Summer 2007 by Touchstone Mental Health

from touchstone mental health

Kind Words Volume 7 Issue 2 Summer 2007

Creating a Healing Environment By Birgit Kelly, LICSW, Director of Case Management Services

Inside this issue Dropping a Healing Pebble

Expressing a Healing word

The Four Agreements

Employee Satisfaction Survey

The Physical Environment

Donors 2007

Consumers’ Wish List

The Organizational Culture

Staff’s Wish List

An Optimal Healing EnvironmentSM applies strategies that foster and support the cultivation of healing relationships, healthy lifestyles, the experience of personal wholeness and the creation and building of healing spaces. The Samueli Institute, a nonprofit organization that supports scientific research investigating healing processes and their applications in promoting health and wellness, developed this concept. They define this environment as one that optimizes all aspects of any program that supports and stimulates healing. Although we did not develop Touchstone’s Intentional Communities within this model originally, we want the communities to become healing environments for our consumers, and indeed, to foster healthy lifestyles, personal wholeness and healing relationships. We have related the impetus for the Intentional Communities in this newsletter previously, but its goals bear repeating when considering the theme of healing environment. The Intentional Communities were born out of a desire to create supportive housing that fosters and sustains community among our consumers, with the belief that community is a clear path to recovery.

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family, friends and peer groups—that occurs as a result of the stress that their illnesses have placed on those relationships. Our consumers long for natural supports— family or friends that understand their struggles but support their path toward recovery. We have long believed, and still believe, that by providing opportunity, a space, funding, some autonomy and the support of some staff, we could offer our consumers a path to create a healing community and an avenue to address the loss of connection, the lack of peer support and the longing for healthy relationships. So far we have 37 consumers who are at least willing to consider this housing program and this concept as a resource for their recovery. In terms of the development of healing environments in our Intentional Communities, Touchstone funds the bricks and mortar and pays for the furniture and dishes, the details necessary to sustain a

Many of our consumers receive a variety of professional supports to remain in the community; however, they often express a sense of disconnection because of the loss of relationships—with Continued on page 5

Dropping a Healing Pebble By Glen Albert, LICSW, Director of Supportive Housing Board Members Liz Sjaastad, Chair Michaela Diercks, Treasurer Sara Barron-Leer Bill Cochrane Leslie Connelly Sharon Toll Johnson, LICSW Merrie Kaas, Ph.D. Kelly Robert Katie Weiss, Esq.

Administrative Team Martha Lantz, LICSW , MBA Executive Director Glen Albert, LICSW Director of Supportive Housing, Assisted Living Birgit Kelly, LICSW Program Director, Case Management Services Michelle Wincell, LICSW Treatment Director, Residential Treatment Lynette Anderson Finance and Human Resources Director Peggy Wright, MBA Communications and Development Director Kristie Casello Human Resources Generalist

Editorial Staff Martha Lantz 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 Communities 2025 Nicollet Avenue South, Suite 200B Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 767–3881 intentional@touchstonemh.org Residential Treatment 2516 E. 24th Street Minneapolis, MN 55406-1209 (612) 722–1892 residential@touchstonemh.org

Touchstone Mental Health

Promoting healing in one area of life is like dropping a pebble in a lake. The ripple that the pebble causes expands and effects water far beyond where the person dropped it. Healing is a central theme that expresses itself throughout Touchstone from written materials, to conversations, to the ways we interact with residents, families, staff and others. A healing environment encourages a sense of belonging, a sense of community with others. It does more then support physical, emotional and spiritual well-being; it enriches and stimulates living. Touchstone Assisted Living Apartments offers a safe, stable place to live where some residents may stay for years. Sometimes its healing environment allows time just to be, and other times it helps to energize and stimulate creativity. The ability to respond to a person’s needs at any given moment is a central concept in the creation of a healing environment. A recent endeavor at Touchstone Assisted Living Apartments demonstrates the ripple effect that one healing pebble creates. Beginning as a conversation between Tami, our Activity Coordinator, and other staff about making exercise and movement more routine in residents’ lives, our staff brainstormed ways to enhance each individual’s physical well-being. An idea emerged. Staff decided to develop an incentive program supporting exercise and movement that brought residents and staff together in a unified effort to increase personal physical activity on a routine basis. The outcome is something special, and the program has had results that we did not anticipate. Staff took pictures of each other in a variety of exercise poses and placed them around the common areas of the building. Posters invited residents to “Step Up” and join staff in exercise Page 2

and movement. Staff established the incentive program for residents with points attached to a variety of exercises that residents could choose. This program captured the interest of almost all residents, resulting in a friendly competition. Staff put up a board that tracked the number of points that each resident collected. Residents organized group walks. They turned down van rides and walked to local businesses and their community support program. An increasing number of residents chose to go to the local community center to swim. Two residents exercised to DVDs in the privacy of their apartments. People soon were chatting with each other about what exercise they were going to do each day and inviting others to join them. They congratulated each other and gave encouragement to continue. Exercise became a common cause of the community. Residents began spending more time together in the common and dining rooms and exhibited an increased camaraderie. By popular vote, staff and residents extended the exercise and movement program from the original four to over ten weeks. Residents now have decided to take a break from the official exercise and movement program; however, they have not taken a break from spending time together and going to places in the community together. And some have continued the exercise that they started through the program.

