Fall 2006

FROM TOUCHSTONE ME NTAL HE ALT H

Kind Words VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3 VOLUME 6 FALL 2006 ISSUE 3 FALL 2006

EXPANDING COMMUNITY

By Glen Albert, Director of Supportive Housing

Inside this issue Ancient Wisdom

3

Clients’ Wish List

3

Knowing When to Walk Away

4

Healing and Support

4

Donors 2006

5

Mind-Body Training

5

Staff’s Wish List

6

Knocked off the developmental path that most people follow, individuals with serious and persistent mental illness often are unable to establish careers, forge friendships, create families or participate in their communities.

Many live alone in apartments, interact with only a limited number of people and easily become isolated and feel alienated.

As a result of Hennepin County’s recent award of $320,000 in ongoing funds to Touchstone Mental Health for our intentional community (IC), we are able to help individuals rebuild their lives by taking control of their symptoms and their treatment, renewing their relationships and finding their places in the world.

The grant allows us to expand the community to a second location and increases the number of people we serve to 40 individuals.

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As of January 2007, our program will provide subsidies that fund scattered-site apartments for 25 mental health consumers. In addition to stable housing for members, the expanded

community will provide two meeting sites for its members’ activities. Our staff will provide home-based supports to these individuals.

Our intentional community combines the advantages of a private apartment with those of a close-knit neighborhood. Members frequently socialize with other members, establish holiday traditions together, participate in activities that reflect shared interests and generally become good neighbors involved in the lives of others.

To foster social interaction, members enjoy communal meals several times a week.

Breaking bread with others has the power to inspire, nurture, build and sustain health and fulfill deep social and cultural needs.

Each meeting site offers recreational activities and open hours for spontaneous sharing and communication among members. Members at each site plan facilitated groups and classes, such as yoga, visual journaling and creative writing. A lending library provides self-help and inspirational books and reference texts.

Consumers drive the development of each community by establishing communication Continued on page 2

EXPANDING COMMUNITY, Board Members Kelly Robert, Chair Michaela Diercks, Treasurer Sara Barron-Leer RD Brown Bill Cochrane Sharon Toll Johnson, LICSW Merrie Kaas, Ph.D. Shelley Majors Liz Sjaastad

Administrative Team Helen Raleigh, LICSW Executive Director Glen Albert, LICSW Director of Supportive Housing, Assisted Living Birgit Kelly, LICSW Program Director, Case Management Services Margo Cohen, LICSW Treatment Director, Residential Treatment Lynette Anderson Finance and Benefits Director Peggy Wright Communications and Development Director Mary Woodbury Finance and Administrative Assistant

Editorial Staff Helen Raleigh Peggy Wright

Programs ASSISTED LIVING APARTMENTS 7376 Bass Lake Road New Hope, MN 55428-3861 (763) 536–8134 assistedliving@touchstonemh.org CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES 2829 University Avenue SE, Suite 400 Minneapolis, MN 55414-3230 (612) 874–6409 casemanagement@touchstonemh.org INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY 3223 East 25th Street, Apt. 5 Minneapolis, MN 55406 (763) 536–8134 intentional@touchstonemh.org RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT 2516 E. 24th Street Minneapolis, MN 55406-1209 (612) 722–1892 residential@touchstonemh.org

TOUCHSTONE MENTAL HEALTH

between members, building consensus and designing the kind of community they want.

Members meet at least monthly to review the functioning of the community, make necessary decisions and plan activities.

Many small advantages exist in forming intentional communities. A member can more easily find someone to help when needed, such as feeding her cat when she goes out of town. Each member also comes to know other members well enough to find someone who shares his interests, such as reading mystery novels, going to a museum or movie or watching professional football.

Members also provide peer support for coping with psychiatric symptoms. Peer-led support is an essential tool for recovery.

The location for our first IC site is the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. We have located an apartment in this neighborhood where a half-time Community Organizer lives. This person is a Touchstone staff member and must be a consumer. The Community Organizer coordinates the activities for the site. We plan to find a similar apartment for the second site, and a second Community Organizer will live there.

With the opening of our second site, which we created as a joint venture with Oak Grove Treatment Center, we are able to offer a continuum of supportive housing and services.

This continuum includes:  Touchstone Residential Treatment in Minneapolis, an Intensive Residential Treatment facility (IRTS)  Touchstone Assisted Living Apartments in New Hope PAG E 2

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 The new Oak Grove Assisted Living Apartments near downtown Minneapolis, scheduled to open in 2007  Touchstone Intentional Communities  Mosaic Apartments, which offers scatteredsite apartments funded by GRH (Group Residential Housing) Our first site serves only consumers of Touchstone Mental Health, but the second is open to other individuals.

