 31, join us at Huntington State Park for our 5th Annual Carbon & Emery A Light to Remember - Overdose Awareness Day. 🕯️ Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/19NWW89muw/

Together, we will:
💜 Honor and remember those we have lost
🕯️ Create luminaries and add messages to our remembrance wall
🍔 Share FREE meals together (first 150 adults & 100 youth)
💊 Learn about Naloxone and receive a free kit
🤝 Connect with local resources and support
🎶 Hear the Ambassadors of Hope Choir
💜 Share memories and stories with USARA
✨ Come together to share hope for the future

Free and open to everyone. Join us from 6:00–8:30 PM at Huntington State Park.

Because while this day is still needed, it doesn't have to be forever.

Please share this post and help us make sure our community knows they are welcome. 💜



🍔 Event will include a meal from local favorites Gettin' Our Smoke On and Angel 's Craving Food Truck, with meals generously sponsored by the sponsored by Four Corners Community Behavioral Health, Emery County Commission, Southeast Utah Health Department, Desert Edge Christian Church, Castleview Hospital, and other community sponsors, as well as beverages provided by the CARE 4 Carbon Coalition and 1Direction Prevention Coalition- Emery County.

Create luminaries to commemorate loved ones, add to the remembrance wall, engage in Naloxone education and receive a free kit, visit booths with local information and resources, and much more with USU Extension - HEART 🕯 USU Extension - Emery County 🕯 USU Extension - Carbon County 🕯

🚐 Free transportation is available for attendees thanks to our partners at Carbon Medical- Sunnyside, Helper & Price Clinics! Community members needing a ride to A Light to Remember can meet at the Carbon Medical Community Health Center in Price (92 N 4th E, Price, UT 84501) by 5:15 PM on Monday, August 31, for transportation to and from the event at Huntington State Park. Space is limited to 6 riders and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free and open to the public.
Swag and FREE meals will be provided to the first 150 adult and 100 youth attendees. 🍔
🕕 Event Schedule
-- Welcome & Meals Begin at 6:00 PM
-- Ambassadors of Hope Choir to open the event
-- Naloxone Trainings at resource booths throughout the evening
-- Shared Memories with USARA - Price - Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness at 7:30 PM
-- Moment of Silence & Luminary Lighting Ceremony at 8:00 PM
The event will conclude at approximately 8:30 PM following clean up.

Brought to you by:
Carbon & Emery Opioid & Substance Use Coalition
Four Corners Community Behavioral Health,
Emery County Commission
Southeast Utah Health Department
Desert Edge Christian Church
Castleview Hospital
Emery County 1 Direction Prevention Coalition
C.A.R.E Coalition
USARA - Emery - Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness
Carbon Medical Service
Life Balance Recovery Price
USU Extension, HEART Initiative, Be Epic: Escape the V**e
Hope Squad of Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties & Ambassadors of Hope Choir
Hands of Hope Harm Reduction & Outreach Services
StepOne Service Castleview Hospital
And more!

Location provided by:
Huntington State Park

Meals from:
Gettin' Our Smoke On & Angel 's Craving

For other Utah A Light to Remember location information, visit: http://www.alighttoremember.life/

Learn more about he 2026 International Overdose Awareness Day events near you, please visit: https://www.overdoseday.com/events-2026/

🦆Join us at Castleview Hospital Kids Day until noon! Prevention is strengthened by strengthening healthy habits like exercising, expressing gratitude, eating healthy, and keeping your mind and body healthy 🦆

Hard days don’t mean you’re failing.
They just mean you’re human.
Be kind to yourself today. 💙

Check out Guided Practices & Self-Compassion Exercises, here: https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-practices/ -practices

Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply come together.

On Monday, August 31, we will gather at Huntington State Park to remember loved ones lost to overdose, stand alongside those in recovery, and remind one another that there is no shame in asking for help, no stigma in speaking about loss, and no need to walk through it alone. 💜 ONLY 26 DAYS UNTIL Carbon & Emery A Light to Remember - Overdose Awareness Day💜

🕯️ We will remember.
💜 We will listen.
🫶 We will support one another.
✨ And we will make space for hope.

One of the meaningful parts of this year's evening will be Shared Memories with our friends at USARA - Price - Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness. Several members will share messages and stories centered on healing, recovery, and hope—creating a space where lived experience is honored and where we can hear an important reminder:

Recovery is possible. Hope is real. And connection matters. 💜

We'll also have:
🍔 FREE meals from local food trucks
🎶 An opening performance by the Ambassadors of Hope Youth Choir
🕯️ Luminaries and a remembrance wall
💜 Naloxone education and free kits
🤝 Local resource and support booths
🚐 Free transportation from Price
💧 Beverages and more

📅 Monday, August 31, 2026
📍 Huntington State Park
🕕 6:00–8:30 PM
💜 Free and open to everyone

👉 Like and follow the Facebook event for upcoming reminders, event updates, transportation information, and additional details:
https://www.facebook.com/share/19YgTxJSFn/

Bring a friend. Bring your family. Bring your stories. Most importantly, bring your heart. There is a place for you here. 💜 All are welcome.

🚨 Have you heard of ni****ne pouches like ZYN? They’re becoming increasingly common, but many parents and families may have questions about what they are, how they work, and what risks they may pose—especially for young people.

💚 The HEART Bunch is here to help families stay informed! In this video, learn more about ni****ne pouches and what parents and caregivers should know.

🎥 Watch: What Families Need to Know About Ni****ne Pouches: https://youtu.be/58DfZ-ydZ3U

Knowledge is a powerful tool for prevention. Take a few minutes to watch and share this resource with a parent, caregiver, educator, or anyone who works with youth.

****nePouches

What Families Need to Know about Ni****ne Pouches Let us know what you thought about the video! https://usu.co1.qualt...