A Partnership between ADPH, ADMH and VitAL.
In Alabama, substance and opioid use disorder numbers have been rising in recent years, and mental health concerns have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2021, of the 41 million Americans classified as needing treatment, 97.5% did not believe treatment was necessary.
In 2020, 11,838 Alabamians were seeking treatment for substance use disorder. (National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS): 2020). Based on this survey data, many Alabamians did not seek treatment due to the false belief that it was not necessary.
The Connect Alabama app will help increase the number of people who seek treatment for behavioral health services in Alabama by putting up-to-date information in the hands of those who need it the most.
The Connect Alabama Behavioral Health Services and Treatment Finder App will help. Everyone can help!
Download and share the Connect Alabama app today!
The development of this application is possible through a partnership between the ADPH, Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant, and VitAL.
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About The Connect Alabama Toolkit
This toolkit provides free resources about the State of Alabama’s treatment/service finder application, Connect Alabama.
The Connect Alabama app has many features to benefit those looking for behavioral health information and services, including an up-to-date treatment finder and access to crisis lines.
The app is designed to provide up-to-date treatment and services information about substance use, mental health and prevention.
It provides information to educate Alabamians on everything they need to know about treatment and help them locate treatment services that match the selections they are looking for.
This toolkit includes a training guide that explains how to use the app and how to share the Connect Alabama app so more Alabamians have access to critical behavioral health and treatment information.
Social media posts, posters, and billboards are also included and can be downloaded for use on social media, or printed to continue spreading the word about Connect Alabama.
In order to increase the reach of all social media posts, please follow us and tag the following handles in your posts: @vitalalabama (VitAL), @admh (Alabama Department of Mental Health), and @adph (Alabama Department of Public
Health)You can download a copy of the Connect Alabama Tool Kit here.
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Why is it Important to Download the Connect Alabama App?
In addition to providing treatment services information, the app will supply users with immediate access to hotlines and helplines including domestic violence, abuse, and more critical services.
A key feature of this app is that the information provided is up-to-date. For rural areas or situations where there is limited or no access to data or internet, built-in
static information is readily accessible.The app automatically updates when internet/Wi-Fi becomes available which means you have access to the most up-to-date information possible.
Opioid and overdose prevention information, resources, and education can also be accessed on the Connect Alabama app including direct access to the free Naloxone training provided by the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH).
A Hot Topic Banner on the app’s home screen will notify users when special alerts or important information becomes available.
The app contains direct call features when applicable and is available for both Android and Apple devices.
The application includes a section for Substance Use, Mental Health, Prevention, Services Locator for Treatment, and Helplines resources. Each section is then divided into easy to access information related to:
- What is treatment and prevention
- How to prepare for treatment
- What types of treatment are available
- What is Medication Assisted Treatment
- What is Peer Support
- State and National Hotlines
Although the information in the app is comprehensive, more information is available when the internet/data is available. Links available in the app will provide access to expanded information on the VitAL website.
The Connect Alabama app brings together information about treatment, substance use, mental health, and prevention in one convenient resource so users can easily find the information they are searching.
This app is useful for everyone.
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How to Download the Connect Alabama App
The Connect Alabama app simplifies the search for treatment and puts help in the
hands of every Alabamian who downloads it.Anyone can use the app to search for information. It is user-friendly and the
information is updated when Wi-Fi is available for the device.First Responders can use the app to find resources to share with someone they
encounter during an emergency call and can help them download the app for future use.Healthcare providers can use the information on the app to educate patients on
important topics such as what to do after an overdose, or how to know if someone is overdosing.Friends, co-workers, employers, and caregivers can help others find information and treatment by downloading and sharing the app with those who may need it, whether it’s a crisis situation, a subject that comes up in conversation, or from genuine concern based on signs they’ve become aware of.
Download and share Connect Alabama because it’s not always possible to know
when a friend or acquaintance needs help but if they have this resource in hand,
they can search for help when they need it.Download the Connect Alabama app by scanning the QR code below or by following the appropriate link below to the Google Play store for Android devices, or the App store link for Apple devices.