Case Managers from Hennepin County Behavioral Health or contracted agencies can refer potential clients and must authorize all placements to the intentional community. We plan to begin accepting referrals to the expanded Intentional Community in December 2006.

The second community will provide a training apartment for one consumer at time with a length of stay of approximately ninety days. We will give first priority to consumers whom an IRTS or state-operated facility has discharged.

Our staff will provide these individuals with training in living skills and will help them develop relationships with other members of the community.

A second priority is consumers at risk of losing their housing. We will consider consumers referred by an ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) team on an individual basis to avoid duplication of services.

We currently are recruiting a Program Supervisor for the program. For more information, contact Glen Albert, Director of Supportive Housing, at 763-536-8134.

ANCIENT WISDOM: THE MIND AND THE BODY

By Barbara Sobocinski, RN, Nurse Consultant

CLIENTS’ WISH LIST

Stress and anxiety strongly affect physical well-being and the ways in which we perceive the world. They cause strong emotional responses that some people manage through abusing alcohol or drugs, thinking about suicide or behaving impulsively.

PERSONAL CARE ITEMS OR SERVICES

• Dental floss; toothbrushes & tooth paste; dental work • Deodorant • Donations for medication copays • Facial tissue, toilet paper • Gift certificates for new shoes, clothing • Shampoo & conditioner; hair care • Multivitamins • YM or YWCA or health-club memberships

MIND-BODY PRACTICES CAN HELP. Q. What are mind-body skills?

A. Mind-body skills are techniques that individuals can use to affect physiological, emotional and mental states and include relaxation techniques, biofeedback, meditation, breathing, exercise or movement, nutrition and use of imagery.

Based in mindfulness practices, these skills simply mean bringing awareness to what we are experiencing—sensations in the body, thoughts or emotions.

Q. What is your experience with these skills personally? Do you practice some of them regularly?

A. I started practicing a sitting meditation 25 years ago and continue to sit daily. I have a background as a dancer, and I am a long-term student of Tai Chi Ch’uan, which people often describe as a system of moving meditation.

I have practiced journaling since I was a teenager, partly as a way to observe my life consciously but also as a way to allow images and unconscious material to come to awareness.

As a Registered Nurse (RN), my personal experiences in the late 1970s transformed my beliefs about health care. I became dissatisfied with the health-care model that Western medicine uses and began investigating alternative practices.

I radically changed my diet at the time, and I learned massage, relaxation techniques and use of imagery.

Q. Explain some of the interactions between mind and body?

OTHER ITEMS

A. We frequently find ourselves in anxietyproducing situations. Our bodies respond.

Our thoughts race, and our stomachs become upset. We tense our bodies and get headaches and backaches.

Prolonged stress alters our nervous, endocrine and immune systems. These changes contribute to every major illness, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, infections, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Q. How does practice of the skills affect the body over time?

A. We are now learning more about the way in which our minds affect our bodies. We can modify the communication that occurs among the cells of our body and thereby change our physical state. What we practice, day-to-day, moment-to-moment, affects all aspects of our health and offers the possibility of healing.

Q. What training have you received to teach mind-body skills?

• Art supplies, including colored pencils or markers, craft kits, a latch hook for rug hooking, knitting yarn • Bus passes • Gift cards or certificates to coffee shops, McDonald’s, Target, Cub • Household products—dish soap, laundry soap, antistatic sheets for the dryer, paper towels • Household items—Flatware; rugs; table lamps, lamp shades; laundry baskets; TVs, DVD players; microwaves; firm pillows • Long-distance phone cards • Recreational products—Magazine subscriptions, movie tickets, games, VCR tapes/DVDs, 10-speed bicycles; film; Walkman • Punch cards for the FUMC therapeutic pool • Free or low cost veterinarian services • A reliable used automobile

My background as a nurse has included work in mental health, holistic healing and treatment for chronic pain. I have worked Continued on page 6 PAG E 3

TO U C H S TO N E M E N TA L H E A LT H

KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY Healing and Support for Mind, Body and Spirit Just a year ago, we established the Ceil Raleigh Endowment Fund, named after my late aunt, a nurse who lived with depression much of her life. It is our dream to build the endowment fund to $100,000 or more through individual donations.

Once it reaches that size, the agency can use the funds earned on the investment to start new services that improve the lives of our consumers.

By Helen Raleigh, Executive Director When I think about my six years at Touchstone Mental Health, I think about Eva who spent half her young life in state institutions after being born to a crack-addicted mom.

Touchstone Residential Treatment was the first place she lived after discharge from the state hospital.

