Vital

06/05/2026

What does a job really mean for someone in recovery? 💡

Our IPS Works Project Manager, Josh Law, MPA, explores the powerful connection between employment and long-term recovery in his latest article, "What's in a Job?"

Here's a striking reality: 75% of individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) want to work, but only 15% are employed at any given time. VitAL's IPS Works program is helping bridge that gap by connecting people to meaningful, competitive employment based on their own goals and preferences.

As one Alabama hiring manager put it: "She takes pride in her work; it's more than just a job to her."

Employment isn't just a paycheck. It's purpose, autonomy, and community. Read Josh's full article at the link below. ⬇️

Employment, at least in American society, is often paralleled with notions of responsibility, drive, resilience, stability—purpose.

06/04/2026

That’s a wrap on the Alabama Opioid Prevention Summit in Birmingham! Don’t forget to register for tomorrow’s session in Prattville.

Professionals from across Alabama came together to learn, collaborate, and explore practical strategies for building stronger, more sustainable programs in our communities.

From grant writing and strategic planning to evaluation, outreach, and program marketing, each session focused on real-world tools to support long-term impact.

We were honored to welcome keynote speaker Ben Westhoff, whose investigative reporting has helped shed light on the opioid crisis, synthetic drugs, and the impact of illicit opioids on communities nationwide.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to do this important work across Alabama.

06/04/2026

VitAL is proud to be represented at the Alabama ACEP EMerald Coast Conference, sharing resources and information about VitAL, Every Step, and Zero Su***de.

Conferences like this are an important opportunity to connect with professionals across the field, strengthen partnerships, and continue the conversation around prevention, crisis care, and support for individuals and communities across Alabama.

Thank you to our team for showing up, sharing resources, and representing this important work.

05/31/2026

Abstracts for the 2026 VitAL Annual Conference are due in just a few hours at 5 p.m. on May 31. Don’t miss this opportunity!

The 2026 VitAL Annual Conference issues this call for abstract proposals from researchers, policymakers, community leaders, faculty, clinicians, and practitioners currently working in the areas of mental health or substance use. Presentation submissions will be evaluated for relevance and significance to the overall theme of: Care Across the Continuum.

Learn more about the conference and submit: https://vitalalabama.com/training-events/in-person/vital-conference/

05/31/2026

Ni****ne addiction doesn’t always look the way people expect.

Today’s products are often designed to feel casual, flavored, discreet, or even “less harmful,” but the cycle of addiction is still real.

This World No To***co Day, we’re recognizing the importance of prevention, education, and support for anyone working to break free from to***co or ni****ne use.

Quitting is not just about willpower. It’s about access to support, healthier coping tools, and communities that understand recovery is possible.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step, help is available. Download the app for resources and support near you.

***coDay

05/29/2026

What are mental health screeners in Connect Alabama, and who should actually use them?

The mental health screener inside Connect Alabama walks you through simple questions about what you’re experiencing, and it adjusts in real time—so if it doesn’t detect concern, it stops early and lets you know you may not need further help.

If there is something going on, it guides you toward understanding it without overwhelming you or making you guess. It’s not about labeling you. It’s about giving you clarity when you’re unsure and helping you take the next right step, privately and honestly.

Download the app: https://vitalalabama.com/resources/find-help/connect-alabama/

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the service members who gave their lives for our country.

As we honor their sacrifice, we also recognize the importance of supporting veterans, service members, and their families with care, connection, and access to mental health resources.

Today and every day, their well-being matters.

05/23/2026

Don't forget about our upcoming webinar, EMDR Therapy: A Clinical Framework for Trauma-Informed Assessment & Treatment Planning.

If you’re a clinician looking to deepen your trauma-informed approach, this is one to save.

🗓️ May 26
⏰ 2:00 - 3:30 PM CT
🎓 Earn 1.5 CEs

Register: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0030-0030-89e9eb1a4cdd4705990c12720b6ba1a2

Join Wendi Hogue to learn more about EMDR therapy and trauma-informed treatment planning. This session will connect DSM-5-TR diagnoses directly to EMDR targets, walk through the AIP model and 8-phase protocol, and apply it all to real clinical cases - including complex trauma and dissociation.

At VitAL, we’re committed to equipping providers with practical, evidence-based tools to better support individuals across the continuum of care.

This project is supported in part by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Bureau of Prevention, Promotion, and Support, through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control, Injury Prevention and Control, Research and State and Community Based Programs funding, Overdose Data to Action in States, grant number 6 NU17CE010196.

Alabama Public Health Alabama Department of Mental Health

05/22/2026

Improving Outcomes, Together.

This EMS Week, VitAL recognizes the emergency medical services professionals who show up every day with skill, compassion, and urgency when communities need them most.

EMS teams are often the first point of care in moments of crisis, and their role goes far beyond emergency response. They help connect people to support, stabilize critical situations, and improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities across Alabama.

At VitAL, we believe better outcomes happen when systems work together. EMS professionals are a vital part of that continuum of care.

Thank you to every EMT, paramedic, dispatcher, and EMS partner for the work you do to protect, serve, and support our communities.

05/22/2026

How is the Treatment Finder in Connect Alabama different from just Googling help? It removes the guesswork when you’re already overwhelmed.

Instead of scrolling through endless search results and trying to figure out what’s actually close or realistic for you, the Treatment Finder in Connect Alabama lets you enter your zip code and set a radius that fits your situation.

It also accounts for real barriers like transportation, helping you see only providers you can actually reach. This tool makes the next step simpler, faster, and clearer.

Download the app: https://vitalalabama.com/resources/find-help/connect-alabama/