Great Strides, December 2018

May your days be merry and bright

Join us December 13th, from 1PM-3:30PM, for the annual IC Holiday Party!

Artwork by IC Program Participant, Jennifer F.

Mending Art, by the IC Artists, will be spotlighted at the Terryville Public Library for the month of December. Stop by, take a look, and read a book!

Monday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Wednesday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Friday 10:30AM-11:00AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Food Bank is not available during parties and meetings.

________________ Share your gift of art with others this holiday season.

Please see Mending Art Coordinator, Amy, if you would like to gift your art piece to another.

Wrapping paper will be available at the IC.

Join Jayne for Jewelry Making this month to create some great holiday gifts. Supplies are available. Check your December calendar for dates and times.

2

Writing is an art! Robin L. wrote, illustrated, and published her book Lucy and Ben. Since the publication of Lucy and Ben, the book has been spotlighted in numerous exhibits and Robin has held a book talk at the Prospect Public Library. She has enjoyed sharing her book with the community and looks forward to future projects. Robin has begun thinking about what her next book will be!

Three-year-old Lucy and eight-year-old Ben live with their mother, who has bipolar depression. The book, which is semiautobiographical, shows how the children cope with their mother’s illness. In the beginning, Ben picks up the slack as their mother’s latest episode begins. Nana makes her entrance, and soon Mommy is in the hospital.

Nana is a strong character. She not only takes care of their physical needs but their psychological needs as well. She is there to hold things together with lots of love and understanding. Nana explains to Lucy, in terms that she can understand, why Mommy is sick. She lets Ben express his anger and loneliness, soothing him as best as she can.

When it is time for Mommy to come home, Lucy is full of excitement and joy as she rides home from nursery school. She runs to her mother, elated that Mommy is home. Ben, however, is not so happy to see his mother as he gets off the school bus. He expresses his anger, and Mommy is quite understanding. Soon, he hugs her, and his anger begins to melt. There is a big family hug, and the healing begins.

Lucy and Ben can be found at: Trafford Publishing at www.trafford.com , AMAZON at www.amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble at www.barnesandnoble.com

The IC is creating happy holiday cards for veterans and individuals in the local nursing home and shelter.

Let us know if you want to help. Your greetings will bring smiles to many. Please speak with Alisa for more information.

IC Artists attended Mental Health Connecticut’s, Art of Wellbeing: A Time to Dance, at The Cabaret Theatre of Mohegan Sun. This year the award-winning Judy Dworin Performance Project (JDPP) performed. JDPP’s ensemble cast included formerly incarcerated and professional artists showing the impact of giving voice to populations who have been silent or unheard.

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/ OCD support group http://psychiatry.yale.edu/o cd/patients/support.aspx

It was an inspiring evening full of hope! Congratulations to IC Artist, Jennifer F., for having her art spotlighted during this event!

Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org/ Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/ Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org/

A big thank you to new media artist, Balam Soto for his wonderful presentation to the Mending Art members.

Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanony mous.org/ga/

For additional information on Support Groups in Connecticut, visit http://www.mhconn.org/e ducation/information or call: 1-800-842-1510

3

This is Victor’s story…

Ham, Eggs and a Warm Hug 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

The Open Door Club, in reality, was just another home group that had run out of time but not out of hope. It was held in a hall, like any other club, on Freight Street across from a television station. The rent needed to be paid. Coffee, cream, sugar and snacks had to be bought.

That home group was of service to thousands of alcoholics for over a decade or more. When I first showed up, I was greeted with a unique warmth and hug only an AA member can show to another. It was a group I wanted to be part of. It was just to meet up with my friends and enjoy the AA camaraderie.

One thing that was special about our meeting was that it had its own kitchen. The members would play pool and get a little bite to eat. You’d pay a couple of dollars for ham and eggs on a hard roll. At noon, it was always a full house. People from all over the area showed up.

I recall the experience, strength and hope expressed by the members there. And the faces, who can forget the faces? These were faces that always greeted newcomers like me. Then there were members with problems of family, probation, relapses and those who just never quite made it. In this group, we often got to see a beginning, a middle and an end to things.

A fine example was Sara. She grew as a person as the message touched her. She had grown up on an air force base. In time, she would go from being a supportive AA member to serving as our delegate. Then there was Motorcycle Mike, who practically rode with liquefied experience, strength and hope emanating from his partly chromed, V-twin, “Knucklehead” motorcycle.

One of my favorite memories about the Open Door was the great talent night they put together one evening. There were a couple of drum sets, a few adjustments to the lights, a microphone. Then it was time for the solo guitarists to play, as well as a local sober band called “Hearing Voices”. There was also some poetry and an AA comedy act. As musical and ludicrous as our home group was that evening, it all felt in accord with the Twelve Traditions.

Eventually, the building and our home group had to close its doors. The carwash downstairs bought the building. Its many dedicated members would go to other meetings as another chapter in the annals of AA meeting came to a close.

At the Open Door, I learned my higher purpose in life. I learned the importance of unity and how to pass the baton to the newcomer. AA meetings are born from ashes, then burn again with life, then die. I never take my meeting for granted.

I will always remain grateful for the Open Door, its members and all the great memories. Oh, yeah...and the fun door prizes!

