Artwork by IC Member, Joann R.
“Go for your dreams! You will be amazed at the power you have.” Lula E.
Monday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Wednesday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM
Lula E. fills her art with thoughts and feelings of wisdom, strength, hope, harmony, love and peace. She hopes that her work will educate others. Growing up Lula loved to visit museums. She has always appreciated art and is an art collector. Lula enjoys reading poetry and writing in her journal as well. “I had not considered myself a visual artist, but I had never really tried. Drawing is something new that I am exploring. It makes me feel free!”, says Lula. She attends the Mending Art workshops and has shared her work in Mending Art exhibits throughout the community. “It keeps me busy and keeps my brain occupied. I find that if I am doing things then I am happier.”, says Lula. She says that the Guest Artists’ visits are really interesting because of how the artists talk about their own art and process. To those who have not had their own experiences with art, Lula states, “Go for it! Don’t be inhibited by it. Go for your dreams! You will be amazed at the power you have. I am a survivor!”
Friday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Food Bank is not available during parties and meetings.
________________ Gus U.
Frank R.
Carol G.
Karen W.
Celebration of Hope Wednesday, May 22nd 1-3 PM 1st Congregational Church 222 W. Main St. Waterbury Light Refreshments will be served.
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Diana S.
Jennifer F.
Congratulations to IC Artists Jennifer Fraser, Carol G. Gee, Frank Richo, Diana Stublic, Gus Useda and Karen Wilkie, on your fantastic Mending Art exhibit at Five Points Annex Gallery! Thank you for sharing your work with us. We hope you will continue to explore your art and use it to inspire and connect with others in the community. I am so proud of each of you and all of your amazing accomplishments. Keep creating! -Amy Smith, Mending Art Coordinator
For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/ctheari ngvoicesnetwork or http://www.hearingvoicesus a.org/ Alternatives to Suicide Support Group 399 Franklin Avenue Hartford Wednesdays 4-5pm http://toivocenter.org/
Photos by Erika Santos
OCD support group http://psychiatry.yale.edu/o cd/patients/support.aspx Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org/
On March 22, 2019 there was a Mending Art reception for six IC Artists at Five Points Annex Gallery, in Torrington. For me it was a spiritual experience. We no sooner walked in when we were gifted (blessed) with a simple yellow tulip still in the bud. There were so many people coming and going as our work was viewed and discussions took place. For me it was so refreshing and exhilarating to have real and honest conversations, not centered in Mental Health per se. One conversation was very spiritual in nature about one of my pieces and another piece that complimented it. Our conversation flowed and was so natural, each of us understanding what the other was saying. I loved when another IC Artist sat in the corner by his artwork strumming his guitar and singing. Later another man came along with his viola and unpretentiously stood and strolled among the viewers playing his viola. I was amazed when the guitar player and the viola player played together as the guitarist threw in vocals from time to time. It sounded and felt wonderful to me an avant-garde experience for sure! When I got home I was inspired to draw my tulip. I had cut the stem down and put it in a blue jar with colored glass stones and water. I did a small drawing in soft pastels then put it in a frame. I can still feel the energy inside and it says do more. The peace and joy is hard for me to put into words except I want more. I also found out that I might be ready to move out into the bigger world to grow and continue to heal and become. Karen W.
Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/ Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org/ Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanony mous.org/ga/ For additional information on Support Groups in Connecticut, visit http://www.mhconn.org/ed ucation/information or call: 1-800-842-1510
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Infoline CT 211 VEYO 1-855-478-7350 Guiding Path Warmline: 1-860-482-1783 or 1-800-314-2680 5pm-10pm 7 days per week National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255 Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline 1-888-999-5545 En Español 1-888-999-8332 Crisis 1-866-794-0021
Dentists in Waterbury Who take Husky Health Staywell Health Center 203-597-9044 South Main Street 203-756-8021 Phoenix Avenue Community Health Center 203-574-4000
Columbia Dental 1-866-645-0111 Statewide # for Opioid (Opiate) Dependence 1-800-563-4086 You will be linked with walk-in assessment centers
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Joseph C. is a returning member. He first joined the IC back at the turn of the millennium, and came back in January of this year. Joseph has struggled with mental health issues and suicidal ideations since his teens. He likes to keep busy, to prevent decompensating and to aid in his recovery. “Keeping busy stops the bad thoughts and keeps my mind on constructive issues.”, states Joseph. He likes to engage in arts and crafts. Some of his favorite mediums are clay, sculpey, drawing, kitbashing and customizing action figures. Joseph recently made a birdhouse called A Very Brady Birdhouse. He advocates at the LOB, participates in the Keep the Promise Coalition and takes part in Mending Art at the IC. Joseph also enjoys writing and hopes to develop his own custom comics. He is thankful for the support he receives from the IC staff and hopes to remain an active member for many years.
