Great Strides May 2018

Tuesday May 1st 2017 1-3PM First Congregational Church

222 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT A non-denominational celebration for Mental Health Awareness Month Presented by Western Connecticut Mental Health Network, Waterbury and Mental Health Connecticut’s Independence Center.

Everyone is invited! *The club will close at 1:00 p.m. to attend the Celebration of Hope*

“You have to use your ideas“ -Juan P.

“Designs by the Gardener”, by IC Artist Juan P., displayed a pop up art show at the IC. Members joined in art discussions, dancing, and singing! Juan enjoyed the show and said that it was good that people liked it and gave feedback. He says that it is important for people to really look and ask questions. Juan wanted to share with others how when you really sit down and try you will be able to create. “You have to use your ideas.” says Juan.

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)

Here at the IC, our challenge to members is to see what small steps you can make. Can you attend at least one workshop? Can you take a mindfulness class? Can you drink more water?

Here are some workshops to look out for in our calendar:

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Guest Speakers from Toivo, Safe Haven and CT Transit

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Mental Health Series

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Summer Series

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Look Good Feel Good

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Go Getters

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Mental Health First Aid

And many more take a look at our calendar!

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The IC is celebrating May as the mental health awareness month, with different workshops all surrounding this year’s theme from mental health America, fitness #4mind4body. When we talk about health, we can’t just focus on heart health, or liver health, or brain health, and not whole health. You have to see the whole person, and make use of the tools and resources that benefit minds and bodies together. We’ll focus on what we as individuals can do to be fit for our own futures – no matter where we happen to be on our own personal journeys to health and wellness .

As part of our efforts this May, we’ll be asking people to take the #4Mind4Body Challenge and join Mental Health America as we challenge ourselves each day to make small changes – both physically and mentally – to create huge gains for our overall health and wellbeing.

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may

“What you see is what you get.” says our May Artist of the Month. She says that getting into the studio is the hardest part but once she gets there she enjoys it, it makes her happy, and she feels less stress. She enjoys the Guest Artists who visit Mending Art and was recently inspired to create again after attending another IC Artist’s show.

Our May Artist of the Month’s newest piece was created to express herself in a way that she had never expressed herself before, “I didn’t know how to show it but I figured out what I was doing while I was doing it. I didn’t plan it; it just came out. I hope people look at it and try to understand where I am coming from. People have all different views. I choose to express myself in art.”

Despite how widely available it is, there are still many adults who have never used the internet or even a computer.

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

The IC’s computer lab will offer members the opportunity to participate in this fun and educational hunt! This online scavenger hunt can help you learn more about what you can do online and can help you understand the benefits of knowing how to use the internet.

Alcoholics Anonymous http://www.aa.org/

There will be 2 levels one for beginners and one that is more advanced.

Narcotics Anonymous http://www.na.org/

Come down to the IC visit the computer lab any time in May and try out the scavenger hunt! Those that complete the entire hunt will get a special surprise.

IC Artist Juan P. created a beautiful birdhouse and donated it to the REAcycle Birdhouse Auction. The event benefits Community Partners in Action Culinary Program and Real Estate Agents Recycle, a philanthropic group of real estate agents creating jobs for the underemployed, keeping gently used and recyclable items out of landfills, and helping to end homelessness.

Juan was able to help the community through his art.

Great work Juan!

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%20and %20referral/ or call: 1-800-842-1510

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Infoline CT 211 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 1-800-273-8255 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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Donna completed Advocacy 101 workshops and received a certificate of attendance.

Topics covered were:  What is legislative advocacy  Quick facts about our government  What influences legislators, and  Why my story is important

On March 28th, members attended Lobbying Day at the Legislative office building in Hartford. Though most of our legislators were in session, they were able to leave behind messages and speak to their aides.

This May, in celebration of Mental Health Month, we invite you to join us for our second annual mental health awareness fair. In honor of our 110th anniversary, we are embarking on a year long journey of exploring the positive integration of mind and body health through our #Be1of110 campaign, and as such, this year’s fair will not only represent mental health vendors and activities, but physical health ones as well. The event is FREE to the public and all are welcome!

To register visit our website www.mhconn.org/fair Following the fair will be an exclusive after party for our #Be1of110 Champions and our sponsors. Not a Champion yet, join the movement at www.mhconn.org/ be1of110 today!

