WOODBRIDGE – One in five adults in the United States experience a mental health crisis, while 1 in 5 children ages 13 to 18 have, or will have a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Because of these astonishing statistics, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is hosting a Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resource Fair. On Friday, September 20, from 5:45 – 7:45 p.m., mental health experts from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Prince William County Community Services, National Alliance on Mental Illness and many more, will gather to take part in this important conversation.

Non-profits will discuss area resources, warning signs, behaviors, treatments and/or options when it comes to mental illness and suicide prevention. As our featured guest, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will deploy its 40-foot long crisis van.

Not only will the VA offer tours, but it will also have counselors on-site to assist veterans, service members and their families. There will also be informational resources, a Question & Answer Panel, raffles, plus much more in a safe space to discuss the challenges, obstacles, and services available for those dealing with mental health issues.

The Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Resource Fair is free and open to the public on Friday, September 20, 5:45 – 7:45 p.m. at the Hylton Education Center on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, 2300 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191. Free and ample parking is available. Bring a friend or loved one. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about this important topic. More event details at pwcmentalhealth.eventbrite.com.

Business at Chick-fil-A in Bristow was booming as customers lined up outside the door with flyers in hand that read in bold letters at the top, “August 28, 2019; SPIRIT NIGHT.”

This was a special night, not only for Chick-fil-A Bristow, but for Team Prince William and Law Enforcement United (LEU), as Chick-fil-A hosted Team Prince William in fundraising for the Chris Yung Memorial 5K Turkey Trot, as well as raising awareness for the prestigious 2020 Road to Hope and the upcoming Charity Golf Tournament.

Team Prince William is a 501(c)3 charity group incorporated within LEU, and their mission is to honor and support the family and survivors of fallen officers. Their main goal with the Chris Yung Memorial Fund is to benefit Officer Yung’s children. Officer Chris Yung died in a horrific motorcycle crash in the line of duty on December 31, 2012, at the intersection of Nokesville Road and Piper Lane, just outside Chick-fil-A is Bristow.

Team Prince William Co-Treasurer Tracy Zingg led and coordinated with Karen Allam, Marketing Director at Chick-fil-A Bristow, to make sure everything was running smoothly.

“This is just one of the ways that Chick-fil-A can help us raise money,” said Zingg, as she was relieved that the popular turnout was more than she expected. “It kind of gives you that sense of pride and excitement that something is doing what it’s supposed to do, and I love that feeling. I love it when a plan comes together.”

Team Prince William announced their event through social media and by handing out flyers inside local elementary schools, notably the Chris Yung Elementary School in Bristow.

“The partnership that Chick-fil-A and LEU have to keep the memory of an officer who paid the ultimate sacrifice on duty is very important,” said Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson, who attended the fundraiser. “It’s certainly important to our youth to keep that memory alive because there’s a school named after him. So, of course, I want to be here to support a great and important cause.”

The funds will help set up the 5K Turkey Trot held on November 28, Thanksgiving morning, and in turn, the funds raised at the 5K Turkey Trot will go directly to the Chris Yung Memorial Fund. Details and sign-ups for the 5K Turkey Trot can be found here.

“I mean the money is great and it helps, but the biggest thing [Chris’ wife] doesn’t want is for Chris to be forgotten,” said Zingg. “She doesn’t want his children to be forgotten. So, the 5K is our way of getting that out there and making sure that people don’t forget.”

The 2020 Road to Hope will be held in May and is a 250-mile bike ride from Chesapeake, Va. to Washington D.C. over a span of three days, honoring the lives of Law Enforcement Officers killed each year and raise money for the survivors. The funds will go toward Concerns of Police Survivors (COP’s) and Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP).

Summer of 2019 has come with near record-breaking temperatures.

While the thought of having fun for hours outside may sound great to children, it’s important to understand the dangers and effects that heat can have on the body.

Heat exhaustion happens when the body is exposed to harsh heat for a long time. According to the Center for Disease Control, you may be suffering from heat exhaustion if you experience prolonged sweating, pale skin, dehydration, nausea, or a fast heartbeat.

Without care, it can lead to heatstroke and cause permanent damage to the body. Sometimes in the middle of summer, the heat index can reach dangerous temperatures of up to 110 degrees. You’ll often see meteorologists and phone alerts telling you when the weather is potentially dangerous to your health. 

DC Webb, Park Manager for The City of Manassas Park, Department of Parks and Recreation, said, “Making sure my staff is safe in the workplace is my biggest priority. Even when there is a lot of work to be done, I always encourage them to take 10-15 minute breaks when they feel it’s necessary.” He mentioned that he asks his employees to always have their phone available to check for the heat index and rising temperatures, as well as always having water available in coolers or in their work vehicles. “The work is always going to be there the next day, so there is no reason to overwork,” Webb added.

Staying indoors is not always an option for many, especially those who work outdoors like park maintenance and construction workers. Even if you think you’re able to handle the heat, it’s best to be prepared. If you work outdoors, you should always have a kit ready with cold packs, a thermometer, and an electrolyte drink or tablets. 