Expressing a healing Word By Michelle Wincell, LICSW, Treatment Director for Residential Treatment Be impeccable with your word...speak with integrity and say only what you mean. Don Miguel Ruiz My philosophy as a leader is in part derived from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements, 1997, including his first principle above. His four agreements are guiding principles capable of transforming lives through rejection of self-limiting beliefs. To me, Touchstone’s web site really seems to embody the first agreement, the language carefully chosen and positive. When I found the web site earlier this year and read the mission statement, to inspire hope, healing and well-being, I felt drawn to join the organization; this too is my mission. I became the Treatment Director at Residential Treatment on June 28, 2007. Ruiz also teaches that our word, through expression and communication, has the power to create. The agency’s web site creates for the reader a welcoming sense of Touchstone’s environment: healing-oriented and holistic. At Touchstone Residential Treatment, our gracious landlords, the Garvins, have expressed their word by transforming our physical environment beautifully. Now, many Minnesota native and wild plants, grasses, flowers and trees offer a welcoming, healing, organic garden for residents and staff, not to mention the birds and squirrels. We also created lovely, natural, rain gardens alongside the front of the house and entrance.

Our plans for interior beautification are also underway. As a newcomer here, I hope to express my word by paying close attention to the small things that can make a large difference in creating our healing environment. For example, I placed my collection of turtles on an empty, barren shelf leading to our reception area, and within moments (and still today), I heard feedback about how this small touch has added enjoyment for residents, staff and visitors. In cleaning and clearing out even small spaces or carefully adding meaningful, functional items around the house, we improve the flow of healing energy and make healing infectious as evidenced by the smiles our efforts bring to others, the thoughtful gestures they inspire and the sense of community felt here. On a larger scale, we are compiling a wish list that includes cleaning projects, remodeling plans such as adding a mural, better utilization of storage and space, upgrading of furniture and décor throughout the house... and the list goes on. Staff and residents alike are contributing ideas for our interior improvements, which we are tackling little by little each week. In all, our collective word contributes to creating a welcoming, beautiful and positive environment at Touchstone Residential Treatment, which inspires hope, healing and well-being.

“I’ve seen a lot of positive changes around Touchstone…. Now I come back to visit, and I see the beautification process…” writes Theresa D. in the recent alumni newsletter for Touchstone Residential Treatment, The Touch. Our creative expression has even inspired our neighbors to start their own gardening projects, which add to the collective healing experience of our shared environment.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz 1. Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 2. Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. 3. Don’t make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. 4. Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, selfabuse and regret. From Don Miguel Ruiz’z web site” http:// www.miguelruiz.com/fouragreements.html

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To u chsto ne M ental H ealth

2007 Employee Satisfaction Survey Creating the Physical Environment The physical environment is an important part of any healing environment. Below are some of its features.

Nature Views of nature relieve stress and enhance a sense of well-being, and serene outdoor areas provide peaceful retreats for staff, consumers and visitors alike. All sorts of connections to the natural world—aquariums, gardens and water elements such as pools and waterfalls—are beneficial. The courtyard that Touchstone Residential Treatment just created is an example of such a healing space.

The satisfaction of employees looms large in the creation of a healing organizational culture. In the Spring of 2007, thirty-seven (37) employees responded to an Employee Satisfaction Survey to tell us what they think about working at Touchstone Mental Health. We also received very insightful written comments. These observations gave us information about what we are doing well as an organization and also about how we can improve. Thank you to all who took the time to respond this year. Your feedback is invaluable to Touchstone Mental Health. We will use the results of this survey to become a stronger organization in the future, and we look forward to using this first evaluation as a benchmark for future surveys. Below are some of the highlights of that survey. On two questions, only 36 people answered. In answering each question, employees selected one of five responses: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree and Strongly Disagree. In the charts below, if a response does not appear, no employees selected that response.

Employees are valued at Touchstone Mental Health.

Lighting

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The normal cycle of night and day and access to the full spectrum of light are essential to our regulation of stress and fatigue.

Strongly Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree

I enjoy working at Touchstone Mental Health.

Color

Color affects the emotional, physiological, psychological and spiritual well-being of people. For example, warm colors attract attention, create excitement, promote cheerfulness and stimulate action; cool colors relax and refresh, promote a peaceful, quiet atmosphere and encourage concentration

Strongly Agree

Agree Disagree

Employees are recognized for good work performance. 4

Art Art can celebrate life, allay individual’s fears and anxieties, amuse, encourage, educate and distract.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree

Physical Security

I feel I am part of the Touchstone Mental Health team.

