Wellness Wave Wisdom

By Dianna Lopez, Mental Health Counseling Intern Dianna earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Business from UCSD, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at USD. As a first-generation college student, she is passionate about spreading awareness of mental health services as a necessary resource for all individuals, along with breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy, especially in minority cultures. In her counseling sessions, Dianna focuses on creating a welcoming environment where anyone can come in and feel heard, and uses cognitive behavioral interventions to build a collaborative space and work to shift unhelpful thoughts. Summertime calls for fun times in the sun. Sometimes, the fear of missing out (FOMO) can make it difficult to say no to substances or activities that don’t align with your comfort level. Large crowds can bring on social anxiety, sensory overload, or pressure to fit in. It is okay to take a break, leave ...

TWO QUESTIONS FOR Adela Sanchez on Narcan Training  1.       What led you to bring Narcan training to MiraCosta? Narcan (naloxone) training in community colleges, especially when provided by a nurse, offers numerous benefits. As someone who grew up in this community being able to offer training for students, faculty, and staff is especially important to me. There are so many obstacles in healthcare so when there are opportunities for free programs and resources, I am immediately drawn to them. Empowering community members, especially in a college setting, fosters a sense of responsibility and community care. Trained individuals can act confidently in emergencies, contributing to a safer environment for everyone! I’ve seen too many accidents turn fatal so anything we can do to help is worth it. ·          Narcan equips us with the ability to respond swiftly to opioid overdoses. This can save lives in situation...

By Tammah Watts Tammah is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who is certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator, Clinical Trauma Professional, Domestic Violence Advocate, and Mindfulness-Based Meditation Facilitator. Her book, Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Bird Watching, was published by Hay House in 2023. “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger — something better, pushing right back.” – Albert Camus Welcome to summer semester 2024! This time of year can feel a little less rushed in terms of the pace of how things move along. The soon-to-be warmer days invite many of us to take it easy. It can also be an opportunity to pause and take stock of where you are in life midway into the year. Doing so can be helpful to evaluate and determine your intentions going forward. For the first time thi...

https://soapmat.com/ Michael is Health Services’ new clinical case manager, connecting students to Health Services related resources in the community. Michael is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and proud North County San Diego native who attained his Master’s of Social Work (MSW) at California State University San Marcos. As a second-generation Vietnamese-American, Michael's personal journey as a child of refugees during the Vietnamese diaspora has enriched his perspective with cultural humility, fostering inclusivity, and emphasizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. With over 3 years of hands-on case management experience in San Diego County's Child & Family Well-Being Department, Michael served as an Emergency Response Social Worker. In this role, he assessed safety, responded to crises, and facilitated connections to a plethora of community resources for families in need. Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) may present many overwhelming life challenges for ...

I am Adela Sanchez, BSN, RN, PHN. I am a registered nurse in practice for the last 13 years. I spent most of my career in Labor & Delivery hospital units. I also have home health experience, a bit of PACU, and now a bit of school nursing. I was born and raised in Oceanside. I have a love for community and family.  I share in hopes to promote education and encourage each person’s own growth. Fentanyl As a former labor and delivery nurse, I’ve administered fentanyl many times. It works effectively for immediate pain relief and has a short half-life (its effects leave the body quickly). Fentanyl is used all over hospitals in surgeries, for pain relief, and for cancer patients.   We cannot ignore the benefits of fentanyl when prescribed correctly. The National Institutes of Health states when prescribed by a doctor, fentanyl can be given as a shot, a patch that is put on a person’s skin, or as lozenges that are sucked like cough drops . These medications can be very benef...

  By Adela I. Sanchez, BSN, RN, PHN   MiraCosta College Health Services, in partnership with California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is proud to offer the distribution of Narcan. Now, you may be asking what is Narcan and why would I need it?  What are opioids? Opioids are types of drugs used to treat pain. Common prescription opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, codeine, and methadone. Fentanyl is another opioid that can be prescribed to treat pain. Fentanyl is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches, lozenges, or tablets. Fentanyl can be illicitly manufactured, most often as a powder or in counterfeit tablets. It is sold alone or often produced (many times unknown to the user) in other illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or methadone. Another opioid is heroin, which is made from morphine; a natural substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants. Heroin comes in a white or brownish powde...