ISSUE SEVENTEEN | CENTERSTONE.ORG
A PUBL IC AT ION OF CEN T ER S TONE
BETTER WITH
AGE:
How Centerstone Is Caring for Older Adults
Building Personal Resiliency | Senior Wellness | Centerstone Pharmacy
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Cover Feature 2 Better with Age:
How Centerstone Is Caring for Older Adults
Health and Wellness
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8 Senior Wellness: 6 Common Concerns Facing Older Adults 9 Philanthropy in Action
10 Provider Spotlight: Keith Shelly, D.Ph., Director of Pharmacy 11 Centerstone Pharmacy In the Community
12 Comic Book Warns Students against Sexting 13 Centerstone Military Services Names Executive Director 14 News and Notes 16 Crisis Management Strategies 17 Building Personal Resiliency after a Tragedy
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Editor in Chief Robert N. Vero, EdD Managing Editor David Schrader
Contributing Editors Karen H. Rhea, MD Ramona Rhodes Elliot Pinsly Ian Skotte Contributing Writers Jeney Slusser Lisa Eggebeen
Graphic Design Michael Rivera Centerstone of Tennessee Board of Directors Mark Faulkner, Chair R. Parker Griffith, Vice Chair Albert Menefee III, Secretary Janet Ayers, Immediate Past Chair Kelly Crockett Crook Father Fred Dettwiller Dr. Vincent W. Durnan, Jr. Dana Oman Dr. Carmen Reagan Steve Saliba Kate Satz Joan Sivley Sperry Bell Simmons Jim Sweeten Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate Dr. Robert N. Vero, CEO
ABOUT CENTERSTONE Centerstone, a not-for-profit organization, is one of the nation’s largest behavioral healthcare providers. It offers a range of treatment, support and educational programs and services to individuals who have mental health and addiction disorders and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each year, the organization serves more than 142,000 people of all ages at 157 locations across Florida, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee. It also operates the Centerstone Foundation, Centerstone Research Institute, Advantage Behavioral Health, Centerstone Military Services and Centerstone Health Partners.
From the Editor in Chief Welcome to the new issue of Centerstone’s Reclaiming Lives magazine. I’m excited for you to learn more throughout these pages about some of what we’re doing to transform behavioral healthcare in our community and beyond. Three of the Centerstone “health home” locations in Middle Tennessee are now equipped with full-service pharmacies, giving clients the added convenience of filling prescriptions on-site when they visit a therapist or doctor. Keith Shelly, our Director of Pharmacy, shares why this work serving his behavioral and primary health customers is so rewarding. And our Prevention Services team has a creative new prescription for reaching students: comic books! Media outlets, education leaders and school kids alike are taking a close look at Spark and the Sext Message that Nearly Destroys Her, which warns young readers against the dangers of sexting—sharing sexually explicit messages or images, usually by phone. On the other end of the age spectrum, this issue’s cover story celebrates the strength and wisdom of older adult clients who show us it’s never too late to pursue improved mental and physical health. When Mr. David Bradley says that a Centerstone employee “is like family” or Ms. Nancy Hunt says the work we’ve done together “puts a smile on my face,” I hope they know the feeling is mutual. We’re delighted they are proclaiming success, and we’re honored to help in reclaiming lives.
For more information about Centerstone, please call 888-291-4357 or visit www.centerstone.org
Robert N. Vero, EdD Chief Executive Officer
5,000-1115
COVER FEATURE
Better with
How Centerstone is Caring for
Older Adults 2
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COVER FEATURE
Getting older can be a challenge. When behavioral health issues combine with declining physical health, it makes aging even tougher. Anxiety and depression issues that are compounded—or even triggered—by age-related limitations often lead to severe social isolation, while increased intake of prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause confusion or substance use problems. Further, studies show that Americans 65 and older account for 20 percent of all suicide deaths, and older adults who don’t receive appropriate mental and physical healthcare have shorter life spans.
However, older adults are also living examples of perseverance and wisdom—their unique experiences an inspiring testimony to overcoming life’s challenges. In turn, Centerstone takes a specialized, personal approach to older adult care by offering individualized needs assessment, prescription management, in-home counseling, assistance with accessing community services, coordination with other healthcare providers and more. We’re honored to share the following stories from two older adult clients who are only getting better with age.