The element of physical security is important given the world we live in today. Ensuring the safety of staff and consumers is a high priority.

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Strongly Agree Agree Neutral

Cultural Responsiveness A healing environment should be consistent with the regional and organizational cultures, including design elements and colors, textures and artwork.

Overall, I am satisfied with my salary. 6

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree

Touchstone Mental Health

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Strongly Disagree

Donors 2007 In Memory of Ernie Gunderson in memory of Ken and Elaine Gunderson

In Memory of Cynthia Riggs Elene Aiken Jennie Leskela, Douglas Choate, and Aidan David and Karen Miller Connie and Bill Riggs David Sagula

In Honor of Don and Betty Cashin in honor of Kathy Cashin Holly and Tim Cashin in honor of Kathy Cashin Casey and Michelle Cunningham in honor of Helen Raleigh

Charlotte Dittmer in honor of Christine and Allen Nelson Julie Ryan and Barb Radtke in honor of the Intentional Community Devona and Harley Swiggum in honor of Tami Lynn Swiggum

Ceil Raleigh Endowment Fund Brian Bergs Rhonda Simpson Brown Charlotte Dittmer

Individuals Anonymous (1) Sara Barron-Leer Birgit Birkeland Leslie and Michael Connelly

Lyn and Michael Gerdis Michael Henley Dianne Jensen Brenda and Eric Lantz Kim Makie Allen Nelson Jeannette Nelson Lisa Patton Connie and Bill Riggs Margaret and Carl Roser Mary and Ken Sutherland

Businesses and Organizations Greater MinnesotaDakotas Combined Federal Campaign

The members decide when they will meet, what they will do together, how they will spend their funds and what they need to support development of a community and a healing environment. Members have developed integrity contracts and a community charter, and they work on defining member agreements about participation in the community. They define their community as recovery-based and request that fellow members remain sober and healthy or seek external and internal support when they struggle with doing so. They reach out to each other when one member becomes ill or experiences difficult symptoms or interpersonal issues, and they offer support, encouragement and resources. The members choose menus and share the responsibility for cooking, cleaning and planning events, and for communicating with each other about plans, problems or changes. They meet in large groups to share decision making and in smaller groups for activities, groups or meals. With minimal intervention, the community

Deb Doffing Mark Hildman Gina Kray Kim Makie Ronna Puck Carol Williams

Consumers’ Wish List 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

Businesses and Organizations Masterswitch IT Minnesota State Fair St. Paul Saints Professional Baseball U. S. Bank Xcel Energy

Other Items

Healing Environment, physical space for people to meet, connect and develop community. But the community members and the staff working with them to develop and sustain the programs create their true healing element.

In Kind Donations Individuals

Continued

members are developing healthy relationships, experiencing personal wholeness and practicing healthy lifestyles. Members have developed and continue to work on creating a community that is therapeutic, without its being defined as a therapeutic community, without the connotations of groups, staff, programming or therapy. Instead, members come together to break bread, share stories, seek support, share holidays and make new memories. Many talk about developing new friendships, about feeling safe and about experiencing a sense of belonging, a place of their own creation. Members continue to experience symptoms or struggle with their mental health. Some go to the hospital or need to take a break and enter a residential or treatment program to restore their mental or chemical health. The difference between their past and present situations lies in the fact that they have a place to return, with peers and friends who welcome them, worry about them when they are gone and support their return and their recovery process. Page 5

• Art supplies, including colored pencils or markers, craft kits, a latch hook for rug hooking, knitting yarn • Bus passes • A flute • 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

To u chsto ne M ental H ealth

Creating THE Organizational Culture Staff’s Wish List • • • • • • • • • •

Copier paper, white 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 Services from a print shop Snow removal for residential sites

Equally important to a healing environment is the organizational culture. The physical building reflects the values, beliefs and philosophy of the people responsible for delivering services. At Touchstone Mental Health, we work with individuals as whole persons, integrating services and resources to support a healthy mind, body and spirit. We believe that the development of supportive communities is the most important element in our creation of healing environments. The primary goal of our Assisted Living Apartments and our Intentional Communities is the creation of such communities, but all our programs work to provide consumers with peer support as a way

of promoting healing beyond what our staff does in providing services. Giving our consumers such community has produced some amazing results. At our first intentional community in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis, members have created their own web site to provide a virtual community. At Touchstone Residential Treatment, alumni put out their own newsletter to help continue the relationships they built while residents of this short-term program. We hope to foster such efforts in the future, because peer support is one of the best healing outcomes that we can encourage.

Our Mission

Touchstone Mental Health inspires hope, healing and well-being.

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