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Human trafficking is often a hidden crime. It can be challenging to identify since traffickers often use manipulation, coercion, and threats to control their victims. Individuals with disabilities — whether mental or physical — are particularly vulnerable to trafficking for several reasons, including limited mobility and independence; dependence on others for care; economic vulnerability; communication challenges; and social isolation.

For many, January is a time for a clean slate. Resolutions are made to improve lives. For many though, those resolutions result in disappointment and a feeling of failure As an alternative, World Health Esteem Month aims to change that cycle. Instead of making far-reaching resolutions that are difficult or impossible to attain, World Health Esteem Month encourages people to make small choices to enhance their lives.

We’ve all been there, kicking off the year with a “New year, new goals, new you!” mentality. And then …. a few months, or weeks or even days later and that New Year’s Resolution that was going to change your life is somewhere on the very back burner of your everyday life.

Today, Flatrock observes a very important holiday, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This United Nations-sanctioned day promotes the rights and well-being of persons with physical and mental disabilities at every level of society around the world.

World Kindness Week — celebrated this year from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19 — encourages all people to engage in acts of kindness and promote the importance of compassion, empathy and goodwill.

As we mark National Stress Awareness Day on Nov. 1, it’s important to recognize that not all stress is bad. Without stress, we would learn nothing new and never challenge ourselves. However, some stress is very unhealthy and can lead to serious physical, emotional and mental problems.

The month of October commemorates National Sensory Processing Awareness Month. People with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), have trouble receiving and processing information that comes in through their senses. While many with SPD have other conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, or Attention Deficiency Disorder, some do not.

Today we celebrate World Mental Health Day, and the theme that the World Foundation of Mental Health has set for 2023 is “Mental Nealth is a Universal Human Right.”

The month of October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which allows us to bring awareness and understanding of this condition that affects one of every 700 babies born. It is a non-hereditary chromosomal disorder and the leading cause of intellectual and development delay in the world.

Today starts the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week. The American Association of Suicidology stresses the need to be open about suicide and talk about it not just this week but ongoing. The Association encourages people to spread awareness, advocate for research funding, and be kind to others.