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“ There were times I was so depressed… I just existed. ”
A New Beginning MEET NANCY HUNT Nancy Hunt opens the front door of her cozy Nashville condo with a welcoming smile and confident air of hospitality. Upon entering, no one would sense her fivedecade struggle with depression. Nor would they have reason to believe that her depression had caused a self-described hoarding-like issue that made her home close to unlivable. With the help of Centerstone’s clinical expertise and a newfound willingness to tackle all of life’s messes, Ms. Hunt now has a clean slate and is finding herself again. “My first episode with anxiety and depression was at 19; I suppressed my true emotions too much,” Nancy recalls. “Around 30, I broke up with a boyfriend, and not being married yet was a point of tension for me. I would cry every day after work and was afraid I’d never stop crying, so I finally saw a therapist.” That first step toward maintaining good mental health lasted three years, and Hunt managed anxiety afterward through medicine, self-help books and her Christian faith. She made good friends working at the same company for 23 years until a layoff and corporate shutdown brought another tough episode of depression. “It wasn’t the best time to find other work, and I just didn’t do too well at home alone,” says Nancy. “Being at the same 4
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job so long, coworkers become like family. They remember your birthday, and talking with them is easy. That’s life. After the layoff, I would say, ‘I used to be Nancy Hunt,’ because that’s how I saw myself, as a person who used to have a job and was used to being around people.” Other jobs that followed never lasted very long, and Hunt admits, “There were times I was so depressed that I didn’t even look for work. I just existed.” Her mental health impacted her physical health—she never felt good and didn’t feel like getting out of bed. After several trips to a primary care doctor showed nothing truly wrong with her body, behavioral health counseling was suggested. “I was wide open to the idea because I’d had a therapist before. If I didn’t go try this, I didn’t know what would happen to me,” Nancy admits. “People I knew would say, ‘All you have to do is pull up on your bootstraps.’ I knew it wasn’t that easy.” Ms. Hunt’s depression caused her to isolate herself at home and lose interest in things she once found exciting. She also stopped cleaning the house and let newspapers, junk mail and other bric-a-brac pile up everywhere. Dirty dishes were ignored, and after a leg injury, even taking out the trash was a problem. Wanting to look good since she didn’t feel good,
At the ripe old age of 69, I’m “starting to realize I can stand
up for myself. Centerstone has helped give me confidence.
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Hunt spent too much on cosmetics against a tight budget already hit by phone scammers who tricked her into buying fake computer repair services. Needed home repairs could not be done because certain areas were too messy for workers to reach. Even though the condition of her living space drove away friends who had tried to help and made family members cry with concern, Nancy—a quick wit—tries joking about the matter: “I always found things to do that were more interesting than cleaning,” she says. “I didn’t know it was hurting anyone but me.” At Centerstone, Hunt found a therapist she could really connect with about her depression and its increasingly noticeable symptoms. Her prescriptions were better managed, and trust was built. “You can tell a therapist anything, and they don’t judge you. They accept you as you are and help you grow. You can really trust these people,” Nancy explains. “This is just a part of my life now.” In therapy, Ms. Hunt talked a lot about cleaning her house—why she wasn’t doing it and if she could ever do it. In time, she gained confidence in her ability to change her depression-driven habits while learning ways to take control of the situation and life in general. She remembers, “One day my therapist said—and I love this—‘Nancy, I don’t mind whether you clean your house or not.’ And I thought, well this is interesting. And it wasn’t too long after that I told her I wanted to clean the house. She said, ‘The living room?’ and I said, ‘No, the whole thing!’ I don’t know where that came from.” Wherever that came from, her timing was perfect. Centerstone had received a West End Home Foundation grant providing short term care coordination services to older adults in Hunt’s area who don’t qualify for case management services. In short order, Centerstone care coordinator Addrienne Alsup helped Nancy create a weekly cleanup plan that allowed Ms. Hunt to be in control of the process. “Addrienne said in our first meeting that this was a new beginning,” says Nancy. “This was a positive thing we were
doing. And it’s really not about cleaning house. It’s about what I want to do, and cleaning house was on my list. She let me know there were no negatives.” Hunt opens the notebook that she and her care coordinator put together to keep this process of transformation on track. She points out steps they’ve taken to maintain orderliness, get plumbing and roof repairs done, secure transportation and to set up a budget that makes room for homeowner’s insurance and a legitimate computer maintenance contract. “I got a call from those phone scammers the other day, and it felt so good to say, ‘No thank you.’ I was tickled pink! At the ripe old age of 69, I’m starting to realize I can stand up for myself.” Indeed, today Nancy Hunt is having what some call “senior momentum.” She feels better physically due to her improving mental health, and she welcomes friends and family to her home regularly. She also wants others to know it’s important to support and not give up on those struggling with anxiety and depression. “Centerstone has helped give me confidence,” she concludes. “Since we’ve done the cleaning, when I walk downstairs in the morning, and I look over the rail, and I see that the sofa’s clean, the floor’s clean, that just puts a smile on my face. That makes me happy.” CENTERSTONE.ORG
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How Much Centerstone Means to Me MEET DAVID BRADLEY addition to therapy, “ InCenterstone helped
me get dental care, better nutrition… They’ve done so much.
