It’s never easy to have tough conversations with kids. That’s why Austin Public Health is launching a public service campaign called “Ask, Listen, Talk, Repeat,” in the hopes of raising awareness of mental health issues in children and teens. The campaign encourages parents and caregivers to have “critical conversations” with young people, “a generation that is sometimes forgotten when discussing mental health.” Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County’s health authority, points out that in the last few years kids have “been besieged by several factors from losing time with friends due to the pandemic to the rise in usage of social media. Let’s start our response with simple conversations. Take the time to talk with your kids about how they are feeling and pay attention to changes in behavior.” According to Austin Public Health, national studies show that “one in six children in the United States experience a mental health disorder and that nearly 50 percent of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by the age of 14.” Those are sobering statistics. Find resources at the campaign website, AskListenTalk.org, and a mental health toolkit here.

Why do we never tire of advising people to get vaccinated for Covid? Well, it’s because the vaccine is still the absolute best way to protect yourself and others from getting this extremely nasty disease. If you have summer travel plans, you’ll definitely want to get your vaccination before boarding a train or plane or getting in line with hundreds of your fellow germ-covered humans at some festival or fair. CommUnityCare is offering free Covid-19 vaccines and boosters to people ages 5 and older. To schedule an appointment, visit CommUnityCare’s online portal. And Austin Public Health has decided to sweeten the deal by providing gift cards (while supplies last) to anyone who receives any Covid-19 vaccine, whether it’s their first or second shot or booster. Sign me up! Find APH’s list of community vaccine events – some of them quite festive – here.

With a goal of recruiting 1,000 volunteers this year, the Greater Austin YMCA has launched a “Plug In” campaign to connect potential volunteers with opportunities to be of service. According to a press release about the campaign, volunteer opportunities include youth coaching, policy board volunteers, special events volunteers and community improvement volunteers. Those interested can visit AustinYMCA.org/volunteer or email volunteer@austinymca.org. “People are looking to find more purpose in their lives,” said Kathy Kuras, YMCA of Austin president and CEO, in a statement to the press. “The YMCA is here to help power your purpose, and we’re encouraging people to plug in to areas that they’re passionate about. The Y can help match your passion, skills and schedule to the right opportunity.”