Great Strides March 2017

Join us at the IC as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! On March 17th, we will have a free corned beef and cabbage lunch. We will also have workshops and activities throughout the day celebrating the Irish culture!

Artwork by IC artist Jose M.

“When you are mindful of your breath and you take nice long ones it helps you calm down.”

- Shawn M.

Mindfulness Workshops Every Monday 11:30 a.m.

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The IC would like to announce that this month’s faces in recovery is Shawn M. Shawn has anxiety and is taking his meds for his anxiety. Shawn says that since he’s become a member here at the IC it has made his journey for recovery a lot easier. He has made many friends here at the IC and loves to be a part of activities, such as his passion for art. He has become more confident using computers and loves to attend any mental health events he possibly can. MHC has not only helped Shawn by providing him the ability to have a clubhouse but Shawn also had help from our vocational program, Choices. While being a part of Choices Shawn was working and making money to help himself and his family. Shawn has recently decided not to work and take care of his ill father.

When Shawn was asked what advice he would give a peer who might have anxiety like his, Shawn replied with breathing! “When you are mindful of your breath and you take nice long ones it helps you calm down.” Shawn is excited to join the IC’s mindfulness sessions to continue learning more about the power of being aware of your breath and being present.

WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) is coming to the IC in March! By attending you will develop a wellness tool box to handle any situation that might come up. You will have a step by step plan on how to deal with issues or crisis as they arise. The class will be held every Friday at 11am.

The last Friday will be a graduation/celebration for those that have completed this class!

Please contact Jayne at the I.C. for more information.

On Feb 6th, Prince William, made an impassioned speech, and said “we all face struggles with mental health.” Every Monday here at the IC we have a current events session where members and staff get together to discuss what current events are happening. One of the topics discussed was the Royal family destigmatizing mental health. One member stated that every country should join and work on getting rid of stigma for mental health! William added, “For Catherine and Harry, their journeys to ‘Heads Together’ (Heads Together a campaign that’s mission is to help people feel much more comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing and have the practical tools to support their friends and family.) were different: Harry predominately through his work with veterans, and Catherine through her work with children and young families. But their conclusions were the same — that mental health needed to be brought out of the dark and destigmatized.” Their hope is to create an atmosphere where the issue can be discussed openly.

For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/cthearin gvoicesnetwork 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 Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org/ Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/ Overeaters Anonymous https://oa.org/ Gamblers Anonymous http://www.gamblersanony mous.org/ga/

At the Independence Center we will be acknowledging International Women’s Day. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Visit the IC on March 8th as we build empowerment posters!

For additional information on Support Groups in Connecticut, visit http://www.mhconn.org/ed ucation/information%20and %20referral/ or call: 1-800-842-1510, ext. 10

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Mending Art will be on display at the Terryville Public Library for the month of March!

It’s got it all- it’s all we’ve got

Stop by, take a look and enjoy a book!

Its all here good, IC artists Terrex C., and Doug N., with Mending Art Coordinator Amy S.

bad, ugly, beautiful.

II’s got it all.

Hopes and dreams, ups and downs.

Cycling and recycling Through lives. With Love and frustration, Peace and war.

We would like to present our member, Vincent W. He was a participant and role model for our smoking cessation group. Vinny joined the group when it was first introduced at the IC, where he learned the benefits of quitting and became smoke free. Vinny explained to us that “when I am smoke free I can breathe better and have a lot of energy!” Vinny plans to join the IC’s smoking cessation group again, but is currently working at his nephew’s barber shop. The IC is proud to say we helped Vinny achieve his goals to be smoke free!

The struggle and the joy To attain It’s got it all What a world

-Walter T.

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IC members testified in opposition to H.B. 7027, An Act Implementing the Governor’s Budget Recommendations For General Government which essentially would impact the DMHAS budget and services/programs that serve our clients.

When Cynthia was two and a half she was encouraged to draw, color and paint. She had physical challenges and needed to stay still because of bandages. Cynthia stopped drawing and painting when she had her children but encouraged them to be creative. When Cynthia came to the Independence Center she began to draw again. She says that art calms her PTSD symptoms down. Art takes away the doubt in her mind and she knows she can do it! Cynthia says that she is “exploring painting again”. Her first painting back was a rainbow. The piece of art Cynthia has chosen to display as Artist of the Month is titled “I’m Growing.”

