Artwork by IC Member Lea D.
Toivo is a peer-run, non-profit initiative that includes statewide classes, workshops and a center for holistic healing and stress management. Staff from Toivo come to the IC once a month to share a variety of Holistic Healing modalities. Come join us and Toivo at the IC to experience new ways to improve your well being on Monday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m.
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
“When I’m painting I’m relaxed and
stress free. I believe painting inspires people to be the best that they can be. It gives me hope and lets me know that I can accomplish my goals even when I think I can’t.” – Jeanette, IC Artist “Drawing has helped me in my treatment for mental health. I feel it is a way to communicate my feelings with others. Drawing has helped me through some of my darkest and happiest times of my life, and I enjoy sharing and helping others with my work.” – Jennifer, IC Artist
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As a recent arrival to Mending Art, October’s Artist of The Month Ted O, is a Waterbury native artist whose medium of choice is words. His admiration for great writers like Mark Twain and Dr. Seuss, plus his ability to create many stories led him to become a recently published writer! The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of UCONN’s publication “Voices & Visions” includes Ted’s short story: “The Holy Water Lighting Storm.” Accompanying the story is a piece of his artwork done in colored pencils. While spending Wednesday mornings attending Mending Art workshops Ted plans to make it a goal to learn how to paint and to start illustrating more of his writing. His long term goal is to write a screenplay! “Writing helps me be a better listener,” says Ted. It helps him with life skills such as meeting deadlines. Ted would like to be the author of the “Great Waterbury novel,” as his interests in history influence a lot of his writing. Currently Ted is working on his next piece of writing, a Waterbury based ghost story. If you are at the IC, stop by the bistro and take a look at Ted’s artwork and short story this month.
Mental Health Connecticut’s Independence Center (IC) presents: “Mending Art” An Exhibit with IC Artists and Guests Hartford ArtSpace Gallery 555 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT. 06105 Opening Reception: Thurs., October 17, 3:00—7:00 p.m. Exhibit open October 5 – 27, 2019
-artwork by IC artist Frank R. For additional viewing times please contact Art Director, Amy Smith at 860-856-7291 or ASmith@mhconn.org
Mending Art celebrated the artistic journey of IC artist, “Ghost” , on Wednesday August, 21 2019 with a “Pop Up” art show! On display were his original pieces of artwork spanning over a time frame of 3 years. Visitors were inspired by the visible growth from his first sketchbook drawing of cubes, lines and 3D shapes to some of his most recent work. Which showcases his profound eye for perspective. “It’s magical to see the 3-year difference” a guest shared. Working with the natural creativity that exists inside of him, drawing is something Ghost began fairly recently with Mending Art. His first medium of choice throughout his life has been music and songwriting. During the pop up show he played and sang some of his own compositions on the guitar, an instrument he began playing as a teen. We even had a little dance party during one of his performances! During the presentation he shared: “The difference with music and poetry is that it comes right out. With visual art, I have to spend more time with it, think about it and fix it. It’s taught me patience and perseverance. It’s a matter of taking my time.”
For people who hear voices: www.facebook.com/ctheari ngvoicesnetwork 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/
Gus U., “Ghost”
While guests enjoyed refreshments and viewed pieces from a series titled “Imagined Landscapes” the artist shared some insight on his process for the bright and intricately detailed scenes. “I makes lines and from those I imagine something else” Explaining how scribbles can become rocks and curves become colorful whimsical trees. With every drawing it shows something different that he learned from the last one. “It’s the encouragement that makes a difference” He says.
Some guests who attended the pop up art show said: “When I look at your work, your inviting us on a journey, they’re reflective. They feel magical and mystical. It’s very calming and inviting.” “Each one is different and your light shines through” “This shows that everyone’s different, everyone has a message and creativity. You have real artistic talent” When asked about how it felt having people come together to view and discuss his pieces of artwork Ghost said, “They really meant what they said. When someone says that my work inspires them it makes me feel really good... I’m not trying to impress; I’m trying to express. I’m not looking for fame, just acknowledgement, honest acknowledgement. I got that from my pop up art show.”
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 or call: 1-800-842-1510
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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
Romi C. Is a returning member who is a real dynamo! She goes to school two days per week and recently started working at McDonalds, and comes into the IC for tutoring with Alisa. She hopes to someday become a doctor or a lawyer! Romi also goes to the YMCA to swim and exercise and loves spending time with her family and 4 sisters. Romi is also fluent in Spanish and speaks some French. Romi always has a smile on her face and we are always happy to see her! Best of luck with all of your endeavors!
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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We hope that you will join us for our annual Halloween Party which will be held on Thursday, October 31. This year we will have a costume contest with prizes for funniest, scariest and most “Disco-y”. Yes, the theme this year is 70s -80s Disco. No costume, no problem! Come down early and we will be happy to get you suited up for the party. We will have games, ghoulish goodies, free lunch and of course a ton of fun! The party will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In last month’s workshop we talked about the nourishing of an acorn into a great oak tree. Just like an acorn, our thoughts need to be nourished. We need to tend to them daily and give close attention to the right ones. We talked about how our thoughts are just as strong as a great oak tree and can withstand the toughest times. We discussed how to nourish our thoughts with positive selftalk, mindfulness and setting small goals. Doing positive things that make you feel good is another way to feed your thoughts. Taking care of yourself is taking care of your thoughts. This is a lifelong process and ongoing event. The more you practice these techniques the deeper your roots will go like a great oak tree. Continue to strengthen the thoughts that make you strong. By doing this you will come to know you can stand strong no matter how many storms life puts in front of you.