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The real life of David Bradley sounds like a movie. Born to a prominent Nashville family, he later attended prep school in New York, played college football in Philadelphia and then served as an undercover narcotics police officer for 17 years in Charlotte, N.C. There, he got too close to his dangerous work and developed an addiction to cocaine—on top of a pre-existing struggle with alcohol. And that’s not even what led this resilient gentleman to Centerstone.
His care at Centerstone included consultations with psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Lavie to develop coping skills for anxiety related to PTSD. Mr. Bradley began experiencing symptoms soon after his first near death experience from cancer. He couldn’t escape that time in his mind—awake or asleep—thinking back to being put into a coma, learning medics said he had only hours left to live, and then the long road to recovery.
Years after conquering those demons, David became ill with esophageal cancer. It’s a diagnosis he has since defeated twice. In all, Mr. Bradley has undergone 27 surgeries, endured months-long hospital stays and had two Code Blue/near death experiences. Such trauma has led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ongoing physical problems and a great need for help in coordinating and adhering to his various regimens of care. That’s where Centerstone enters the picture.
The fragile emotions stirred up by PTSD are especially foreign to David as a former lawman. Used to having a macho image, he now tends to cry more easily in unexpected moments and often isolates himself as a result because he finds that display embarrassing. But he has learned to work past it, methodically fighting against the depression and anxiety every day.
“I came back home to Tennessee to live in a residence for disabled and retired people, and to be close to my family,” David says. “I connected with Centerstone through my insurance company and call it God-sent. I wasn’t acquainted with all of their services. In addition to therapy, they’ve helped me get dental care, better nutrition, visited me in the hospital and driven me around to my medical appointments—whatever I needed. I’m trying to remember it all. They’ve done so much.” 6
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“You’ve got to understand, I lead a normal life until this tape starts to play. If it gets real bad, I take a medicine prescribed by Dr. Lavie that will calm me,” he says. “But most of the time, I’ve just got to play it through, be self aware. I put on the Beats™ headphones my daughter gave me, listen to an audio book and take my puppy for a walk, so I can be alone and let things run out.” When alone time isn’t part of the healing process, Mr. Bradley enjoys visits from his care team. With Centerstone’s help, he receives services through a grant from the Tennessee
Centerstone. “I love If I was to lose Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services called “Specialized In-Home Services for Older Adults.” His in-home therapy services are provided by Centerstone’s outpatient therapist Jennifer Jenkins. In addition to providing individual psychotherapy to teach coping skills and address symptoms of PTSD, Jennifer and the treatment team have worked with him to customize a comprehensive care plan addressing all areas of life.
them now, I’d be messed up.
”
“Jennifer is like family she’s been helping me so long,” David says. “She led me to programs I knew nothing about. Thanks to her I receive a case of Boost® Nutritional Drink each month because I’m underweight. She found a grant to provide me with better dentures at no cost. She’s even helping me enroll in an online college to get a degree in Homeland Security. As a former police officer that’s right up my alley.” Mr. Bradley has also met with integrated health care coordinator Andra Codrea from Centerstone’s WellConnect Services, which helps clients manage mental and physical health together so that both will be improved. “Andra was like my nurse; she’s real good, advises me on medicines, helps me communicate better with the doctor—she’s taking me soon to get a complete physical.” When David recently considered moving to a new apartment in a nearby county, his biggest concern was making sure it wouldn’t mean losing his relationship with Centerstone. “That’s how much Centerstone means to me,” he concludes. “If I was to lose them now, I’d be messed up. I have a great life. I love Centerstone. Thank you!” a
Centerstone is privileged to have access to two grants that help make behavioral health care more accessible for older adults. The West End Home Foundation provided funding that allowed Centerstone to hire a full-time care coordinator to work with older adults who don’t have access to case management services through their insurance. Care coordination links individuals with needed resources, enhancing natural and community based supports rather than depending on
Scheduling Older Adult Care Centerstone is honored to serve older adults with behavioral healthcare and recovery needs. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-888-291-4357 (HELP).
institutional ones, and ensuring that health care and needs of daily living are met (all in 4-12 visits). Clients are able to set and reach measurable objectives to achieve sustainable change. Centerstone has also received funding from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services that allows homebound older adults in Davidson County to access in-home psychotherapy and supportive services.