Join us on May 21 for:  Wellness activities, products, and information provided by local vendors  Live performances from our #Be1of110 Champions  A special Community Art Project  Free tours of the Park  A beautiful view of the Dunkin’ Donuts Park over looking a local High School

game (weather pending)  Food and beverages for sale from the Yard Goats concession stands  Great giveaways, raffles, and prizes for attendees and much, much more!

Mending Art will have a table at the fair and the IC will be bringing a group of members to attend. If you are interested please see staff.

It’s important to take care of yourself and get the most from life. Below are 10 practical ways to look after your mental health. Making simple changes to how you live doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time. Anyone can follow this advice. Why not start today?

1. Talk about your feelings 2. Keep active 3. Eat well 4. Keep in touch 5. Ask for help 6. Take a break 7. Do something you’re good at

On Wednesday May 2nd at 10am the IC will have an informational session about an exciting opportunity available to members– FREE YOGA classes! Yoga was developed up to 5,000 years ago in India as a comprehensive system for wellbeing on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Yoga is a system, not of beliefs, but of techniques and guidance for enriched living. Learn more by joining us at 10:00 a.m. with David a yogi expert.

8. Accept who you are 9. Care for others 10. Take time to sit with nature

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“Rabbit” by Jose M. is currently on display at Everybunny Counts in Bristol. Everybunny Counts rescues and rehabilitates abandoned and neglected rabbits and provides education to the community about their care. They welcome volunteer support.

Hop on over and check it out!

Members, we have some updates on knitting club. If you haven’t tried to knit and want to start or you want to pick it back up again, the time is now! Our newest member is Joann D. She remembers doing some knitting in the past. She picked it up once again very quickly. Janet G. has made four scarves and still working on more. Knitting club is open for anyone to start. It’s does take time and it’s fun to do alone or in a group. You can pick it up or put it down when you like. The benefits help too. Knitting decreases blood pressure, helps you learn to focus better and you end up with something nice to wear that you made yourself.

Join us for a birthday bash on the 23rd at 3:00 p.m.!

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In a recent article by psychology today it explains why kindness should be a key role in our daily routines. Why do random acts of kindness increase a person’s sense of happiness? Because kindness can promote gratitude. When you are kind to others in need; having that awareness then heightens the sense of your own good fortune. Kindness promotes empathy and compassion; which in turn, leads to a sense of interconnectedness with others. Kindness can forward the will to live in depressed individuals who feel isolated and different; that is why performing volunteer work is so powerful. When you feel connected with others, you lessen alienation and you enhance the sense that we are more similar than dissimilar in our experiences. Feeling connected melds us together rather than divides us. Kindness is potent in strengthening a sense of community and belonging.

Challenge yourself everyday to perform at least one random act on kindness and at the end of each day or week witness your mental health improve!

I am water that the ice has melted, running in the river over rocks, boulders, sometimes running swift, others still and calm, always moving under currents, winding and meandering, returning to the sea. –Written by Karen W. This beautiful piece was created during the workshop Writing with Adam. All those who participated where asked to think about the season of spring, it’s resiliency, and how we are like spring.

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Reach new heights

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There is beauty as far as the eye can see

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Climb beyond your limitations

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Be uplifting

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Savor life's peak experiences

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Rise above it all

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Rock on!

Adam will be back at the IC on May21st, come join us!

IC Artists enjoyed a lesson in watercolors guided by IC Artist, Laurie, during our Mending Art workshop. Laurie taught artists about the materials they need to experiment with watercolor and showed them how to make a wash. As the artists listened, learned, and experimented, amazing images formed on their papers. When the paint dried the artists held up their new pieces and spoke about the process they took to create them. Everyone saw different things in each other’s painting! A great BIG THANK YOU to Laurie for sharing her knowledge of watercolor paint with us!

IC members: Karen W., Christina P., Wayne J., and Rae Ann

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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.

MEMBERS the IC will hold a Mental Health First Aid workshop on May 8th at 1:00 p.m., Join your peers and understand what Mental Health First Aid is!

What is Mental Health First Aid? Mental Health First Aid is a course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness.

Who should take a Mental Health First Aid course?

Mental Health First Aid is intended for all people and organizations that make up the fabric of a community. The course is presented to chambers of commerce, professional associations, hospitals, nursing homes, rotary clubs, parent organizations, social clubs, and other groups. Professionals who regularly interact with a lot of people (such as police officers, human resource directors, and primary care workers), school and college leadership, faith communities, friends and family of individuals with mental illness or addiction, or anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction should get trained.

For more information on MHFA you can visit www.mhconn.org