Great Strides - November 2018

Sunday, Nov. 4th

The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.

Happy Thanksgiving Artwork by IC Program Participant, Michael P.

“It’s nice to have a pop up art show because it can help other people become artists and that will help them with self-esteem” - Koreen S.

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.

________________ Mark your calendars for Writing with Fiona, Tuesday, November 20th, at 10am.

A reminder to our Providers: The IC will be closed on November 6th, for a staff training.

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“It felt good to have my first solo, pop up, Art Show at the Independence Center. I titled my show ‘Hope’. I started drawing several years ago when I joined the IC. Seeing all of my art together and sharing it with others made me feel good. It feels good to draw. I am working on drawings about space now.

It’s nice to have a pop up art show because it can help other people become artists, and that will help them with self-esteem. “ –K.S.

On October 18th , MHC’s, Mending Art Exhibit at Hartford ArtSpace Gallery, which spotlighted both IC and Guest Artists, welcomed the community to come celebrate. Hundreds of visitors came by the reception to explore the gallery, make music, sing, dance, and meet the artists. The IC Artists worked hard in the studio to create their pieces for the exhibit. They also helped frame and hang the artwork, greet Guest Artists, accept art from the community, deliver invitations, prepare reception refreshments, and interview with Channel 8 and Fox 61 news.

We are grateful for all of the volunteer efforts the community offered in support of the exhibit. There were over 120 artists who participated. The artwork included pieces from educators, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury, FISH, StateWide Integrative Medicine Committee, and Hartford Art Connection Studio. One piece of art was selected from the exhibit and interpreted through music and dance by “The End Ensemble”, during the CT Dance Alliance meeting. Contributors had an opportunity to share their stories about how art has benefited their well being, advocate for mental health, and help break stigmas. A big thank you to all who helped make this exhibit possible!

“The experience was excellent! Hopefully we can do it for many years to come. I learned a lot about how to put a show together and had conversations with a lot of new artists!”- Terrex C., IC Artist

“I think the success of the art exhibit was a true testament to the commitment that MHC clients and staff have to using art as a path towards recovery,” says Deborah Lawrence, LPC, CEO, DMHAS -Western CT Mental Health Network.

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/

“I am calling this series of art pieces ‘The Random Art Pieces’. I decided to be a little more carefree with my art. Usually I take time on my work; these pieces were done quickly and randomly and with very little thought. I just started drawing any shape or design that came to mind and went with it. This was enjoyable for me! I call this the random approach to creating art. While creating these pieces of art I found it to be fun, exciting and relaxing. I worked on these pieces on my days off from work. Creating art in this way allowed me to be spontaneous; that is what I was thinking to myself as I was creating these pieces. I was putting to paper the first things that came to mind. I created seven pieces in one day and that was exciting to me! The process of creating so much art in one day is exciting and it also brought me happiness. I usually create at least one or two art pieces in a day, so creating seven pieces in one day brought me extra happiness and excitement!” says Diana.

She has not just been busy working on her art, she has been busy working as a full time employee at Walmart! Diana says that she no longer needs to attend therapy or take medication but that she knows she can if she ever needs to.

“Things are going okay; I still get some bad days but I have coping skills now!” says Diana.

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%20and %20referral/ or call: 1-800-842-1510, ext. 10

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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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Carol says that her religion inspires her. She attends church every day and states that she has a good relationship with God. It wasn’t always so for Carol; she has had to overcome a lot in her life.

After struggling for years with the anger she was feeling, her faith and determination helped Carol to turn her life around. She resisted taking medication for years, and now feels that it is key to maintaining good mental health. Carol has completed a course in advocacy, received a college certificate and published a book, titled Resilience, in which she outlines her road to recovery. Carol states “art makes me feel good”, and she has developed her own, very unique style of drawing. Perhaps her greatest achievement, so far, has been re-establishing relationships with her children and grandchildren. Keep up the good work, Carol, you are an inspiration to many.

Last month in men’s group we talked about how to move mountains. Not literally but in the sense of overcoming obstacles and barriers that come in front of us in our lives. We talked about the importance of believing in our ability and having the confidence in yourself to make it through whatever challenges that one might encounter. The group discussed how this belief and gaining confidence come with time. We all have experienced something in our lives at some point that seemed impossible to handle. We learned ways to make it through those difficulties and reflect on those times to make us stronger. Program participants knew that drawing strength from past accomplishments is one of the ways to nurture their confidence and help a new way of thinking blossom. Once we realize our potential to move mountains nothing will seem impossible.