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6 Common Concerns Facing Older Adults Studies show 20-25% of older adults suffer from some form of mental health disorder, which can impede physical health and independence. Fortunately, a wide variety of treatments are effective in improving behavioral health problems later in life. Along with mental health, a host of issues related to our aging population must be addressed. Millions of Americans are providing at least some level of care for the elderly. Here are 6 common concerns facing this population and some tips on how to manage them:
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Isolation — Feelings of worthlessness plague older adults when they’re unable to participate in or are excluded from everyday activities with peers, family and community. Loss of motivation and purpose increase this feeling of isolation.
Tip: Include the elderly in as many family activities as possible to decrease the isolation. Tap into community resources for support and activity ideas, such as day centers or church facilities.
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Loss of Independence — Completing daily activities is something we often take for granted. Having to wait for someone else’s aid further increases an older adult’s feelings of helplessness and depression.
Tip: Even when a person moves slowly or is unable to do something on their own, let them do some small part of the chore or task if they are able. Acknowledge their contribution and value.
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Physical Limitations — Deteriorating health, ongoing pain, fears of falling and other safety concerns are paramount with the elderly. Health concerns with this population go unreported more than any other.
Tip: Encourage them to ask questions and share any concerns about their health, medications and physical limitations. Check their insurance plan to access valuable Physical Therapy and other covered benefits.
Loss of Spouse and Friends — Losing a spouse or significant other often feels unmanageable for the elderly. Allow them time to grieve and vent their feelings. Loss of friends is difficult at any age. With the elderly, it can especially magnify their own awareness of pending mortality.
Tip: Go through old pictures of better times with the departed; allow them time to reminisce; acknowledge their pain; let them know it’s okay to feel as they do; visit or check in as often as possible.
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Loss of Appreciation and Consideration by Others — Making decisions for the elderly without their input or consent is presumptuous and imposing, no matter how well-meant.
Tip: If older adults are able to participate in the decision-making process, let them. Don’t assume you know what it is they want or what’s best for them.
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Condescending Attitudes of Others — Assuming people aren’t intelligent or capable because they’re elderly is disrespectful and rude. Ignoring the value of their life experience is a mistake.
Tip: Remind yourself that this elderly man or woman was once your age. The wisdom of their experience is always valuable to our society, even if “things have changed.” Despite cultural shifts, people are still basically the same. Give them the courtesy they deserve. a
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PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION
Baptist Healing Trust Awards Centerstone to Provide Addiction Recovery Services
Baptist Healing Trust Program Director Beth Uselton (left) and Program Assistant Catherine Smith (far right) present Centerstone Program Manager Sheila Nickell, therapist Emily Humerick and Director of Advancement Jeney Slusser (center) with funds to help Centerstone’s Addiction Recovery Services.
Centerstone was recently awarded $45,000 from Baptist Healing Trust to provide Addiction Recovery Services in Maury County. This service helps residents of Maury County receive substance use treatment, regardless of their ability to pay, through group therapy sessions and personalized recovery coaching. This is the third year Baptist Healing Trust has provided funding for this service, which has since expanded to additionally serve residents of Marshall, Lawrence, Giles, Hickman, Williamson and Rutherford Counties.
Local United Way Organizations Supporting Centerstone’s Families In many communities across Tennessee, Centerstone’s partnerships with local agencies support services to help improve the quality of life for clients. Two such examples are the relationships between Centerstone and United Way of Maury County and United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. As in years past, these organizations recently renewed grant funding for Centerstone’s Regional Intervention Program (RIP) to provide training for parents and caregivers in positive behavior management skills. Available to children under the age of six and their families, RIP provides individualized behavior plans to meet the specific needs of each family. Parents who complete the program then become mentors for new enrollees through volunteer payback.
Centerstone Staff Donate $100k! Each year Centerstone employees join together to participate in the Centerstone CARES Campaign. This annual employee giving effort raises funding to support Centerstone’s clients by providing opportunities and experiences that otherwise would not be available through typical payer sources. This year’s campaign achieved a landmark milestone – raising over $100,000 across the multi-state footprint! Examples of how Centerstone CARES funds have been used include: assisting clients in financial distress with the cost of transportation to appointments and medication co-pays, financially helping families avoid interruption of utilities and prevent homelessness, enabling veterans to participate in online support groups and empowering clients through work training experiences.