Once the app is installed on your smartphone or tablet, open it and a tutorial will walk you through how to use each feature of the app.
More information is available here.
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How to Use this Toolkit
Do you need help or know someone that does? Connect Alabama’s free toolkit includes fact sheets, resources, social media posts, and ready-to-use graphics about substance use, mental health, and prevention to share with those that need help. download the toolkit here.
Social Media Posts
In order to increase the reach of social media posts, please tag @vitalalabama, @ADMH (Alabama Department of Mental Health), and @ADPH (Alabama Department of Public Health).Captions:
HELP IS IN YOUR HANDS. Download The Connect Alabama Behavioral Health Services & Treatment Finder App Today!
The Connect Alabama App can assist you in finding treatment for you or your loved ones who struggle with mental illness, substance use disorder, or who want to learn about prevention. Download today to find out why the app is for EVERYONE!
CONNECT ALABAMA: A new app that makes finding resources and treatment simple when you need it most.
Download the Connect Alabama app and start your road recovery today.
Stop the stigma. Support mental health and download the Connect Alabama APP.
Get Connected! Because…”Preparation is Prevention”
HASHTAGS:
- #ConnectAlabama
- #TreatmentFinder
- #SelfCareIsNotSelfish
- #AnxietyAwareness
- #MentalHealth
- #MentalHealthAwareness
- #StompTheStigma
- #StopTheStigma
- #MentalHealthAdvocate
- #MentalHealthAdvocacy
- #MindMatters
- #mentalHealthWarrior
- #MentalHealthSupport
- #ProgressNotPerfection
- #SelfLove
- #EmotionalHealth
- #SelfWorth
- #AddictionAwareness
- #RecoveryIsPossible
- #SubstanceUseDisorder
- #FirstResponder
- #OpiodCrisis
LINKS
https://vitalalabama.com/resources/find-help/find-treatment/
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Partner Toolkit
This toolkit provides free resources about the State of Alabama’s treatment/service finder application, Connect Alabama.
The Connect Alabama app has many features to benefit those looking for behavioral health information and services, including an up-to-date treatment finder and access to crisis lines.
The app is designed to provide up-to-date treatment and services information about substance use, mental health and prevention. It provides information to educate users on everything they need to know about treatment and help them locate treatment services that match the selections they are looking for.
This toolkit includes a training guide that explains how to use the app and how to share the Connect Alabama app so more Alabamians have access to critical behavioral health and treatment information.
Social media posts, posters and billboards are also included and can be downloaded for use on social media, or printed to continue spreading the word about Connect Alabama.
In order to increase the reach of social media posts, please tag @vitalalabama, @admh (Alabama Department of Mental Health), and @adph (Alabama Department of Public Health).
- Social Media Sharables
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Branding Standards
- Presentation Deck
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Radio Scripts
Radio Script: 30-second
If you needed to find substance or mental health treatment services, for yourself or a loved one, would you know where to look?
Regardless of what we hope or expect, information on the internet is not always up-to-date, and it’s often incomplete.
Nearly 12,000 people sought treatment for substance use disorder in Alabama last year, but that number may have been higher if information was more widely available and easy to use.
With the new Connect Alabama app, help for substance use and mental health issues is now in your hands!
Learn more at Vitalalabama.com or download it from your app store.
Radio Script: 60-second
If you needed to find substance or mental health treatment services, for yourself or a loved one, would you know where to look?
Regardless of what we hope or expect, information on the internet is not always up-to-date, and it’s often incomplete.
And let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to ask a friend or family member for information like this because it’s so personal.
Nearly 12,000 people sought treatment for substance use disorder in Alabama last year, but that number may have been higher if information had been more widely available and easy to use.
Thankfully, the new Connect Alabama app is now available, and everyone can use it!
But Connect Alabama isn’t just a treatment finder!
You can look up information on mental health and prevention, as well as get connected to support services, and there’s even a locator for drop-off locations for unused medications.
You can learn more about the Connect Alabama app at vitalalabama.com or download it from your app store.
With Connect Alabama, help is in your hands.
Download Scripts in PDF
- 30 Second Video