On October 15, 2018, the Northwest Regional Mental Health Board held a Legislative Breakfast at St. John’s Church. Local representatives and those running against them discussed mental health and substance abuse issues and their plans to support services in the Waterbury area. There was a great turnout and many pertinent issues were discussed. Congratulations to the newly elected officials on November 6th!

Having a yearly date set aside to be thankful is a reminder that being grateful every day matters for both physical and mental health and well being.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that is generally low key, not very commercial and a day to give thanks and be grateful. Of course for some it’s a day to watch football, eat too much and spend time with friends and family, too.

Research has shown that those who have an ongoing tendency to be grateful experience better physical and psychological health and well being.

They tend to be more optimistic, sociable and engaged in life. They are less susceptible to depression, anxiety, anger and other negative emotions that can lead to health damaging behaviors and functioning. In other words, being grateful is good for your health.

Simple Pumpkin Pie Recipe 2 eggs

As we approach Thanksgiving, what are you grateful for? Can you continue to focus on gratefulness even when the holiday is over? Can you make gratefulness a part of your daily experience? Doing the right thing for yourself and others means finding ways to be grateful for all that you have and hold. Try starting your day be reminding yourself that whatever you get day-to-day is a gift and a blessing.

*Psychology Today

1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin puree 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities try to team up to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans.

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It’s also your brain’s main source of fuel.

The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type. But, no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in your blood, and this can lead to serious health problems.

To learn more about diabetes symptoms, prevention and treatment, go to www.diabetes.org.

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees 2.Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until combined.

3.Fit pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish.

4.Pour mixture into the crust.

5.Bake at 426 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake until filling is set, 35-40 minutes.

6.Remove from oven and let cool.

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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 203757-5431.

If you’re looking for your first job, or if it’s been years since your last job hunt, you’re probably not quite sure what to expect on the journey from where you are now (wanting a new job) to where you need to be (getting hired).

The first thing you should understand is that, unfortunately, rejection is almost always a part of the job search process. Be prepared to go through several interviews and rejections before you get a job offer.

So, perhaps the most important job search advice is to never get your heart set on one job opportunity and give up looking for others. No matter how perfect a job seems, how many times an employer interviews you, or how certain you are that you’ll get the job offer, keep looking and applying until you have a firm offer in hand. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps in the job search process, cut into four categories.

APPLYING FOR THE JOB:  Write a resume and cover letter.  Find a job posting that fits your skills, education and what you want to do.  Edit your documents to emphasize how your qualifications match the position.  Submit your documents.

PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS:  Research the employer and find out what you can about their business.  Plan your answers to the most common interview questions.  Create a list of questions you would like to ask them.  Practice talking about yourself, covering topics such as education, accomplishments and skills.  Plan what you will wear to the interview.

In Memoriam—James H.

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INTERVIEWING:  Arrive 5 minutes early and be polite to everyone you meet.  Smile, make eye contact and shake hand when you meet and afterwards.  Answer each question honestly.  Ask questions about the job and the company.  Ask for business cards so you can follow up if you don’t hear from them within the timeframe they indicated.

FOLLOWING UP AND GETTING HIRED:  Send a thank-you email to your interviewer within 24 hours of the interview.  Wait a day or two past the time they said they would be in touch, then contact them to ask about the status of your candidacy.  If you are called in for a second interview, treat it as seriously as you did in the first one.  If you receive a job offer that you want to accept, be sure you and the employer are clear on the salary, start date and other details. *Excerpts from Pongo

Thank you to all of our neighbors who came out in support of mental health awareness.

Jennifer Francis Koreen Michael Michael Brenda Belinda Vanessa Anthony Michael Beverly Thaddeus Shawn Patricia Erica Nimar Carlos Theresa Anbel John Germarr

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Join us for a birthday bash on the 28th at 3:00 p.m.!

Cigna, Webster Bank, Rep. G. Reyes, Sen. J. Hartley, The Waterbury Police Dept., MarVic Cleaners, The Raw Deal, Joh Bale Bookstore, The Art of Yum, Subway, Tony’s Men’s Store, Family Dollar, Walgreens, JC Nail Salon, The Market Place, Louis’s Pizza, Starbucks, UCONN, The Record Shop, Wellmore, Street Style Barber.

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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.

save the date!

The Annual IC Holiday Party will be held on December 13th.