“We recently acquired General Ridge’s Golf Course, now named Blooms Park, and there is a lot of work to be done. We’ve changed our work hours so that the crew can finish by early afternoon and avoid the harsh heat,” Webb said.

If you and your family are outdoors enjoying summer, be sure to know your local cooling centers to avoid being in the heat for a long time. If you are in the area, remember the Manassas Park Community Center is a cooling center during operating hours! 

The Manassas Park Community Center is located at 99 Adams Street in Manassas Park, VA. Managed by the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation, the facility is home to basketball courts, a swimming pool, wellness areas, special events, and recreational classes. For more information visit us at www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com or call at 703-335-8872.

Featured photo: Manassas Park campers make tie-dye t-shirts during H2O and Go camp

Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt is a poetry and prose writer who has lived in Prince William County since 1999. She has published six books and is working on a seventh. Learn more about her at KatherineGotthardt.com, and follow her work on Facebook by searching #KatherinesCoffeehouse.

Ever watch one of those post-apocalyptic movies where hoards gather and for whatever reason – be it hunger, fear or contagious bad attitudes – a fight breaks out and suddenly, it’s mass chaos?

Or how about a bar fight? Everyone jumps in and starts breaking chairs and bottles.

Or maybe it’s just a concert or sporting event, and the crowd goes wild over the performance. Nothing bad, they just do it together.

All of these are examples of groupthink, which is based on collective behavior. Whether good, bad or indifferent, groupthink is the nemesis of true inspiration and motivation.

Here’s why.

At its very heart, choosing to be inspired and motivated is a personal, thoughtful decision. So it makes sense that when you allow a group to think for you and you just follow the crowd, you become less inspired and motivated, even if the crowd is doing something positive.

How can that be?

1. Groupthink operates on collective behavior, which encourages sameness. However, we’re all individuals, and if we let the group think for us, we give up our unique capacity to create the meaning behind inspiration and motivation.

2. Groupthink is typically transient. Get out of the group, and you’re left alone with yourself and your thoughts. Now what? Do you know what to do with your mind? You might use memories to go back to the moment where you were part of the crowd, but that is inherently a solitary journey.

3. Groupthink tends to be shallow. Your quest to maintain inspiration and motivation is not. Thus, groupthink is at odds with your goals.

I know. No fun, right?

Actually, that’s not true. You can use groupthink to your advantage, and as you do so, distinguish yourself from the group. It might not happen at the scene where collective behavior is taking part, but that doesn’t matter. When it comes to working on creating your own inspiration and motivation, you can use the group, but you don’t have to depend on it.

Here’s how:

1. Breakaway mentally and/or physically from the group. Observe. Note the dynamics of the collective behavior and kind of thinking that is going on in the group. Feel free to jump back into the fray – unless you are in a barfight or a post-apocalyptic brawl. Then you might want to leave.

2. Go back to the haven of your independent mind. Asses how the scene of the collective behavior made you feel (i.e., the bar, the sports arena, etc.).

3. Now assess how the idea behind the collective behavior made you feel. For example, why were you in the bar to begin with? What started the fight? Or what was the music about? Was there a history behind the sound and lyrics?

4. Jot down notes and consider how each of these can be used to inspire or motivate you.

It might look something like this:

Went to the concert. People singing and dancing in unison. Loud drums. Fireworks. Smoke machine. I felt exhilarated being part of the crowd enjoying the music. It was freeing to be part of a group that was there for the sole purpose of celebrating the music. It felt peaceful and made me happy.

I am inspired by the music.

I have always wanted to sing.

I’m inspired to practice and motivated to take lessons.

Notice the above thought processes. The ideas have to form in your mind independently, and they can’t do that in an environment where everyone is thinking the same thing – or not thinking at all and just acting on instinct. I encourage you to think for yourself.

In the 80’s,
there,
in row 103,
me,
lighter raised,
like everyone else
in praise of music.
But mine –
I make it dance for me.

Until next time,
Katherine

Hello Community Members,

Chick-fil-A Bristow would like to invite you to our Brentsville District Community Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. We would like to say “thank you” to our communities for your continued support and show our appreciation with a celebration!

If you live in the Brenstville District, specifically Brentsville, Nokesville and Bristow, just come in during that time frame and show your ID and get a FREE Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. We will also have a bounce house for the kids.

We also are inviting our local churches, organizations, schools, high school bands, cheer squads, athletes, clubs, local historical society, police, fire, and vendors to come out and perform or set up an informational table. Please contact me directly if you are interested in participating so we can discuss the details.

We look forward to seeing you!

Karen Allam, Marketing Director of Chick-fil-A (Bristow)

Are you experiencing chronic headaches that are interfering with your day-to-day routine?

If so, you are not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from migraines every day. In fact, they are becoming more recognizable as a chronic issue because of the variety of triggers that can lead to migraines, specifically stress.

To help those living with migraines, Dr. Amelito Malapria from Sentara Neurology Specialists has offered this advice on how to cope with and seek relief from this common medical condition.

How does someone know when they should seek clinical help for their migraines?