While living there, she practiced ways to decrease her suicidal thoughts, received treatment for sleep apnea and completed her high school degree by taking the equivalency exam. I remember that the other residents and our staff held a great party for her 20th birthday. I also remember that despite promises, no one from her family ever came to visit her.

Consumers are the reason that Touchstone Mental Health exists.

Helen Raleigh, Executive Director

What would it take for you to consider making a donation to the Ceil Raleigh Endowment Fund?

If you have been blessed in this life, please consider helping to improve the lives of persons living with mental illness.

Please send donations to Peggy Wright, Director of Communications and Development, Touchstone Mental Health, 2829 University Avenue SE, Suite 400, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414-3230.

When I consider the mission of Touchstone Mental Health, I think of Wayne, a middleaged man injured on the job. He developed severe chronic pain, became addicted to painkillers and eventually suffered debilitating depression because of the pain.

While Wayne was hospitalized, our nurse placed a call to his emergency contact and spoke with his brother-in-law. Wayne’s family had assumed he was homeless or dead. They didn’t know he was receiving treatment. He simply didn’t want to burden his family. I remember Wayne being thrilled when his case manager gave him a used fishing pole. He spent hours fishing at Lake Calhoun.

Thanks to our staff and consumers, we’ve accomplished great things during my years at Touchstone. We revitalized our primary programs and initiated a variety of healing services. We changed the names of the agency and our programs to reflect the quality of our services and launched our web site.

Earlier this year, we sponsored consumers to form our first intentional community, a type of supportive housing. We plan to expand this program by opening a second site in 2007.

TOUCHSTONE MENTAL HEALTH

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When I think about our accomplishments, I remember Mai, a consumer assigned to one of our case managers. She loves to laugh and is a great cook. She spent two years living at the program now known as Touchstone Assisted Living Apartments.

Mai survived abuse in a resettlement camp in Thailand and came to Minnesota with her family. Her siblings all did well at work and school, but Mai became preoccupied with voices that she believed were magical.

These voices made it difficult for her to learn English. While living at Touchstone, she often cut her own hair and always gave away any gifts that she received. She eventually moved in with her father.

Touchstone staff offered Eva, Wayne, and Mai strategies to cope with symptoms, helped them plan their futures and renewed their senses of humor, hope and optimism about life.

While it’s hard to imagine leaving Touchstone Mental Health, I began over a year ago to consider finding a new career while I am still young enough to enjoy it. Earlier this summer, I informed our board of directors that my last day is December 29, 2006.

My decision came with a flood of memories about the people I feel grateful to have known and from whom I’ve learned so much. At the top of the list is our amazing staff.

People ask if I know what kind of work I want to do. I don’t know yet, which is creating a lot of suspense and a lot of excitement for me, but I know that I will find something fulfilling.

My parting wish for our consumers, staff and board and for the readers of our newsletter draws from an Irish blessing, “May you always have a kind word for those you meet.”

DONORS 2006 In Memory of Scott Sanderson Charlene Ahrens Arthur and Judith Andersen Dick and Ann Berger Kenneth and Mary Carter Margaret Anne Cullum Kenyeon DeGodt Loretta Disney Jeff Fleming Don and Donna Foster Melvin and Mary Gratz Jerome Haynes Martha Kimmerling Thomas and Patricia Matthews William and Mary Miller Phyllis Erickson Morton and Gwyn Morton Deanna Pehnert Brad Pence Marilyn Rynearson Dick and Rita Sanderson Douglas Stewart Dick and Nancy Still Patricia Tharp Jeffrey and Kimberly Thomas Gerald Urbach

In Memory of Connie and Bill Riggs in memory of Cynthia Riggs Jennie Leskela, Douglas Choate and Aidan in memory of Cynthia Riggs Jeannette Nelson in memory of Harold Nelson

In Honor of Joan Bilinkoff in honor of Helen Raleigh Don and Betty Cashin in honor of Kathy Cashin Sharona and Eugene Irons in honor of Lyn Gerdis’ 40th birthday Connie Mortensen-Long in honor of her parents Devona and Harley Swiggum in honor of Tami Swiggum Lori and Randall Taylor in honor of Lyn Gerdis’ 40th birthday

Ceil Raleigh Endowment Fund

Brian and Paula Bergs Rhonda Simpson Brown Arline Raleigh Joan Raleigh Jane Sebeczch

