Welcome to your monthly update for everything Clay County Public Health Center. As your nationally-accredited local health department, our vision is to empower all people in Clay County to lead healthier lives.
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| Fighting the Winter Blues
For many of us, shorter days and less sunshine can make it easier to feel isolated, unmotivated or just gloomy in general. There's even a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that affects millions of Americans.
Make sure to take care of your mental health throughout the winter.
- Stay social by continuing to make plans and connect with friends, family or your partner.
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Stay active through regular exercise.
Keep a healthy sleep routine.
Eat healthy and nutritious foods, including ones with vitamin D. You can also get vitamin D by taking a supplement (talk to your doctor).
Spend time in daylight and fresh air, even if it means bundling up. You can also spend time in sunny rooms or consider getting a light therapy lamp.
Talk to your doctor if you're feeling depressed most of the day, have decreased interest or pleasure in activities that you used to enjoy, changes in weight and appetite, difficulty concentrating more than usual, experiencing strong mood swings or have thoughts of death, suicide, or harming others.
For immediate help during a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for support.
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| Keep Up to Date to Stay Protected
With many more months of flu season left, you can still get protection with a flu shot. While the effectiveness of annual flu shots can vary year to year, recent studies show that when the vaccine is well-matched to the season's circulating virus, they can reduce the risk of illness between 40% and 60%. Flu shots can also help reduce the risk of hospitalization and the severity of illness, meaning less sick days and more time spent doing what you want.
It's also not too late to get protection against COVID. We continue to offer the primary series (first 1-2 doses) and most boosters. Please check our website for details about what vaccines we have in stock and eligibility. These vaccines are still free (but may not always be so don't wait too long).
Make an appointment for an immunization at Clay County Public Health Center by calling 816-595-4355.
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| Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Did you know that around the Christmas and New Years holiday period, there is often a rise in drunk-driving deaths? During the holidays in 2020, there were 209 drunk-driving-related deaths in the United States.
If you’re celebrating and drinking this holiday season, always remember to plan ahead with a sober driver to take you home. If you’re the designated driver, it’s important to take the role seriously and don’t consume alcohol or use other drugs.
Here are some more safety tips:
- Never drink and drive.
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Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if that person has been drinking.
- If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure everyone has a sober ride home.
- Call 911 if you see a drunk driver.
- Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
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WOW! - Weigh on Wednesdays
Watch your baby grow! Any WIC clients currently breastfeeding are invited to pop by the health center every Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. During this time, you can get baby weighed with the help of a WIC staff member and check that they are on a healthy track.
WIC clients can also take advantage of our monthly Breastfeeding 101 class. You can attend the class in person or virtually, plus feel free to bring along a support person so you can learn together!
Interested in these events but not a WIC client? Visit the Clay County WIC page to explore if you might be eligible.
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Now Hiring
Clay County Public Health Center is now accepting applications for the following positions. Click here to learn more!
- Public Health Nurse - RN
- WIC Certifier
- Community Development Specialist (hybrid remote)
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800 Haines Drive | Liberty, MO 64068 US
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