In a workshop last month, we talked about the climber Alex Honnold. He was the first person to free climb EL Capitan. El Capitan is a 3,000 feet high rock formation that Alex climbed without a rope or any safety devices. He accomplished the greatest free climbing achievement in the history of the sport. What makes his story so inspirational is that he was homeless at one point and living out of his van. Despite his situation he followed his dream and conquered his fears to do what he believed he could achieve and wanted to accomplish. He focused on his own goal in life regardless of others doubting that he could do it. His dream to climb EL Capitan was bigger than his circumstances and stronger than his fears. Although he is a millionaire now, his reward for following his dream is priceless. So, follow your dreams and conquer the fears and doubts that are holding you back from achieving greatness.
Honor those who have served our country on Memorial Day. Thank a Veteran. Waterbury will hold a parade on May 26th at 1PM.
Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally – it’s important to pay attention to both your physical health and your mental health, which can help you achieve overall wellness and set you on a path to recovery. Did you know that Mental Health America (MHA) founded May as Mental Health Month back in 1949? That means this year marks MHA’s 70th year celebrating Mental Health Month! This May is Mental Health Month and MHA is expanding its focus from 2018 and raising awareness about the connection between physical health and mental health, through the theme #4Mind4Body. We are exploring the topics of animal companionship, spirituality and religion, humor, work-life balance, and recreation and social connections as ways to boost mental health and general wellness. A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help people recover from these conditions. For those dealing with a chronic health condition and the people who care for them, it can be especially important to focus on mental health. When dealing with dueling diagnoses, focusing on both physical and mental health concerns can be daunting – but critically important in achieving overall wellness. There are things you can do that may help. Finding a reason to laugh, going for a walk with a friend, meditating, playing with a pet, or working from home once a week can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy. The company of animals – whether as pets or service animals— can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to recover from illnesses. A pet can be a source of comfort and can help us to live mentally healthier lives. And whether you go to church, meditate daily, or simply find time to enjoy that cup of tea each morning while checking in with yourself – it can be important to connect with your spiritual side in order to find that mind-body connection. Mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal. Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. Finding the balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, physical health and mental health, can help you on the path towards focusing both #4Mind4Body. Mental Health America
This year marks the 70th anniversary of Mental Health Awareness Month, a time of recognition to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. MHC is honoring this tradition by hosting 31 Days of Wellness! The calendar is now LIVE at www.mhconn.org/calendar and full of activities for each day of the month. Mental Health Awareness Month was created in 1949 by Mental Health Connecticut’s national affiliate, Mental Health America, to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. Do you have a wellness activity you’d like to share for Mental Health Month? Let us know at info@mhconn.org. Check the IC Calendar for events and activities celebrating Mental Health Awareness month.
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READ May is officially Get Caught Reading month, but the celebration lasts throughout the year.
During the month of May, National Dental Care Month takes time to remind us of the importance of caring for our pearly whites. Oral hygiene is learned at an early age. Brush twice a day, floss, keep the sugary snacks to a minimum and see your dentist twice a year. That’s what we learn. Beyond childhood, it seems, we forget all we have learned. A healthy smile requires continued healthy habits. Maintaining those habits reduce not only the risks of cavities and infection but the costs associated with long-term dental repairs. If it’s been awhile since your last visit, understand that dentists today appreciate your fears. They will do everything they can to alleviate your anxiety and get your smile back on track. National Dental Care Month brings awareness just in time for a summer full of family reunions, weddings, and vacations – all times when we love to take pictures and smile! So, brush up on your dental care and check up with your dentist. Review your dental care habits. Remember, dentistry isn’t expensive, neglect is. Check in with your dentist to ensure you are maintaining a healthy smile. Make the recommended adjustments to your routine or keep up with the healthy ones you already have! Join Alisa on May 16th, at 11AM, for a Dental Care workshop. There will be some free giveaways! You can also see your counselor at the IC, at any time, for assistance with setting up an appointment.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health workshops will be held the last Tuesday of each month. May’s workshop will be held on the 28th, at 10am. We will be discussing topics such as; the Importance of peer support while overcoming substance abuse and Information about 12-Step Groups (AA, NA) will be shared. I will also be bringing members who are interested to a local Narcotics Anonymous meeting at St. John’s Church, directly following the workshop, at 10:30 am.
Join a book club Visit the library Host a book swap 6
On Tuesday, June 25th, at 10am, the IC will be sponsor a Narcan training that is FREE for both members and staff to attend. Jennifer DeWitt, from Family Intervention Center, in Waterbury, will be facilitating the training. There will be a sign-up sheet located on the dining room bulletin board for anyone interested in attending. For more information about the training or general questions about the Substance Abuse Mental Health Workshops, please see me. Hope to see you all at the next workshop! Thank you! Jessica.
IC Members attend Lobby Days at the Legislative Office Building.
Romi Michael Patricia Jeffrey Maria Judith James Luis Zachary Alexander Pedro Joseph Victoria Mario Jennifer Leslie Joseph Erin Lea
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Join us for Birthday Bash on May 29th at 3PM.
In Memoriam Steve Proto
Congratulations to Joseph C. for winning the KTP, Media Mogul Award.
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Disclaimer: Articles which show “submitted by” are not written by an IC member. They are articles that our members came across, were inspired by, and brought in to the Center to inspire and encourage other members. Often the authors of these articles are unknown. The opinions expressed in the newsletter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Independence Center’s members, the staff, or the Editor.