Individuals Anonymous (2) Roxanne Abbas Glen Albert Rose Allen Kathie Bailey Angie Baratto Cindy Barnick Brian Bergs Birgit Birkeland Randy Birkinbine Ingrid Bloom Larry and Susan Bourgerie Sarah Brew Bill Cochrane Margo Cohen Leslie Connelly Robin Cooper Sara Currell Patricia Dahlman Julie Dappen Michaela Diercks Charlotte Dittmer Christy Downing Marilyn Ehline Barb Farland Wasil Fiedorow Al Fredrickson Lyn and Michael Gerdis Kathy Glynn Dale and Gina Grove Ernie Gunderson Judy Hanks Keith Hansen Michael Henley Deb Hesli Jacqueline Hill

Muriel and James Hilligan Laura Jarrett Dianne Jensen Greg Johnson Lorrie and Marlyn Johnson Sharon Toll Johnson Barbara Koropchak Cathy Lange Jennie Leskela and Douglas and Aidan Choate Sue Leskela Cindy Lorah Sandy Manning Bob Marion Mary Martin Tom and Clare McCarthy Nicole McMahon David and Karen Miller Karen and James Miller Deb Miner John Mitchell Leslie Neeser Jan Norwine Jean Obresky Susan Paggen Sarah Peterson Lisa Popp Kathie Prieve Helen Raleigh Kelly Robert Julie Roles Michael Ronn David Rose Margaret and Carl Roser Mary Ellen Ross Mary Kay Romportl David Rothstein David Sagula Gloria and Frank Sagula Diana Schansberg

Mind-Body Training

Charlotte Sebastian Julie Siminski Barb Sobocinski Tami Sojka Renee Svoboda Tami Swiggum Rick Thill Bev and Dr. Earl Thompson Kara Vangen Carol Walker Kathleen Whiteford Carol and Dan Williams Mary Woodbury Claire Wright Peggy and Milton Wright

Our Wellness program takes a rounded, holistic approach. Each of our five Wellness series consists of six sessions.

We look at nutrition, relationships, leisure and stress management as the keys to reducing anxiety, stress and mental health symptoms.

We work on developing healthy coping skills and learning practices designed to reduce stress. It is especially powerful to witness participants when they get their bodies moving!

Businesses and Organizations Osseo Lions Club St. Raphael’s Church TCF Foundation Central Minneapolis Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Wellbeing Collaborative

We have completed the first series on nutrition and health. Funding will determine if we are able to offer the five series again.

November 2 through December 7, 2006 Stress Management Learning mindfulness, managing mental health, using body and mind exercises and journaling.

In Kind Donations Individuals Anonymous (2) Kathleen Bakke Kathie Bailey Ron Bell Mark Hildman Birgit Kelly Patricia Nelson Barry Nienstadt Barbara Radke Kelly Robert Julie Roles Julie Ryan Mike Smith Renee Svoboda Ron Villejo Susan Weibel Peggy Wright Ivy West

January 4 through February 8, 2007 Leisure and Recreation Understanding the importance of leisure, learning self-soothing, using community resources and creating a chemically free lifestyle.

March 1 through April 5, 2007 Mental Health and Advocacy Understanding the biological effects of illness, confronting stigma and working effectively with doctors.

Businesses and Organizations

April 26 through May 31, 2007 Relationship and Skill Building Learning to resolve conflicts, creating a window of tolerance and building a healthy relationship with self and others.

Friends School of Minnesota Health Recovery Center Mill City Museum Minnesota State Fair St. Paul Saints Professional Baseball Scratch and Dent Furniture Warehouse

Anonymous (1) PAG E 5

TO U C H S TO N E M E N TA L H E A LT H

ANCIENT WISDOM, STAFF’S WISH LIST • • • • • • • • • • •

Copier paper, white Diskettes and CDs. blank PC Garbage bags (40 gal & 12 gal) Laundry soap, dryer sheets Laser printer, new Monitors, flat-panel Mouse, cordless (1 or more) Pens, black Paper shredder, new Services from a print shop Snow removal for residential sites

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as a group therapist, taught exercise, movement and relaxation and provided education about health.

More recently, I had the good fortune of attending a program for professional and advanced training in MindBodySpirit medicine. Dr. James Gordon, from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C., conducts this training.

Q. How can the practice of mind-body skills help our clients? Are there specific practices that can help individuals with particular diagnoses?

The symptoms of mental illness and some medications can make it difficult for individuals to tolerate being in their bodies.

We currently teach mind-body skills to our clients, and we intentionally teach them

in a group setting. This setting provides consumers with a safe space where they can identify emotions, thoughts and physical patterns, learn to use healthy self-expression and obtain the support of other individuals.

A person’s diagnosed mental illness does not cause us to include or exclude use of any one technique, but an individual may respond better to one method than another.

See the schedule for our Wellness program for consumers on page 5.