“Art takes away the doubt in her mind”

On Tuesday, February 21st, the IC held a group called "Acts of Kindness." We wanted to make something and then pass it on to another person for an "act of kindness." We planted flower seeds into a spring bucket. This represented that as the flower grows so does the relationship between the two people.

Everyday there is an act of kindness that is seen here at the Independence Center. Next, we may make an acknowledgement tree to show how kind people are and that kindness doesn't go unnoticed.

Birthdays

March

Sebastien B.

2nd

Derek A.

5th

Jeff P.

7th

Carol G.

9th

James H.

10th

Bryant E.

11th

Dolores B.

11th

Harold W.

13th

Nelson M.

14th

Susan E.

17th

Mariceli P.

18th

Cynthia W.

18th

Manny B.

18th

Kevin F.

22nd

Lynn P.

22nd

Tom F.

23rd

John R.

24th

Rosemarie T.

25th

Steve C.

29th

Kyrstan R.

29th

Malaire L.

31st

Join us for a birthday bash on the 29th at 3:00 p.m.!

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Starting in March.

Take a look at what’s up to come this month and join!

Women’s Group Dates: Every Friday at 10am 3/3: Empowerment Activity 3/10: Make exfoliating scrub 3/17: Recipe exchange 3/24: Design your true self 3/31: Menopause

"Garden Of Beats" has evolved from a few people into sharing the drumming experience with communities everywhere. From day cares to nursing homes, from libraries to night clubs, and from coffee shops to local parks you can find us somewhere spreading our love of hand drumming. "Garden Of Beats" is not about one person, a few people or even a lot of people. It is about all people, of all walks of life, communicating universally through rhythm. Every culture throughout history has had some form of drumming. It is a language we can all understand no matter what our background. In every person there is a heart, in every heart there is a beat, Welcome to our "Garden Of Beats".

Men’s Group Dates: Every Wednesday at 1:30pm 3/1: Intro to Men’s Group 3/8: Empowerment Activity

“It is about all people, of all walks of life, communicating universally through rhythm”

3/15: Building model project 3/22: Emptying the container 3/29: Big boys don’t cry

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Come join IC members and make beautiful jewelry for yourself or a loved one!

Many members have taken advantage of this creative workshop and have something to bring back home with them! IC members come and join us every Tuesday at 11am!

The IC was visited by Jackie Joy, a certified pet therapy dog. Members had the opportunity to interact with Jackie Joy, play games and the LOVE only an animal can share.

Infoline CT 211

What is pet therapy?  Pet therapy can help

reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also increase self-esteem and improve social skills.  Dogs and cats are most

commonly used in pet therapy.  Animals and their handlers must undergo a screening and certification

Logisticare 1-888-248-9895 Guiding Path Warmline: 1-860-482-1783 or 1-800-314-2680 5pm-10pm 7 days per week National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8522

process.

Pet therapy is a guided interaction between a person and a trained animal. It also involves the animal’s handler. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone recover from or cope with a health problem or mental disorder.

Keep an eye on the IC calendar for upcoming dates when Jackie will visit again.

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

Do you need an end of week energy boost? Maybe a boost to get your weekend started? Come join the IC fitness group every Friday at 1:30. Come see how you can get an effective workout without joining a gym or spending hundreds of dollars.

You will be shown how to use everyday household items to incorporate into a workout. Come see how you can use different size canned goods or jugs of water for shaping and toning your biceps, triceps, deltoids and quads. Not sure what any of those muscles are or what they do, then come and find out. You will learn many exercises without the use of weights that you can do throughout the week on your own and in the convenience of your home. Young or old, fitness has no age. So come join us on Fridays!

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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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.

Mental Health Connecticut is thrilled to announce that we’ve been selected as one of the 60 nonprofits across Connecticut to participate in a fundraising tournament called Brackets For Good! This is the only sport for nonprofits and now it’s time to rally our supporters on how they can make a huge impact on Mental Health Connecticut in 2017!

The first round of tournament gets underway the evening of Friday, February 24 th and a championship victory includes a $10,000 donation from the tournament’s title sponsor! Get in the game and help us win: Hartford.BFG.org!

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

Independence Center 21 Church Street Waterbury, CT 0672 Phone: 203-756-5772 Fax: 203-756-9744