Centerstone Uses Mobile Gaming to Improve Mental Health among Teens
Centerstone Research Institute has partnered with the D.N. Batten Foundation to launch iThrive, an initiative to facilitate the development of digital games and applications that promote emotional well-being among adolescents. By bringing together game developers, mental health experts, investors and donors, researchers and youth, Centerstone Research Institute will facilitate the creation of engaging and science‐based digital games that help adolescents learn and use positive psychology skills. a At the holiday season, we hope you will consider making a gift to Centerstone to honor your loved ones. Every donation helps us improve the lives of those affected by mental illness and addiction. Whether it helps someone receive much needed counseling services or ensures a family can receive a holiday meal, know that your gift is making an impact. For more information visit giving.centerstone.org or contact Jeney Slusser: 615.460.4181 / jeney.slusser@centerstone.org CENTERSTONE.ORG
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PROVIDER SPOTLIGHT
Keith Shelly, D.Ph. Keith Shelly, D.Ph., is Director of Pharmacy for Centerstone and Pharmacist in Charge at the Centerstone clinic in Madison, Tennessee. He received his degree from the University of Mississippi and specializes his practice in mental health, working in both inpatient and outpatient facilities since 1985. Keith also serves as an instructor for the University of Mississippi and Belmont University Schools of Pharmacy. He has two daughters, four grandchildren and is married to Lori Shelly, a Centerstone clinic manager.
Why do you choose to work at Centerstone? I have continued my tenure with Centerstone because of the organization’s commitment to provide quality care and positive relationships with my colleagues. What future advances in the delivery of care excite you the most? Without question, the advanced formulations of long acting injectable atypical antipsychotics. These can provide our patients with greater freedom in their daily life by not being tied to a once- or twice-a-day medication regimen. And they inherently improve adherence, resulting in more consistent, positive functioning for some who have struggled to achieve this in the past. What do you do in your spare time? I enjoy driving antique automobiles and am
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Vice President of the Mid-Tenn Model “A” Ford Club. I’m an avid Ole Miss fan, spending as much time as possible there supporting my alma mater. What made you interested in psychiatry? I think it’s the most interesting of fields. And it grows increasingly so as we learn more about the brain and develop psychotropic drugs, as well as new cognitive treatments, that make a real difference in the lives of patients. Centerstone serves many people with a variety of disorders. My association with the company allows me to educate my students in an experience-based way about the struggles that patients face in accessing resources, education and insurance—as well as the stigma, economic distress and family stress they often endure. What has your favorite moment in your career been so far? It’s been a rewarding career. The times when I have seen a patient transformed from a very dreary place to living a mentally healthy life has been precious. What’s a piece of advice that you’ve found useful over the years? Muhammad Ali said “Don’t count the days; make the days count.” Those are words to live by. Describe an ideal day off. Just spending quality time with my wife, Lori. She’s my best friend, and we enjoy doing so many of the same things. She’s awesome! a
Spotlight on Centerstone Pharmacy On-site pharmacies in the community mental healthcare setting provide significant advantages to psychiatric patients. The patient relationship with a pharmacist can provide access to a trusted clinician, better communication, patient education and patient advocacy. Not properly following a medication plan is particularly common in psychiatric patients, and such an issue may be improved with a pharmacy at the clinic site. Many of Centerstone’s behavioral health patients also have any number of physical medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic pain. A new approach to treating these co-occurring illnesses is the “health home” concept of integrated health care. Patient lifespan can be reduced by 15 – 20 years on average when simultaneous mental and physical health conditions are not effectively managed together. Having an on-site pharmacy where primary health care from Unity Medical Clinic is co-located with Centerstone’s behavioral health care can help lower that number. Centerstone is fortunate to have pharmacies at three clinic sites in Tennessee: Madison, Nashville (Frank Luton Center) and Clarksville (Harriett Cohn Center). Keith Shelly D.Ph. is our Director of Pharmacy and has been the Pharmacist in Charge at Madison for more than two decades. He is very familiar with our mission and patient population. Keith notes that “medication compliance is one of the most important factors for our patients to achieve optimal treatment response. By dispensing medication to our patients on-site we not only ensure that they receive their meds, but are also able to evaluate if packaging options would assist in making certain that they are taking the right pill at the right time.” Patients who visit Centerstone and/or Unity Medical Clinic at these three locations should consider the benefits of filling their prescriptions on-site with us as well: •
We are fast and convenient.
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We accept most insurance plans.
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Our prices are competitive; we honor all $4.00 drug lists.
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With access to Centerstone and Unity Medical Clinic providers, we can resolve any medication issues quickly. The coordination of your physical and behavioral health care is important!
•
We can fill your prescriptions from other doctors and nurse practitioners, receiving them by fax, email, phone or directly from you.
•
We can transfer any prescriptions from any pharmacy.
•
We carry over-the-counter items from cough drops and vitamins to allergy medications.
