I was visiting the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment this week during an open house. I got to chat with several counselors in the Substance Abuse Counseling Program. I found out that Teri Pichot, a licensed clinical social worker in the department, recently co-published a book called “Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Its Effective Use in Agency Settings.” I’m not sure if I will buy a copy. Too many big words.
I spent a few minutes with Dr. Mark Johnson, the department’s executive director. He’s kept the health department on the right track for a long time.
Johnson said the Jeffco health department has escaped some of the major budget cuts that other counties may have faced. Although some programs have been cut, he praised the county commissioners for sparing the department and allowing quality services to continue.
The open house gave employees a chance to talk about what they do each day. I’m sure many of the workers are tired of being asked about the West Nile virus because it is only one health problem on the radar screen here in Jeffco.
Johnson, being a realist, has a list of health tips on the department’s Web site that is designed for the fast pace of the 21st century.
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind if you want to grow old and be healthy:
• If you want to be alive tonight, wear your seatbelt today.
• If you want to be alive in 30 years, don’t smoke
• If you want to feel good in 30 years, move around more.
• If you want to prevent infectious diseases, wash your hands.
• If you want to prevent chronic diseases, don’t smoke.
Sure, there’s more information on each topic to be found on the site, but that’s a great start. For more, check out: www.co.jefferson
.co.us/ext/dpt/health/index.htm.