FirstLink Fall 2019 Newsletter

FIRSTLINK’S 2019 FALL NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM

Community Navigator: Connection is the Antidote to Addiction September is National Recovery Month.

It is also the one-year anniversary of the launch of the Community Navigator Program! The program has picked up momentum over the past year and continues to grow steadily. To date, the Community Navigator program has received over 200 referrals through the helpline and from community providers, connecting individuals seeking help with information, treatment, and recovery support services.

As we acknowledge those who live with a mental illness or substance use disorder and celebrate all pathways for recovery, it’s important to recognize an important factor in the recovery equation: connection. Connection is at the core of the Community Navigator

program. The Community Navigator connects with callers, taking time to understand what is important to them and their reasons for wanting change. The program has partnered with 20 providers in Cass and Clay Counties, is actively involved with the Recovery Community Alliance, and continues to reach out to health and human service organizations throughout the region to increase awareness and understanding of substance use disorders.

Anyone in Cass or Clay counties who is concerned about their own or a loved one’s drug or alcohol use is encouraged to call the Community Navigator. There are no age or income restrictions.

Support and resources are available 24 hours a day, just dial 2-1-1 or (701) 235-7335!

The FirstLink Suicide Follow-Up Program provides suicide support prevention services by offering caring follow-up letters and phone calls FOR participants after they have been seen at a clinic or discharged from a hospital.

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FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CINDY MILLER Fall is right around the corner! The change of seasons can be beautiful; I love the crisp, cool breeze and the rustle of leaves. But I also know that in many cases, change can be difficult. Changes in school, work, and family situations, as well as just day-to-day changes, can be stressful and difficult to manage.

If you are struggling to cope with changes in your life, FirstLink is here 24/7 to listen and to connect you with resources. You can call us by dialing 2-1-1 or 701-235-7335, or text your zip code to 898-211.

MEET THE TEAM

If you aren’t sure where to turn, let’s talk.

We are holding our first Lifesaver Luncheon on September 26th, where we will discuss how FirstLink’s Community Addiction

My name is Rachel Rausch, and I’m a Database and Resource Specialist at FirstLink. I first got involved with FirstLink last fall, when I was hired as a Call Specialist. Working part-time as a Call

Navigator is working with other local addiction support providers to help connect those in need of assistance with life-saving resources. I hope to see all of you there.

Specialist was a phenomenal way to get a taste for FirstLink, Human Services, and the nonprofit world, as well as to expand my knowledge in regards to my area of study, Psychology, at North Dakota State University. I am nearing graduation (only 3 classes left!) and am so excited and grateful to be in a full-time role here at FirstLink. Working as a Database and Resource Specialist has opened my eyes to the sheer number of resources and community agencies in the state of North Dakota designed to fit the needs of the people around them. Working for FirstLink has not only been a learning experience, but an opportunity to be part of an awesome team and work within different areas of an organization that plays such a vital role in this community and state.

Remember

to

enjoy

the fall season and all its beauty. But more importantly,

please

remember to take care of yourself and to ask your family and friends how

they

are

really

doing if they seem to be struggling.

FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM CONT. The program is also offered to those individuals who have reached FirstLink through the FirstLink 2-1-1 Helpline or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and stated they were having suicidal thoughts. The goals of the program are to support the overall safety of participants, empower and motivate people to use resources that are available to them, reduce the gap in mental health services, and encourage personal strength and developing safety plans. Once the program receives referrals from the clinic, hospital, or helpline, the Follow-Up team calls the participant within 24 business hours to check in. This has been shown to be the hardest time for people as

to receive follow-up calls, they both decide on a day and time to check in the following week or two and continue until the participant feels that they no longer need the follow-up calls.

Providing routine checkup calls is one way the team is working to reduce the gap in mental health services.

they are transitioning back into their lives. The team will also send a Caring Card, a note letting people know that we care about them and how to contact the 2-1-1 Helpline or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if they need extra support or resources. Once the team has contacted the participant and they’ve agreed

reservations to expand the program to help even more people. From January 2018 to June 2018, the team made over 3,700 calls and sent over 570 Caring Card. From January 2019 to June 2019, the team made nearly 5,400 outgoing calls and sent nearly 850 handwritten Caring Cards! Although the number of people reached by this program is growing

The Suicide Follow-Up Program has undergone many changes this past year. The program is still working hard to partner with more hospitals and clinics throughout the state of North Dakota. The Follow-Up team has also been presenting at local conferences and in the community as well as working with

exponentially, the team is dedicated to making sure that every individual knows they are cared for. In recognition of their dedication and hard work, the Follow-Up Team won the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations Partnership Award in June 2019!

DATABASE NEWS FirstLink’s Database team is always working hard to ensure we have the most up-to-date information available for the services we list, and that new services are being added whenever possible. We had an amazing opportunity this summer to add nearly 100 new programs to our database that offer services specifically to western North Dakota. This project was initiated by a partnership with Prairie St. John’s in Fargo and made possible by a Department of Health grant.

In other news, we are very excited to finally announce the ability to download (and print!)

PDF copies of the resources in our database. This new feature will be available on our website this fall. Keep your eye out for the “Print to PDF” button as you search for resources!

LOVE LETTERS To celebrate 50 years of FirstLink, we are launching a new initiative called Love Letters. Love Letters are messages to loved ones who are no longer with us as a result of suicide. These messages can take any form—written letters, videos, and voice recordings are just a few ideas—and include anything you would like to say to someone you have lost. Our goal is that these letters will help friends and family heal after the death of a loved one, as well as provide people who are struggling with thoughts of suicide a source of love and hope.

If you have lost a loved one to suicide, we invite you to submit a Love Letter at info@myfirstlink.org.

“

WHY I SERVE

I was searching for an additional opportunity to serve the community when a fellow employee told me about an opening on the FirstLink board. After learning more, it became clear that the mission and purpose of FirstLink are closely aligned with causes that are important to me. Prior to joining the board, I was one of the many people in the region who are not fully aware of what FirstLink does in communities and how many people they serve. Addiction Support and Suicide Prevention are two key pillars of FirstLink that are particularly important to me, as both have affected friends and family in addition to countless people in the region. I am proud to be able to do my part for this great organization and hope that we can continue to grow the number of people that we are able to assist.

- Thomas Tweten

SUCCESS STORIES “The Caring Card that I received in the mail meant the world to me.

I keep it with me in my billfold.

It reminds me that I can make it through this, and to take life one day at a time.”

“Thanks for letting me know about the free backpack event and clothing vouchers for back-toschool clothes. I feel my household is set to go back to school!”

“You saved my friend. She told me this morning she was having thoughts of suicide, had a plan and means. She called the 2-1-1 helpline and talked for a while and is now connected to services. Thank you.”

“I learned so much at the ASIST training. Ask about suicide—it sounds simple, but I was missing this step.”

Lifesaver Luncheon

Coordinating Care for Substance Use

Thur. Sept. 26th, 11:30a-1:00p at the Radisson Hotel Featured speakers include: Monica McConkey from Prairie St. John’s and Mary Beth Traynor from the Matto Foundation Register Here: https://myfirstlink.org/events/firstlink-luncheon/ The deadline to register for the luncheon is September 19th

The Follow-Up Team won the NDANO Partnership Award in June 2019!

P.O. Box 447 Fargo, ND 58107-0447