Great Strides, October 2017

Come down to the IC for our annual walk! Raise awareness, catch up with your peers meet, some of the providers who will be attending our event and have some fun!

Join us Thursday, October 5th, at 10:30 a.m. (rain date October 6).

We will provide a free lunch, water, and an MHC tote bag to our participants! Information on depression screenings and mental health will be available to the public

“I like to come here and help the IC out because you guys help me.”

-Alex K.

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 (Food Bank is not available during parties and meetings.)

Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton welcomed Mending Art artists Jennifer F. and Cynthia W. to visit and share their art. The residents enjoyed looking at the sketchbooks and portfolios that the artists brought. The artists shared stories with the residents and the residents shared stories with the artists. Everyone was inspired by the visit and is looking forward to the next!

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The IC would like to announce that this month’s faces in recovery is Alex K. Alex has been a member for 4 years. Alex likes to come to the IC because he has somewhere safe to go where he can be with his peers. Alex likes to listen to music, “it helps me calm down.” Music has a unique link to our emotions, so it can be an extremely effective stress management tool. Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies. Music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones. When Alex was asked what he liked most about the IC he said, “I like to come here and help the IC out because you guys help me.” He informed us that going grocery shopping here with staff is a way of contributing to the center.

Last month in currents events we talked about how the summer is coming to an end and fall is about to begin. The seasons will always change and the only thing you can do is be prepared. During the fall and winter months the days are shorter and it gets dark fast. Staff and members spoke about planning activities or shopping times to be earlier during the day. This way you can enjoy the sun while its out and make it home before it gets dark. Members suggested to listen to the weather report and dress appropriately for the day.

One member suggested to begin getting winter clothes together now and see what you already have and what you might need. This way you can get items you might need slowly and it will not be a big burden on your budget trying to get everything all at once.

Members discussed doing some meal planning for the cold winter days ahead. “Things like hot soups are always a perfect choice!” said one member during the discussion. The transition over to the different season can be fun and exciting if you are prepared for it.

“I like to make my paintings with many meanings, open to people’s ideas and thoughts. With lots of colors I create my own world. I imagine the world I want to live in like God himself. I love art but I did not always do so. When I was in school I gave up art because people destroyed all I had made. It was sort of like a locust on a farmer’s field of corn or wheat. The Independence Center on the other hand has given me new hope and that is why I paint.”

–Daniel M.

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/

It is easy to have a positive mindset when we can clearly see that we are capable of achieving a desired outcome. So when things are really challenging and someone is able to remain positive, it simply means that they haven’t given up and are working on the solutions that they see are still possible!

Thinking positively means that we see the possibility within any given situation to achieve a desirable outcome. When thinking positively, we hold ourselves capable of attaining success and responsible for our results because we see what we are truly capable of! This month’s acts of kindness members got together and wrote or drew positive words or symbols that can make someone feel good. The goal of the project was that whatever you read within the art, we hope that it provides an opportunity to check in with your own thinking and see how the positive words apply to your day and life.

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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During Mental Illness Awareness Week on Oct. 1-7, 2017, the IC is raising awareness of mental illness. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the movement grows stronger.

We believe that mental health issues are important to address year-round, but highlighting them during #MIAW provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of the tens of millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

“Get your walking shoes ready!”

Get your walking shoes ready!

Each October, members and staff of Mental Health Connecticut’s (MHC) rehabilitation resource center, the Independence Center (IC), gather together to promote health and wellness while raising awareness around mental health in the Greater Waterbury community. For over 20 years, these individuals have held the Annual IC Walk during the first week in October in conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week. The event brings together MHC staff and clients for a walk around Waterbury’s downtown district and shows the community that with the support from staff and peers as well as active participation in program offerings, members can achieve recovery and better engage with their communities.

Join us Thursday, October 5th, at 10:30 a.m. (rain date October 6). To learn more about the IC Walk, call the IC or visit https:// mhconn.networkforgood.com/projects/35095-2017-ic-walk.

Mending Art will be on display at the Prospect Public Library from October 3rdOctober 31st. Stop by, take a look, and read a book!

Join us on Friday, October 27th at 2:30PM for a visit to the library. Robin L. will be sharing her new book Lucy and Ben! Please see Mending Art Coordinator, Amy Smith, to sign up!

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“I went on vacation to Jersey City to see my son and granddaughter because she is going to college. Across the street from my son’s house is a place called Collaborative Support Program of New Jersey. My son had been framing the certificates I’ve earned and it started the conversation with a counselor at CSPNJ. The art teacher had just started maternity leave so they asked me to step in and run the art class while I was there, I was there for two and a half weeks!

