May 3, 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Week 1: This week's focus is to spread acceptance and support for the people we know and love who are experiencing mental health challenges. When it comes to mental health, small actions equal big impact.

Week 2: This week's focus is on strategies for managing mental health, such as self care.  Self-care is important for your mental health.

Week 3: The focus this week is to promote acceptance and compassion surrounding mental illness. Language matters; let's work together to use person-first language and avoid derogatory terms.  We play a part in one another’s mental wellness.

Week 4: The final goal this week is to encourage individuals to seek help if they need it, as well as support others by offering words of encouragement and celebrating small successes. Let’s support each other and make it okay to reach out and seek help whenever we need it.

May 20: Be Well Event

On May 20, 2023 from 2:00 - 6:00 pm, join the Orange County community for Be Well, a community wellness event, free and open to all! 

The event will occur at Hargraves Community Center at 216 Roberson Street in Chapel Hill. Bring your friends and family.

May 21: No Menthol Sunday

The Center for Black Health & Equity’s No Menthol Sunday is our annual opportunity for faith communities to address the detrimental impact tobacco has on Black communities. Each year we encourage faith leaders to dedicate this day to educating congregants about smoking, vaping and the role of menthol and other flavors. The pandemic has increased the risk of smoking-related deaths in our communities, but there is so much we can do to focus on victory! This is our time to go against the grain and reject the tobacco industry’s tactics.

This year’s theme, "Focus on Victory, Go Against the Grain" encourages us to stand up against the tobacco industry and create healthy and just tobacco-free communities. Learn more here.

May 31: World No Tobacco Day

Tobacco growing harms our health, the health of farmers and the planet’s health. The tobacco industry interferes with attempts to substitute tobacco growing, contributing to the global food crisis.

The 2023 campaign encourages governments to end tobacco growing subsidies and use the savings to support to switch to more sustainable crops that improve food security and nutrition. Learn more here.

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends

The Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends May 11. Please share the following information with affected community members.

North Carolina COVID-19 Cases

The following data is based on the data available as of 03/29/23 according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). NCDHHS reports 39,635 COVID-19 cases and 158 deaths in Orange County, with 63 new cases and 0 deaths in the last week.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccinations:
Percentage of Population Vaccinated with One New Booster Dose: 41% 

For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates site every Wednesday around noon), please visit the NCDHHS website. 

Health Department Locations

Contact Information

Contact the Orange County Health Department’s Public Information Officer at: healthpio@orangecountync.gov.

Orange County Health Department:
Web: www.orangecountync.gov/coronavirus
Phone: 919-245-2400
Facebook: Orange County Health Department
Instagram: OrangeHealthNC
Twitter: Orange Health NC
Youtube: OCHDNC

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