Just Like You! Campaign Restarts in November

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

Just Like You! is a campaign designed to remind all adults how important it is for them to be a positive role model for the children and youth in their lives.

“The stress of the pandemic can bring out the best or the worst in you,” said Linda Costello, coordinator of the campaign at the Garrett County Health Department. “Children are spending more and more time with you, and they reflect what they see in you. If you have a positive attitude and do things like exercising to reduce stress, they will imitate what they see in you.”

The Garrett County Health Department is promoting the Just Like You campaign hoping to teach children and youth the importance of taking care of their bodies by practicing healthy behaviors. Adult behaviors have a big impact on children, including healthy behaviors such as eating fruits and vegetable, brushing teeth, exercising, buckling up in a vehicle, and following COVID-19 precautions to stay safe. Likewise, children will also follow unhealthy behaviors such as tobacco use, binge drinking, and using other drugs. 

“We all know that children are copy cats at every age and like to imitate adults,” said Costello. “At times, children can receive mixed messages regarding tobacco, alcohol and other drug use. We need to be aware of the messages our actions and words may be giving children.” 

This Just Like You campaign is administered by the Garrett County Health Department through funding from MDH and SAMHSA. For more information visit copycatfun.com or call Health Education and Outreach at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

Cutline: Your children want to be Just Like You! Be a positive role model and they will continue to follow your example as they grow up. Payton and her mom, Lorie Schrock, were part of a Just Like You feature several years ago in the picture at left. Payton continues to follow her mom’s example, and now has a pony of her own to take care of. For information about the Garrett County Health Department’s Just Like You Campaign visit copycatfun.com