Happy Thanksgiving
Monday 10:30AM-11AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Wednesday 10:30AM-11AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM Friday 10:30AM-11AM and 1:30PM-3:30PM
Join us in congratulating Patrick on his retirement from Stop and Shop after working for 22 years! Patrick’s advice to everyone working and looking forward to retirement is “just hang in there!” Patrick was a dedicated member of the Stop and Shop team and will be missed by his coworkers! We asked Patrick what he is looking forward to doing now, he said “I’m going to relax, visit family in Florida, focus more on singing in my choir and do more relaxing.”
(Food Bank is not available during parties and meetings.
Last month during current event members discussed an incident that happened between a celebrity and the paparazzi. The incident was that the celebrity struck the photographer with his truck when the photographer refused to give the celebrity his space. This opened up the discussion on personal space. So, what is our personal space? We view our space as a part of us. It is a part of what we call our self. It gives us a feeling of security. It gives us the 'space' to breathe. It keeps others away from us, keeps them at a distance. It allows us to live. In a way our space gives us a no-go zone. It gives us a way to keep other people at bay. It can keep us safe and secure in the world. It enables us to operate in the world. It allows us comfort in our life. IC Artists shared a Mending Art visit with the Boys and Girls Club of Waterbury. The children shared their amazing mask creations! Their masks transformed the studio into gymnasts , butterflies, dragons , jokers, and ponies!
2
Members concluded the group discussion with agreeing that each individual owns his/ her own personal space and boundaries should be set and respected.
“Art is therapeutic; it helps keep me focused” says Erin. She often draws images of trees, houses, flowers, sunshine, circles, spirals, and tunnels in her sketchbook. Erin likes to use markers and crayons, her favorite medium is the black sharpie marker. Erin says that sharing her art with others in the Mending Art group and then in art shows in the community is something she feels good about. “It’s like achieving a goal! Art gives me confidence in myself.” says Erin.
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
During acts of kindness we discussed the holidays approaching, and with Thanksgiving being one of them we decided to highlight what we are thankful for: What are you thankful for this year? Terrex C. - “I am thankful to be alive, all the bad weather and gun violence.” Adriano T.- “I am thankful for a place to live, some people are homeless.” Judy W.- “I am thankful for everything, children, grandchildren and husband.”
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/
Vanessa M. - “ I am thankful for my support system and my health.”
Robin L. – “I am thankful for my book recently published.” James G. – “I am thankful for Jesus.” Carol F. – “I am thankful for a place to go- the IC.” Cynthia W. – “I am thankful for the food on Thanksgiving.” Sue M. – “I am thankful for a good life, the IC, having a job, being with my significant other.”
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
Ana M.- “I am thankful for getting my son back soon.”
3
The IC’s annual walk this year focused on awareness in the community. Local business neighboring the IC came out to support Mental Health CT and mental wellness. Members held signs throughout the walk encouraging community members to “Honk for mental health” and show that “mental health matters.” Walk participants handed out Max’s to people as they passed by and the support from the community was overwhelming. The IC would like to give a special thank you to our neighbors for their support: Mar-Vic Cleaners Inc.
Louie’s Pizza
Minute Man Press
The Palace Theater
John Bale’s Bookstore
Waterbury Police
Subway Grand News
4
Department
Koreen S.
11-02
Belinda D.
11-04
Vanessa Z.
11-05
Anthony T.
11-06
Michael J.
11-07
Beverly B.
11-08
Shawn M.
11-09
Theresa C.
11-19
John G.
11-28
Germarr E.
11-29
Here’s what some of our members had to say: “It was very cool, I loved how people in their cars beeped their horns to represent their support for mental health!” - Sue Max. “I had so much fun walking with my peers and watching everyone else support us!” - Nazmi A.
Join us for a
“It was marvelous!” - Chris B.
birthday bash
“Knowing our community and our neighbors support us and are there for us made this years walk that much better!” - David S. “It was very sensational! It felt so good seeing our fellow neighbors outside cheering us on and giving the community little Max’s to have” -Cynthia W.
November 29 at 3:00 p.m.
5
Friday, November 17th at 2:30PM, IC members are welcome to join us for a solo display of art and an artist talk by IC Artist Cynthia Williams (pictured below, right). Refreshments will be served.
Please join us for the Opening Reception of WCMHN- WA Creative Arts Show and Sale on November 8th! This show is open to artists, their family, friends and providers. Art will be on display through December 13th. For more information, please contact Amy Smith, Mending Art Coordinator.
6
This piece (left) is titled “Beautiful Expressions.”
Self-help materials can provide valuable education and support for Veterans who may be facing mental health challenges, their friends and family members. There are a wide variety of self-help materials available and it can sometimes be difficult to select the most useful. VA has assembled a list of reviewer-recommended materials that may be helpful in finding the right option for you. For help in finding these materials, please visit http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov Remember to thank those that served and are serving our country, Veteran’s Day will be celebrated on November 11th.
IC advocates attended the Keep the Promise Coalition meeting last month and topics discussed were: KTP By-laws, an incident that occurred at Whiting Forensic Division of CT Valley Hospital, Service Reduction as a result of budget issues/cuts. the Legislative Session and preparation for 2018, as well as other issues that are being addressed around the state. The next meeting will be November 15th in Middletown. See Debbie if you would like to attend and/or become an advocate for the Independence Center!
Mental Health Connecticut invited members of the community and arts enthusiasts to attend the free opening reception of the “Mending Art” Exhibit on Thursday, October 12th at the Hartford ArtSpace Gallery which kicked off a month-long art exhibit. Refreshments, live music, and a real-time creation of an illustration celebrating the exhibit took place. The “Mending Art” Exhibit brought together 60 artists (members and staff) from the Mending Art program at Mental Health Connecticut’s Independence Center based in Waterbury and 40+ artists from across the state. Contributors included individuals of all ages and backgrounds who heard the open call to exhibit as well as artists who are members of other organizations, such as the Veteran’s Art Foundation and St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury. “The Mending Art Exhibit is a united celebration of Connecticut artists and artists from the Independence Center. The exhibit holds a story of community coming together to show the importance of the arts in their lives. There is an undeniable power of the arts that we witness on a daily basis in the studio at the IC. For many of our artists, sharing art is the next step in their recovery. Visitors quickly recognized and appreciated the beauty, creativity, meaning, and talents of the artists’ works,” said Amy Smith, Mending Art Coordinator. Each unique work explores the artist’s connection to health and wellbeing through art. Many of the artists live with a mental health condition. They have found art to be beneficial in their self-care and an important component in personal expression. A variety of medium were represented at the show, from sculpture and paint to photography and mixed media. “The Connecticut Community Foundation is excited to support Mending Art as a part of its Arts & Culture grants program. Under Amy Smith’s guidance, this effort has quickly grown in size and scope, providing a special opportunity for its many participants. The creative spirit of the Independence Center’s artists, expressed and then shared with the broader community, demonstrates art’s unique power to engage the imagination and foster greater understanding,” said Josh Carey, Grants Management Director for the Connecticut Community Foundation, Mending Art’s source of community-based support.
Every year, on the third Thursday of November, smokers across the nation take part in the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout event. Encourage someone you know to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting – even for 1 day – smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk. Come to the IC to receive valuable information, CO2 readings and educational opportunities.
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.
PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE
Independence Center 21 Church Street Waterbury, CT 0672 Phone: 203-756-5772 Fax: 203-756-9744