Centerstone Pharmacy is fast, friendly, helpful and here for you! a
Clarksville 931.920.7252 • Madison 615.460.4358 • Nashville (Frank Luton Center) 615.279.6721 CENTERSTONE.ORG
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Comic Book Warns Students against Sexting Centerstone Prevention Services has created a cautionary comic book for kids. Spark and the Sext Message that Nearly Destroys Her is available for free distribution to schools throughout Middle Tennessee and can be read and reprinted at WhoYouWant2Be.org/comic. Written by Centerstone senior media specialist Ian Skotte with illustrations by Andrew Day, whose credits include work for Disney Parks and Nintendo, it warns readers against sexting—sharing sexually explicit messages or images, usually by phone. The 16-page, full-color comic introduces Amber, a high school student by day who becomes the superhero Spark by night. After Amber uses poor judgment in sending her boyfriend a topless photo, she has the image deleted, but not before it falls into the hands of Spark’s archrival, The Recluse. Knowing her dual identity, the villain hatches an evil plan to destroy Amber’s reputation and Spark’s unique powers.
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“Students we work with helped select the topic and the comic book format. They even helped us choose the illustration style and the color of our hero’s costume,” said Hall. “From the many comic-based blockbuster movies, to the growing Comic-Con culture, kids relate more and more to this creative medium where important lessons can be learned.” The Spark plot developed after hearing a Metro Nashville police officer share a heartwrenching story of a young girl blackmailed by an adult into sending him nude photos of her. “It was important for us to make our hero fallible because no teenager is perfect,” added Skotte.
“Nothing is ever truly deleted, my girl!” The Recluse reminds her in reference to the hastily shared personal image.
Prevention specialists at Centerstone will make Spark and the Sext Message that Nearly Destroys Her available to schools and teachers. The comic is also being shared with school counselors, promoted online and has sparked significant media attention. a
Centerstone program coordinator Ashleigh Hall, a Certified Prevention Specialist, explains that creating the comic was a direct result of discussions with Middle Tennessee students.
The publication of Spark and the Sext Message that Nearly Destroys Her was made possible by Grant Number TP1AH000030 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health.
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Kent Crossley Named Executive Director of Centerstone Military Services Centerstone is pleased to welcome Colonel Kent Crossley (retired) as Executive Director of Centerstone Military Services. He joins the organization having served 30 years in the United States Army. In this newly created position, Kent will oversee military-related services across Centerstone. Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, Crossley will help achieve Centerstone Military Services’ partnership objectives and lead its programming and business development. He will also represent Centerstone at military-related events, public forums and via social media as well as engage in major fundraising for Centerstone Military services. Kent’s distinguished military career includes extensive overseas peacekeeping and nation-building missions. He led and supported operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and in Europe. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and U.S. Learn more at Army War College, Crossley has served in multiple command and CenterstoneMilitaryServices.org leadership positions, including Commander of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Ft. Campbell, Ky., Commander of the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade in Portland, Or. and Iraq, Chief of the Center for Army Lessons-Learned in Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., Special Forces Operations Officer in Iraq, and Lessons-Learned Team Leader in Norfolk, Va. “I’m excited to think about our potential as we grow services and meet the needs of those who have given so much for each of us,” said Centerstone CEO David C. Guth, Jr. “I know that Kent will be a great leader. We are excited to welcome him to the Centerstone family and look forward to his leadership of Centerstone Military Services!” Crossley said, “I’m most impressed with how Centerstone Military Services focuses on what is the best mental health treatment for the individual rather than only what is affordable. This is quality health care provided as efficiently and effectively as possible. Treatment is available at little or no cost. Help is available to military veterans and their families; that will inspire hope.” Centerstone Military Services works to ensure that service members, veterans and their loved ones have the resources and support they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives beyond military service. Programming is provided through a variety of initiatives including face-to-face counseling, couples and family counseling, therapeutic retreats, housing assistance, employment counseling, support groups, online resources and 24/7 crisis services. Select grant-based services are offered in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The nationally recognized program Courage Beyond offers free services, and our national counseling services can be accessed anywhere in the U.S. through our provider network. a CENTERSTONE.ORG
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NEWS&NOTES CEO David C. Guth, Jr. (left) and CFO Steve Holman (right), join family members for Centerstone’s diamond 60th anniversary celebration at Nashville’s new baseball stadium, First Tennessee Park.
Maury County inmates show certificates received for completing the InsideOut Dad fatherhood engagement program.
(left to right) Centerstone’s Jenn Waggoner, Dr. Robert Begtrup and Dr. Lynna Hollis celebrate Begtrup’s Health Care Heroes award.
NAMI Tennessee President Leslie El-Sayad presents Centerstone CEO Dr. Bob Vero with the 2015 Professional Award.
Centerstone Celebrates 60th Anniversary Take me out to the ballgame! More than 100 Centerstone employees and family members gathered at the brand new First Tennessee Park in Nashville to celebrate Centerstone’s diamond 60th anniversary. The Nashville Sounds won 2-1 against the Las Vegas 51s. Back at the office, staff also celebrated with cake and received commemorative coffee mugs.