- V.B.

4

Victor, thank you for sharing your journey with us.

During the holiday season, many look forward to festivities with friends and family.

But for others, this time can bring on or worsen stress, anxiety and depression.

Here are some coping tips you can use to manage these challenges.

STAY IN THERAPY: Although the holiday season is overwhelmingly busy, do not cancel your therapy sessions to make time for other activities. The holidays can bring up difficult emotions. If you can, keep your scheduled therapy sessions to ensure you have built-in time to explore anything that comes up.

MINDFULNESS: In addition to professional mental health care, mindfulness meditation can be a valuable mental wellness tool. Certain practices can be particularly helpful if you are traveling or running on an unusual schedule.

DON’T RELY ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL: While the prospect of escape can be appealing, substance use can ultimately worsen your issues. There is a 20% overlap between people with anxiety or mood disorders and substance use disorders, and substances can exacerbate symptoms. When you feel you need a relaxation aid, you can instead turn to a mindfulness tactic or other healthy coping mechanisms.

SOAK UP THE SUN: Some struggle with depression during the winter months because of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Exposure to bright lights, including fluorescent lights, can help ease symptoms. Even for those without this form of depression, walking outside in the sun can be an effective centering and calming tool. Numerous studies have pointed to the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, including stress relief, better concentration, lower levels of inflammation and improved mental energy.

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: Another major source of anxiety, stress and depression around the holidays can be examining accomplishments from the past year. Some may experience negative feelings over not being at a place they feel they “should be” in life. Get yourself out of this space by adjusting expectations and setting realistic goals. For example, if you’re trying to establish an exercise routine, try setting a goal of taking a walk three times a week rather than every day.

Managing mental illness is always challenging, but it can be particularly difficult during the holiday season. While the struggle can feel isolating, remember that you are far from alone. Seek help from professional mental health services, maintain your self-care routines and include mindfulness practices into your days as you approach 2019.

CMHA

December is also observed for another, lesser know reason: It is the Universal Month for Human Rights. The Universal Month for Human Rights began in 1948, when the United Nations wrote up a document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. .

The very first article of this declaration makes it clear what the purpose is. It states: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

One of the most important things you can do throughout the course of this month – and even beyond – is to find common ground with the people around you. We must remember that all human beings were born into the same world we were and that, despite our differences, we must learn to function here together.

Take the time to learn about another culture that is different from yours – perhaps a culture that makes you nervous or uneasy.

Research their history or perhaps make a new friend that is a member of that culture. You’ll start to see quickly how similar all people really are. You’ll start to see just how important it is that everyone be treated with dignity and respect.

Join Derrick and Jose, on December 26th, at 2PM, to discuss how other cultures celebrate the holidays.

5

Have you been trying to find employment or start school? Need assistance with a resume, interview prep, applications, financial aid and more? Choices and Lifelong Learning Supported Education can help! Contact an Independence Center staff member, your clinician, or Choices at 203-757-5431.

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services came out to review Lifelong Learning Supported Education program in October. We are happy to announce that Maria, MHC Education Specialist was recognized for her outstanding advocacy and encouraging Supported Education services. Maria always believes in her participants and their dreams to education. Please join us in congratulating Maria and the Lifelong Learning Supported Education program in an awesome state review! Thank you for your service!

Honor Roll

The 1st Congregational Church will be sponsoring Christmas Dinner from 12noon-2pm on Christmas day for Greater Waterbury area residents. No reservation required; WalkIn. No fee for dinner, but will accept monetary donations. If homebound and living in downtown Waterbury, church will deliver a meal, but person must pre-register. Register for delivered meals week of December 11-15.

6

Choices is happy to announce in September and October, we had 8 referrals to the program, 2 participants had an interview, 2 participants started a new job, and 3 participants started their journey towards employment! LLSE is celebrating 2 new school starts, 2 participants started their journey towards education and 9 new referrals!

Congratulations!

IC Program Participants recently participated in the Legislative Essentials Training in Hartford.

Lawrence Melody Lucas James Laura Asia Victor Jose Kara Ricardo Frank Louise Donna Zafar Linda Carmen Juan Debra Conor Leonard

T T H W D O B F P R G L L K C C P J M S

12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

01 03 06 07 09 10 11 12 12 13 14 17 18 18 18 21 23 24 26 27

Join us for a birthday bash on the 26th at 3:00 p.m.!

Be your own Celebrity Last month in Men’s Group we talked about how celebrities are placed in special categories that makes it seem like they are better than us. We follow their lives from TV shows to magazines stories. We know more about them than we do ourselves sometimes. So, the topic was brought up to treat ourselves like celebrities. Put yourself in a special category. Tell yourself that you are special and you deserve to have good things in your life. Celebrities are entertainers, your life is just as fascinating as theirs. We talked about how important it is to follow our own lives and putting as much interest in it as we do theirs. We all are famous and stars in our own way. You don’t need a TV show or millions dollars to realize how special you are. So, the next time someone talks about a famous person or a celebrity remind them how famous and special they are and you’d rather hear about them.

7

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.

Join Alisa on January 2nd, and create your own positive affirmations for 2019.