Berrien County Health Department

02/17/2026

We’re enjoying warmer weather right now, but winter isn't over yet. The next time you’re feeling cooped up during a cold and snowy stretch, limit your screen time and head outside to boost your mood and physical health.

❄️ Try some fun winter activities like hiking, cross-country skiing or fat-tire biking to stay active this season.

🧤 Remember to dress in warm, moisture-wicking layers before heading out.

🌲 Berrien County offers plenty of great places to enjoy the outdoors — especially in our beautiful parks. Plan your visit at https://www.berriencounty.org/432/Activities

02/13/2026

Our team members are visiting Benton Harbor neighborhoods this winter to make sure residents know about our lead education and faucet replacement program. They’ll be doing door-to-door outreach Monday through Friday, wearing Berrien County Health Department–branded jackets and ID badges.

They’re looking forward to talking with residents about whether they’re eligible for a free home lead assessment and faucet replacement.

For more information about our lead education and faucet replacement program, please visit https://www.berriencounty.org/1599/City-of-Benton-Harbor

If you have any questions about our team members being in your neighborhood or would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about the program, please contact Dawn Poindexter at 269.927.5633 or dpoindexter@bchdmi.org.
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Nuestro equipo visitará los vecindarios de Benton Harbor este invierno para asegurarse de que los residentes conozcan nuestro programa de educación sobre plomo y reemplazo de grifos.
Estarán tocando puertas de lunes a viernes, usando chaquetas con el logo del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Berrien y tarjetas de identificación.

Quieren hablar con los residentes para ver si califican para una revisión gratuita de plomo en su hogar y el reemplazo de grifos.
Para más información sobre nuestro programa de educación sobre plomo y reemplazo de grifos, visite https://www.berriencounty.org/1599/City-of-Benton-Harbor

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre nuestro equipo en su vecindario o le gustaría programar una cita para conocer más sobre el programa, comuníquese con Dawn Poindexter al 269.927.5633 o por correo electrónico a dpoindexter@bchdmi.org.

02/13/2026

Our offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 16 for the Presidents Day holiday.

For access to many of our services and resources 24/7, visit bchdmi.org. Our offices will reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17.

02/10/2026

💕 As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re reminding everyone to celebrate love safely by getting tested for sexually transmitted infections.

Our Sexual Health Clinic offers confidential, non-judgmental STI testing, treatment and education through in-person and telehealth appointments. Fast-track testing and walk-in services make it easy to stay healthy and informed.

❤️ Request an appointment online at https://www.berriencounty.org/FormCenter/Health-Department-Encrypted-41/Sexual-Health-Appointment-Request-260 or call 269.926.7121

🩷Learn more about our STI services at https://www.berriencounty.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/2473

02/09/2026

It’s never too early to talk to your teen about the risks of va**ng. More than half of Michigan students tried their first e-cigarette at age 13 or younger.

Get tips and tools for starting the conversation at home: https://www.berriencounty.org/779/Underage-VapingTobacco-Prevention-Campai

Teens looking to quit va**ng can also get free, confidential help any time through the My Life, My Quit app. Offered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the app provides one-on-one coaching by text or phone, interactive tools and step-by-step quit plans tailored to each person’s needs. Get more info about the app here: https://mi.mylifemyquit.org/en-us/

A partnership of Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon and Ottawa Counties to eliminate sales of to***co to youth under the age of 18.

02/06/2026

🥶Learn how to spot early signs of cold-related injuries like frostnip, superficial frostbite and deep frostbite so you can stay safe while enjoying winter activities.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers helpful tips on recognizing and preventing frostbite and hypothermia, including what changes in skin color and sensation to watch for in your fingers and toes. To prevent frostbite and other injuries:

🧥 Dress in warm layers.
🧤 Cover exposed skin.
🕒 Limit time outside in extreme cold, whenever possible.

02/04/2026

Take charge of your reproductive health with confidence. 🩵

Our Sexual Health Clinic offers a variety of birth control and contraceptive options, as well as STI testing and treatment — all in a supportive, confidential environment.

💻 Learn more about your options at berriencounty.org/1672/Sexual-Health-Clinic

🗓️Request an appointment with our team at berriencounty.org/FormCenter/Health-Department-Encrypted-41/Sexual-Health-Appointment-Request-260

Additionally, in Michigan, you can now get a prescription for birth control directly from a pharmacist — no doctor’s appointment needed. And if you have health insurance, your prescription will be covered.

02/02/2026

February is American Heart Month, a time to show your heart some love. ❤️

The American Heart Association recommends these habits to help prevent high blood pressure and support overall heart health:

🥗 Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats while limiting sodium and added sugars.

🚶‍♀️ Be physically active, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) each week.

🍷 Limit alcohol use.

😴 Get 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night and find healthy ways to manage stress.

🚭 Avoid smoking and va**ng. Check out our smoking cessation resources at https://www.berriencounty.org/783/Quit-Smoking

01/30/2026

🚜 Are you a farmer — or know someone who is? Farming can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be stressful. In fact, Michigan farmers face one of the highest rates of su***de in the country.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you’re not alone.
Here are a few supportive resources:

💙 ManTherapy.org – Online mental health tools designed for men and their families: https://mantherapy.org/

💚 MSU Extension’s Rural Resilience course – Learn to spot stress warning signs and build coping skills: https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/rural-resilience-open-online-course

☎️ 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7 from trained counselors. Visit 988lifeline.org for more information.

💬 Find more free and affordable mental health care on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/healthcare/help/type/free-or-low-cost-mental-health-care

01/28/2026

Start today and make every day count. Most teens choose to stay vape-free, and those who need help quitting can be successful with the right support. Resources are available to make that first step easier.

Learn how to start an open, supportive conversation with your teen, strengthening trust and helping them make informed, healthy decisions:
https://www.berriencounty.org/779/Underage-VapingTobacco-Prevention-Campai

Teens can also download the free My Life, My Quit app for help with quitting to***co products, including e-cigarettes and vapes. The free app, made available by our partners at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, offers live, confidential text and phone coaching, interactive tools and customized quit plans. More details about the app are here: https://mi.mylifemyquit.org/en-us/

A partnership of Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon and Ottawa Counties to eliminate sales of to***co to youth under the age of 18.

01/27/2026

How can HIV prevention and care improve in Michigan? If you’re 18 and older, please take a five-minute anonymous survey about sexual health and HIV prevention and care. 🩵

Your answers will help the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shape a five-year plan to make testing, prevention (like PrEP) and treatment easier to find and use.

💻Take the survey at https://bit.ly/mdhhs_hiv_survey

01/26/2026

Due to the weather and road conditions, our offices will open at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday, Jan. 26). Stay warm and safe!