InsideOut Dad® Program Helps Inmates Centerstone’s Prenatal Infant and Early Childhood Services in Maury County is seeing great success with the InsideOut Dad fatherhood 14
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engagement program for inmates. Designed for incarcerated fathers, it reduces recidivism rates by connecting these men to their families, teaching parenting and communication skills and providing the motivation to get out and stay out. Graduates receive a certificate, congratulations from law enforcement and a special meal.
Begtrup Named Health Care Hero Centerstone Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Begtrup received a Nashville Business Journal 2015 Health Care Heroes Award, honoring Music City’s outstanding health care leaders as selected by a panel of industry judges. Dr. Karen
Rhea, Chief Medical Officer for Centerstone, called Dr. Begtrup “an outstanding physician, a true Renaissance man in the field of behavioral healthcare.”
Vero, Rhea Receive Industry Honors Dr. Bob Vero, Centerstone CEO, and Dr. Karen Rhea, Centerstone CMO, were recently honored with top local healthcare industry awards. Vero received the 2015 Professional Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Tennessee, while Rhea was given the 2015 Outstanding Mental Health Professional Award from Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee.
NewsChannel 5 co-anchor Rhori Johnston (left) hosts Centerstone’s Lisa Eggebeen (right) on the OpenLine program. (from left) Senator Jeff Yarbro meets with Centerstone’s board member Dana Oman, Regional Vice President Beth Hail, board member Dr. Vincent W. Durnan, Jr. and CEO Dr. Bob Vero.
Centerstone’s Becky Stoll, Vice President for Crisis and Disaster Management, meets with Dr. Richard McKeon, Public Health Advisor for SAMHSA, in Washington, D.C.
Prevention Services team members celebrate a $10M grant for Teen Pregnancy Prevention with cake!
$10M Grant for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Centerstone has secured a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Adolescent Health to expand its Teen Pregnancy Prevention services. The service line will more than triple its existing coverage area, expanding from Tennessee into Kentucky and Indiana, focusing on teen sexual health for 60,000 youth and teens throughout 85 counties to reduce teen pregnancy rates.
Senator Visits Centerstone Health Home Tennessee state senator Jeff Yarbro visited Centerstone to see firsthand
our recently CARF-accredited Health Home facility where integrated healthcare is practiced with Unity Medical Clinic. Known for his work as a lawyer, Senator Yarbro is also a regular supporter of behavioral health causes.
Stoll Invited to White House Briefing Becky Stoll, Centerstone’s Vice President for Crisis and Disaster Management, was invited by the White House to attend the “Building Partnerships for Suicide Prevention” briefing. An internationally recognized leader in suicide prevention, Becky said, “I’m honored by the White House invitation and excited to represent Centerstone and
the work we’re doing with the Zero Suicide pathway.”
CBS Affiliate Welcomes Centerstone Open Line, a call-in TV program on Nashville’s CBS affiliate NewsChannel5+, welcomed several Centerstone leaders to take behavioral health questions from the public. Lisa Eggebeen, Director for Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention, discussed crisis management strategies in the wake of tragic national events. Dr. Karen Rhea, Centerstone CMO, took calls for World Mental Health Day and spoke about breakthroughs in pharmacogenomics (DNA testing to determine choice of prescription). a CENTERSTONE.ORG
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Centerstone’s Crisis Management Strategies Crisis Management Strategies is a service of Centerstone that helps businesses prepare for critical incidents related to the workplace. From accidents, robberies and threats of violence to natural disasters or a sudden death, having a prepared response plan in place for employees minimizes consequences and maximizes recovery. Our experts provide specialty training tailored to any business as well as crisis management planning and on-site critical incident response.
compensation claims, absenteeism and employee turnover expenses.
Planning & Consultation
Life Wellness Training fosters the development of balanced, healthy employees who are more productive and better equipped to handle the effects of a critical incident. Topics include balancing work and family, dealing with change, substance abuse, etc.
Crisis Management Strategies personnel provide an overall evaluation of a company’s preparedness for critical incidents in the workplace in regards to: • Environmental factors • Employee training • Policies and procedures • Crisis Management plans • Identification of key response personnel • Preparedness drills • Post-incident services
The defining difference between “communication” and “effective communication” during a crisis is failure and success. It is imperative for businesses to focus on effective communication that is strategically planned and tactically executed. Centerstone works directly with businesses to create a crisis communication plan and train staff for response.
Specialty Training Classes draw upon the expertise of Crisis Management Strategies personnel and are offered on an as-needed basis. Customized to the particular services and products of the business, this training addresses a variety of traumatic events that might confront employees.