• They notice an increase in the frequency of their migraines
• It is affecting their ability to function
• The migraine no longer goes away with over-the-counter medications
• They notice a change in the character and pattern of their migraines

And, what kind of healthcare provider should they make an appointment with?

After first consulting with their primary care team, a neurologist can be helpful in the management of migraines. Unfortunately for most migraine sufferers, the frequency and duration of a migraine can occur several times in a year and work only allows for so many sick days. What are some tips that migraine sufferers can use to make their workday easier?

First, identify your triggers and learn how to manage stress with relaxation techniques. Then, try to make adjustments to your work environment, such as:

• Use an ergonomic chair
• Use an anti-glare computer screen
• Change your lighting to non-fluorescent or use a fluorescent filter
• Use sunglasses if needed
• Stay in a less chaotic area
• Ensure a fragrance-free environment
• Stay hydrated
• Eat regular meals and always have healthy snacks on hand

If I’m plagued with a migraine at work, what can I do to treat it and ease the pain?

• Take your prescribed migraine medication
• Take a break as soon as it starts
• Place an ice pack on your head
• Move to a quiet and dark environment
• Try relaxation techniques
• If it persists, consider going home to recover

Not knowing when a migraine will occur can cause anxiety for those who want to travel. What advice do you give patients with migraines when they are planning to travel?

• Planning is the key, so be aware of your triggers and pay attention to your wellness
• Be sure to eat a light meal before traveling and stock up on snacks and water
• Limit caffeine use and avoid alcohol
• Get a good sleep before you travel
• Bring earplugs, an eye cover, good quality sunglasses, and soothing music
• Do not forget to bring your migraine medications or other homeopathic remedies which have been helpful in the past

Explore Health is a regular feature brought to you by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. 

It’s Prince William County Fair week, and one of the most popular events during the fair — the Demolition Derby — is set to take the grandstand on Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7 o’clock.

You won’t want to miss it.

We talked to Rudy, one of the founders of the demolition derby at the fair:

Rudy, you oversee one of the most popular destination attractions here at the fair. The demolition derby and you’ve been doing it you tell me for more than 30 years. What brings you back here to the fair every year.

“Well, I really like this particular area. Manassas has been really good to me. The Prince William County Fair and I met one of the Johnsons (is one of the founders and demolition derby originators) years ago when we were at a convention in Maryland and he said we’d love to run a demo but we don’t know. And so I came down here and looked and I said I’m pretty sure we can do it. And we’ve been doing it ever since.”

The demolition derby is held is almost nightly here. It’s so popular and so you have so many people who come back every year and they bring their cars. What goes into these cars?

“Well of course what’s happened over the years has been more and more difficult to get cars. So it does change them a little bit. But basically, we asked guys and gals to bring stock automobiles. We let them make some adjustments to it and of course, we make them remove the things that we think might fly off and create a problem.”

Some of the things like what?

“Well like we always and they’re not allowed to leave the mirrors on the bed to take all the glass out of their vehicle basically stripped the vehicle with the exception of the driver seat and possibly the passenger seat up front.”

For someone who’s watching this and it is maybe not as familiar with demolition derby might say “oh my gosh that’s dangerous,”  and that “you’ll never get me in one of those cars.” But is it really dangerous?

“Well, if you want my personal opinion that’s what I think. I guess I don’t think. I mean we’re pretty darn careful. Safety is a pretty big issue with us.

We make sure we check every automobile that comes on the ground and want to participate and that they have something that we do not feel is done properly or a safety issue.

We either tell them they must make an adjustment or they’re not allowed to run.

So I’m new to watching demolition derby, and I’m in the grandstands for the first time. Is it the last car standing wins where we’re sort of the rules the demolition derby?

“Basically, that’s it. You know it is the last I was running under a set of guidelines and rules. That last car running is the winner of that particular heat.”

Finally, why do you think this is such a fan favorite at the fair?

“Well for a long long time you know an individual could come to a fair and participate in the demolition derby, and if one of the family members happen to have an old car that wasn’t worth a whole lot anymore they would just basically tear it apart do what they had to do and bring it down to have some fun. And for a long time, a lot of people would say we don’t care about the [prize] money that you’re going to pay.”

“We want the trophy, and Grandma and Grandpa, aunts and uncles brothers and sisters friends and what all the relatives a lot of times come to the fair to watch and participate. And that was what made it really successful because local people were participating and they were bringing their families. …We’ve run force on the cars six cars eight cars. We run minivans and pickup trucks on occasion. There are some places where we run trailer racing you know. So we’ve done a variety of things and a lot of things.”

“It’s certainly I wouldn’t allow anyone in that type of vehicle to compete against somebody a little tiny Honda or Toyota. Right. You know we’re here to have fun. We’re not here to have anybody get hurt. That’s for damn sure.”

So it’s all that fun. It’s all about trophies it’s about local people and it’s certainly all about demolition derby here at the Prince William County play.

Rudy thanks for talking to us today. You don’t want to miss the Prince William County Fair.

It is going on here in Manassas at the Prince William County Fairgrounds. Come check it out.