Taking care of yourself, inside and out.

Food Accessibility

• Reach out to hospitality teachers, community members, churches, religious institutions, etc. for food assistance
  • The Tri-C Student Food Bank is a great resource
  • Oberlin Second Harvest Food Bank
  • Cleveland State University Lift Up Vikes
  • Lorain County Community College
• Learn the Qualifications for Food Stamps to see if you are eligible
• Shop on a budget with this Tip Sheet!
• Compare the nearest grocery stores by price and distance
  • Look at the RTA Routes to find the best way to/from the grocer

Diet & Nutrition

• Don’t treat your body like a garbage can!
• Learn more about Nutritional Values to understand how your body processes different foods
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Healthy Eating on a Budget
• Be aware of food allergies and sensitivities
  • How to Tell You Have a Food Allergy
• Look into produce giveaways at your local Farmer's Markets, Food Pantries, and nearest grocery stores
  • Friendly Inn: Has a food bank and a weekly community dinner
  • West Side Market: Partners with hunger organizations to provide food for low-income families

Staying healthy at home

• Self-care is practicing personal hygiene and cleanliness
  • Here are some Self Care Activities to try
• Follow the Food Pyramid for a balanced diet
• Watch what you eat - READ LABELS
• Use Pinterest to look up Healthy & Affordable Recipes

Medicaid

• A lot of services are covered for low-income households through Medicaid
  • Use the Healthcare Marketplace to obtain this insurance
• Types of Medicaid: Caresource, Buckeye, Molina, AETNA, Paramount, United Health
• Do your research!
  • All hospitals have their specialty (i.e. Metro’s specialty is trauma)
  • Research your local and county health departments
  • Check with local hospitals, grocery stores, and drug stores for free screenings, shots, and other services

Routine care

• Regular primary care and dental care is important for maintaining long-term wellness and preventing future health complications
• Turning 18: What it Means for Your Health
• Explore the Lorain County Free Clinic, NEON, and other Free Health Clinics to schedule an appointment
  • Home check-ups can also be arranged

Managing chronic health issues

• Know where and How to Access Your Medical Records
• Make sure you have the necessary tools and medications
• Important: Stay on treatable care
• Don’t give up if you don’t get the care you need!
  • Establish a trusting relationship with your doctor/provider
  • Ask questions about what you’re unfamiliar with
• Understand your illness using the CDC's Diseases & Conditions Index

Medication management

• Medication safety
  • Make sure your doctors know EVERY medication you use
  • Know the Risks of Opioid Usage and be very cautious
  • Take your medicine until your doctor indicates that you should stop
• If you’re having problems: Fixing Prescription Refill Issues

ER vs Urgent Care vs Primary Care Physician

• Primary Care is used for regular check-ups & follow-ups
• ER and Urgent Care is used for Immediate Urgent Situations
  • Follow-up with your primary care physician or specialty care doctor
• Benefits of having a primary care provider/doctor
  • If you receive care in the same entity (i.e. Cleveland Clinic, MyChart) all of your providers have access to your records
  • Remember to discuss medical history with your physician
• When to Go See a Specialist
  • You will receive a referral from your doctor to make an appointment
  • Ask questions to understand what treatment you are getting & why

Medical Insurance

• Utilize the Insurance Marketplace for finding and Getting Insurance
  • Some insurance does not cover dental or vision
  • Some insurance is not accepted in pharmacies
  • Learn What is Covered with Your Insurance?
• Obtaining files and your electronic health record from providers
  • HIPAA allows you to keep your health information private
  • It’s important to Know Your Rights
  • Parents must have consent to view your health information after you turn 18; otherwise, they have to get access from the state
• Deductibles & Premiums
  • Research what doctors are in-network with your insurance so you can minimize the amount you have to pay
  • Co-pay is a flat fee you pay for each doctor’s visit that covers your portion of the visit (It’s typically less than $30)
• What to Do If You Don't Have Health Insurance
• Hospitals and clinics by location
  • Clinic social workers will help you apply for specific insurances
  • Cuyahoga: Free Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, St. Vincent
  • Lorain: Lorain County Free Clinic, Elyria Memorial, St. Joseph’s, Jacobs Health Center, St. John Westshore
  • Cuyahoga and Lorain: MetroHealth

Crisis Text Line

Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor within 5 minutes.

Diagnosis

• Your physical health and mental thoughts can be key signs of mental stress/illness - don’t just chalk it up to being “tired”
• Take an online screening, do your research, and make an appointment
  • Learn more about different Mental Health Diagnoses

Get Help

• Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
• You do not need a referral from a doctor to go to therapy (although if recommended, you should listen to your doctor)
• Therapy can be expensive, but here are some Affordable Therapy Options
  • Mental Wellness Apps and other free digital platforms are becoming more widely used and proven to be effective
• Things to know:
  • Stay on track with therapy recommendations
  • Destigmatize going to therapy - it can help everyone!
• Medical health professionals can also prescribe you Therapy & Support Animals as a form of treatment

Mental health medication and psychiatry

• There are many different Chronic Mental Illnesses that require many different kinds of treatment
• Certain Medications for Mental Health aren’t right for everyone
  • Talk to your doctor about any concerns or long term effects on medications
• Other forms of treatment that may have therapeutic value
  • Meditation & Mindfulness: awareness of what is going on in the present
  • Holistic Medicine: acupuncture, diet & exercise, counseling, etc.

Substance Use

• Employers drug test!
• Learn about What is Addiction? to understand why it is more common than you think
  • Pain killers, alcohol, tobacco, and many other substances are highly addictive and can be accessed easily
  • Genetics also plays a large role in the frequency of addiction
• Getting “hooked” on tobacco can be avoided
  • Although it’s legal, Tobacco Use has long term effects
  • Through Vaping, nicotine addiction has skyrocketed in the past 10 years and you don’t want to be part of that statistic
• Alcohol & Drug Use can turn into a disease
  • Long term effects impact both your physical and mental health
  • This can lead to violence and/or loss of control
  • Prescription painkillers/opioids can be very dangerous, which is why you must inform your doctors of what you can’t take due to addictions
• Societal Impact
  • Binge drinking and drug abuse can lead to DUIs, fallouts with the people close to you, and many more negative effects
  • Here are some Substance Abuse Statistics

Peer support

• Hey I’m Here, a youth-led community engaged in changing the conversation when it comes to mental wellness
• Types of peer support: parents, youth and young adults, sponsors, etc.
  • There’s a multitude of peer Support Groups for different circumstances
• Why is Peer Support Beneficial? - It builds trust & gives you a source of strength

Suicide Prevention

• If you are in crisis, call 9-1-1 immediately
• You matter! It’s okay to not be okay and to seek help
  • Hospitals can admit you into an inpatient facility to get help
  • The Suicide Hotline Number, 800-273-8255, is available 24/7
  • LifeAct - Lifesaving suicide prevention programs for young people
• Suicide Prevention and Education Resources
• Find Positive Outlets for self-care
• Have someone to talk to, if possible
  • Watch the Logic Music Video to see that you’re not alone
• What to do if you receive a call from someone who’s suicidal
  • Don’t: Make judgments, minimize the problem, or dismiss actions
  • Do: Keep them on the line, talk openly, and call 9-1-1
• The NG911 Text Number allows you to send more than an outgoing call to local professionals

How to receive transportation for appointments

• Some insurances provide transportation
• Some Hospitals and clinics provide transportation
• Prescription deliveries can be set up at any time
• The RTA Healthcare Line runs through Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital Main Campuses