Post-Incident Care Centerstone’s Crisis Management Strategies personnel are available for on-site critical incident response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our responders are well-trained professionals who bring many years of direct experience into the workplace. Business managers are often unsure how to handle the logistics of a critical incident. Our staff is highly experienced in consulting with businesses on such sensitive issues as crime, disaster and death. We customize post-incident care as necessary—one-on-one sessions, group debriefings, and if needed, follow-up referrals for individuals needing further assistance. a
Training Pre-Incident Preparation Training emphasizes emotional and behavioral preparedness. Employees learn how to handle potentially difficult situations or critical incidents encountered on the job. In turn, a business reduces costs that follow critical workplace incidents: worker’s 16
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Crisis Management Strategies at Centerstone 1-866-696-4267 Centerstone’s Crisis Management Strategies has served National Football League teams and in the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
Building Personal Resiliency after a Tragedy From a shooting on live television to increased reports of international terrorism, it can seem the reality in the USA and around the world is one of increasing indiscriminate violence. Nearly wall-to-wall news coverage can make us feel guarded, even nervous, and that we must anticipate when rather than if something traumatic will happen. In the aftermath of such events, whether experienced firsthand or through the media, it’s common for our focus to be the negative impacts we anticipate. Though natural and healthy, this reaction downplays one of our greatest internal qualities—human resiliency. Resiliency is the emotional strength that helps one recover quickly and bounce back to normal after hardship. It’s a trait that can be applied to virtually any area of life—from the death of a close loved one to minor adversity at work. Sixty percent of people in the U.S. will experience firsthand a traumatic event in their lifetime. Following even the most extreme traumatic incidents, humans more often than not are able to overcome the circumstances. There is substantial evidence indicating that the trauma we experience, although intensely distressing at the time, typically lasts for a relatively short period of time. Only rarely do events lead to a diagnosable issue with long lasting effects. The good news is that resiliency is a personal trait that can be fostered, even built. To become resilient, we must identify ourselves as a priority. Both before and during a tragedy we must commit to taking care of ourselves physically and psychologically in order to improve our
ability to bounce back. Helpful strategies to improve your own resiliency include: •
Pay attention to your body. Adequate sleep, nutrition and exercise are the foundation of your mental health.
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Talk and share with others as you’re comfortable. Speaking out your thoughts is an incredibly positive and powerful tool.
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Avoid isolation. Look for support and build a network you can turn to.
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Allow yourself to be flexible when returning to normalcy—it may not be a straight or quick path.
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Acknowledge that everyone copes differently, and don’t measure your reactions against others’.
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Take time to grieve. Traumatic events often leave us with loss, or trigger memories of past loss, that are best addressed given time and mental space.
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Avoid ways of coping that may negatively impact mental or physical health, including excessive alcohol consumption. These may feel helpful in the short term but degrade your ability to bounce back.
We are all susceptible to tragedy, and each person should expect to be affected by it differently—we will each experience a very personalized response to the incident. But what is clear is that we should care for ourselves, and each other, in the face of adversity. a
by Lisa Eggebeen, LCSW, Crisis Management and Suicide Prevention director at Centerstone CENTERSTONE.ORG
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Manatee Glens, WellSpring Resources Join Centerstone Centerstone has joined forces with two additional organizations to further advance the delivery of mental health and addiction treatment. An affiliation with Manatee Glens (now Centerstone Florida) and merger with WellSpring Resources (Centerstone Illinois) were recently completed under the guidance of Centerstone CEO David C. Guth, Jr.
Centerstone CEO David C. Guth, Jr. and Centerstone Florida CEO/Chief Strategy Officer Mary Ruiz.
Manatee Glens emerged as the leading community behavioral health hospital and outpatient practice in south Tampa Bay. It has a 60-year history working to change the lives of children, teens, adults and seniors who face trauma, addictions, psychiatric illnesses and emotional disorders, serving 16,000 clients each year. WellSpring Resources, founded in 1959, is a total mental wellness resource serving four Illinois counties (Madison, Greene, Jersey and Calhoun). Last year, more than 7,600 people sought to change their lives for the better through its mental health and substance abuse services. “We are delighted to welcome Manatee Glens and WellSpring Resources to the Centerstone family,” said Guth. “Our organizations have a great deal in common. Together, we have tremendous opportunities to grow in the evolving healthcare landscape and transform the lives of more people in Florida, Illinois and across the nation.” Centerstone is one of the largest not-for-profit providers of behavioral healthcare in the nation and now has 157 locations in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee with approximately $210 million in annual revenue. It employs more than 3,100 people and serves an estimated 142,000 individuals. a