World Mental Health Day is observed on the 10th of October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness about mental health issues around the world and providing education about services and supports for mental health. This is in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week which is held the first full week in October each year. While mental health conditions are being talked about more in the mainstream media, there continues to be stigma and misunderstandings about mental health in general. Violent acts are blamed on mental illness, when in fact individuals with mental health conditions are more likely to be the victim of a violent act. There are misconceptions about what having a mental health condition looks like, or who can be affected. The truth is, every individual has experienced what it is like to struggle with a mental health condition on some level. The loss of a loved one and the sadness and depression that follows, the anxiety of a major life change, the fear of a new situation. For most people these feelings pass, but for some they do not. Mental Health Awareness week gives individuals the opportunity to open the door on conversations about mental health. It allows for open discussions and opportunities to break stigma, seek solutions and normalize the experience of living with a mental health condition.
This year the IC will be hosting our Annual Walk to raise awareness about Mental Health on Thursday, October 10th at 10:00am in conjunction with World Mental Health Day. Members, staff, providers, community members and even politicians have banded together to walk through downtown Waterbury in solidarity to support Mental Health. Local business show their support by taking time out of their busy day to take a photo with the group with a sign stating that they and their business support mental health. We carry signs and we engage with the community. We break the stigma by being proud about Mental Health. This year the Waterbury Police Department will participate with their police mounted horse officer. We hope that you will join us. You may be one person, but together, we are powerful! #weallwalktogether The IC will host an open house from 9:00am-10:00am and the walk will begin at 10:00am. There will be a free lunch following the event. Mending Art will also be here conducting a community art project. Are you ready to make a difference? Are you ready to make a change? To register for this FREE event, visit www.mhconn.org/IC
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INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 Cup raw pumpkin seeds 2 teaspoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt (you can substitute this for any seasoning of your liking) plus additional if desired Non-stick cooking spray
Congrats to Joseph C. who recently began employment at Macy’s Warehouse. Joseph worked with our sister program Choices and he never gave up! We would like to extend our congrats to Joseph for his hard work and determination. We are sure you will be a success! If you are interested in receiving assistance with finding employment, stop by the IC and speak to a counselor or talk to your Clinician about getting referred to a work service program like Choices!
Please join us for some NEW, FUN and CREATIVE Workshops being held at the IC in October and mark your calendars! See Jess for more info. Friday October 4, 10:00 a.m. - Get Lyrical! DIRECTIONS: 1) Remove seeds from your pumpkin and place in a colander. Place colander in your sink and rinse with water, removing as much of the stringy pumpkin guts as you can. Pour seeds onto a rimmed baking sheet and allow to dry overnight. The following day pick out any remaining pieces of pumpkin. 2) Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Spray a clean rimmed baking sheet with the cooking spray. 3) Toss seeds in a bowl with the olive oil and garlic salt (or desired seasonings). Spread the seeds on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 203-30 minutes or until golden brown, stirring about halfway through. 4) Taste and season with additional seasoning if desired.
-Valerie’s Kitchen
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Music can be calming, reassuring, powerful and healing! This workshop will focus on finding healing and comfort through music lyrics.
Friday October 11, 10:00 a.m. - Journal Those Thoughts! Journaling our thoughts is therapeutic and there is healing through words. Each member who participates in this workshop will receive a notebook to journal their thoughts in!
Friday October 18, 10:00 a.m. - Music Break! If you enjoy morning motion, then you will enjoy MUSIC BREAK!!! Get ready to hear some great music and have some fun!
Friday October 25, 10:00 a.m. - Let’s Get Ready for Halloween! Participate in a fun art project and a short video on the history of Halloween. We hope that you join us for this Spooktacular workshop. Afterwards we will also work on decorating for the Halloween Party that will be held on October 31 at the IC.
Along with the first week in October being Mental Health Awareness Week, October is also Depression Awareness Month. It is a good time to start talking about depression and sorting through what is just the “typical blues” and what is a deeper routed condition. This year National Depression screening day falls on October 10th, 2019. There are many online tools that will allow you to take a depression screening. One example is Mental Health America’s website. Along with Depression screening tools, they also have a number of other tools and resources available. You can explore the website by going to mhanational.org. The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. 1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day. 2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day. 3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. 4. A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down). 5. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day. 6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day. 7. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day. 8. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide. To receive a diagnosis of depression, these symptoms must cause the individual clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms must also not be a result of substance abuse or another medical condition.
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Join us for Birthday Bash on Wednesday, October 30 at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate!
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, we urge you to reach out to a mental health professional or even a trusted friend or family member. There is always hope and recovery IS possible! Check out the IC Calendar for more information about Mental Health and available workshops and resources.
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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.
Come join us for our annual Walk to raise awareness for Mental Health held on Thursday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. See page 5 for more info!