Of course I said yes! I wouldn’t pass up that opportunity. I had just helped run an art class at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Waterbury with Mending Art and knew I could do it! The experience was amazing. Everything just flowed. People have got to see new things and be loved. I would ask them simple questions like “What do you like?” and they would say “Basketball, fruit, flowers, hearts, fish”. They would paint these things. I would bring in snacks like crackers, cheese and grapes. I saw a positive change in a lot of people, they had the most people they have ever had participating! They want me to come back and volunteer and work for them. It was an amazing opportunity. I’m stepping into my place and art is it. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s because it’s mine.” –Cynthia Williams

IC Artists brought tables, easels, paints, brushes, and canvas outdoors to paint with the Waterbury visitors and residents. The collaborative paintings reflect so much beauty in this community. Join us for our next paint day.

Carlos C.

10-02

Mark B.

10-03

Joseph M.

10-03

Larry J.

10-05

Patrick D.

10-05

Nazmi A.

10-07

Raymond B.

10-08

Amelia

M.

10-08

Alexander C.

10-08

Zulma V.

10-10

Chris C.

10-11

Scott M.

10-11

Maria M.

10-12

Francis G.

10-13

Christian D.

10-14

Roberto R.

10-15

Louis L.

10-16

Lucien N.

10-17

Laquetta T.

10-20

Valerie

B.

10-21

Robert

L.

10-21

Tom K.

10-21

Richard S.

10-23

Bill T.

10-24

Loyal G.

10-24

Jennifer B.

10-25

Paul S.

10-27

LouAnn L.

10-27

Michael P.

10-28

Geraldine P.

10-28

Stephen S.

10-30

William D.

10-30

David G.

10-31

Eugene

From left to right: Gian-Carl Casa - President and CEO of The Alliance, Cynthia W. - IC Artist and Luis Perez - MHC’s President & CEO

B.

10-31

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Take a Screening. Everyone experiences stress, sadness, and anxiety from time to time, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or unable to do the things you once enjoyed, it may be time to assess your emotional health.

If you or someone you know may need a mental health assessment, anonymous online tools are available. For National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 5, you can get a free mental health screening at HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org.

WCMHN is preparing for the Creative Arts Show!

If you are interested in participating please contact Mending Art Coordinator, Amy Smith.

September Birthday Bash

October 25th 3:00 p.m.

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Congratulations to Robin L. for writing, illustrating and publishing her first book Lucy and Ben! Robin L. had a story idea in her mind and was determined to write it down and share it. Robin made time to write her story and soon began drawing illustrations for her book at the Independence Center. Robin L. received the Dream Makers Grant from WCMHN and was able to publish her work!

Robin writes “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.” Robin will be sharing her book this fall at the Mending Art exhibit at Hartford ArtSpace Gallery on October 12th, Prospect Public Library on October 27th, and WCMHN Creative Arts show on November 8th. The book can be found online at Trafford Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Robin looks forward to sharing her book with the community. Keep your eyes open for future book signings with this author! If you are interested in hosting a book talk with Robin please contact Mending Art Coordinator, Amy Smith.

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is proud to announce its Fifth Annual Art of Wellbeing: An Evening of Jazz, Hope, and Healing to take place on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. at The Cabaret Theatre of Mohegan Sun.

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 1-800-273-8522

This year’s event will feature special guests Jimmy Greene (left) and Nelba Márquez-Greene (center), two inspirational and remarkable members of the Connecticut community. Jimmy and Nelba are the parents of Ana Grace whose life was taken during the tragedy in Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012.

Connecticut-born, jazz musician Jimmy Greene will play music from his recent Grammy® nominated release. Through an intimate discussion, led by New England News Collaborative and WNPR’s John Dankosky (right), Jimmy and Nelba will share their experience of the power of healing through music and personal expression and how the Márquez-Greene family promotes love, connection, and community to honor their daughter, rebuild their lives, and impact the lives of those around them. Visit www.accelevents.com/events/ AWB17 for more information.

“I’m your neighbor from Waterbury” On September 7th many came together at the State Capital for a rally to protect nonprofit services. IC members attended to let their voices be heard.

The Independence Center Advocates are gearing up for the 2018 Legislative Session! Next KTP meeting October 18th 1012. See Debbie for more details.

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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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 us Thursday, October 12th between 2pm-7pm for the Mending Art exhibit at Hartford ArtSpace Gallery, located at 555 Asylum Street, Hartford.

IC Artists will be exhibiting with guest artists who know the benefits of art and wellbeing. Art will be on display at the ArtSpace Gallery through October 23rd.

For additional viewings please contact Mending Art Coordinator, Amy Smith, to schedule an appointment.

PLEASE PLACE STAMP HERE

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