Seacoast PathSeekers OCTOBER 2018 Little reminder: When you answer the phone at the clubhouse or listen to voice mail , don’t forget to take a message! Community Events October - November PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY: FREE MOVIES! Finding Your Feet (Comedy, 2018) Thursday October 18, 1 pm and 6:30 pm A wronged society wife is forced to drop her airs when she moves in with her outspoken, serial dating sister Bif. As she reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to a com-munity dance class, Sandra gradually starts finding her feet and romance as well! A Quiet Place (Horror, 2018) Thursday October 18, 6:30 pm In this modern horror thriller, a family of four must navigate their lives in silence, after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival. M W F 9:30 AM TO 3:30 PM 355 Spinney Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-812-9031 page 1 Seacoast Pathways is a free and voluntary recovery program for adults living with mental illness. To learn more about us, go to seacoastpathways.org or join us on Facebook at Seacoast Pathways, a Clubhouse. New England Fall Astronomy Festival Dirk, Donna, Judy, Erin and Darby spent a sun-soaked and fun-filled afternoon at the New England Fall Astronomy Festival, held at UNH on September 14. See page 2 for their reactions. Do-o-o-o-n’t Miss It! Portsmouth Halloween Parade, October 31, 7 pm The Portsmouth Halloween Parade walks, stalks, dances, trumpets and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth each year on Halloween. Everyone is invited to dress up, gather at Peirce Island by Prescott Park at 6 pm, and march at 7 pm. No sign-up required. Prepare to amaze and be amazed! Ghoulish Note — It wouldn’t be Hallowe’en without a flash-mob performance of the Michael Jackson hit Thriller, during an unannounced halt in middle of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade! Do you know of a must-see event coming up in Portsmouth? Your inquiring Seacoast Pathways buddies want to know about it! Dirk checks out the exhibition tent before taking in a lecture on the outer boundaries of space! Ten-year Mental Health Plan Presented At a public meeting of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Commissioner Jeffrey Meyer began by telling everyone in the room what we already knew: that the quality of mental health services in New Hampshire is in serious need of help. The crowd at the Portsmouth Public Library on October 1 was standing room only, well before the meeting got underway. We listened intently to details of a 10-year plan to improve mental health care in New Hampshire. The presentation of the DHHS10-year-plan was careful and thorough. Erica Ungarelli, Director of the DHHS Bureau for Children's Behavioral Health, noted that New Hampshire has been See MENTAL HEALTH PLAN, page 1 www.seacoastpathways.org
Transcript
Seacoast PathSeekers
OCTOBER 2018
Little reminder: When you answer the phone at the clubhouse
or listen to voice mail , don’t forget to take a message!
Community Events October - November PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY:
FREE MOVIES!Finding Your Feet (Comedy, 2018) Thursday October 18, 1 pm and 6:30 pm
A wronged society wife is forced to drop her airs when she moves in with her outspoken, serial dating sister Bif. As she reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to a com-munity dance class, Sandra gradually starts finding her feet and
romance as well!A Quiet Place (Horror, 2018)Thursday October 18, 6:30 pmIn this modern horror thriller, a family of four must navigate their lives in silence, after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival.
M W F 9:30 AM TO 3:30 PM 355 Spinney Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-812-9031 page 1
Seacoast Pathways is a free and voluntary recovery program for adults living with mental illness. To learn more about us, go to seacoastpathways.org or join us on Facebook at Seacoast Pathways, a Clubhouse.
New England Fall Astronomy FestivalDirk, Donna, Judy, Erin and Darby spent a sun-soaked and fun-filled afternoon at the New England Fall Astronomy Festival, held at UNH on September 14.
See page 2 for their reactions.
Do-o-o-o-n’t Miss It! Portsmouth Halloween Parade, October 31, 7 pm
The Portsmouth Halloween Parade walks, stalks, dances, trumpets and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth each year on Halloween. Everyone is invited to dress up, gather at Peirce Island by Prescott Park at 6 pm, and march at 7 pm. No sign-up required. Prepare to amaze and be amazed!Ghoulish Note — It wouldn’t be Hallowe’en without a flash-mob performance of the Michael Jackson hit Thriller, during an unannounced halt in middle of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade! Do you know of a must-see event coming up in Portsmouth? Your inquiring Seacoast Pathways buddies want to know about it!
Dirk checks out the exhibition tent before taking in a lecture on the outer boundaries of space!
Ten-year Mental Health Plan Presented At a public meeting of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Commissioner Jeffrey Meyer began by telling everyone in the room what we already knew: that the quality of mental health services in New Hampshire is in serious need of help.The crowd at the Portsmouth Public Library on October 1 was standing room only, well before the meeting got underway. We listened intently to details of a 10-year plan to improve mental health care in New Hampshire.The presentation of the DHHS10-year-plan was careful and thorough. Erica Ungarelli, Director of the DHHS Bureau for Children's Behavioral Health, noted that New Hampshire has been
See MENTAL HEALTH PLAN, page 1
www.seacoastpathways.org
2018 James W. Foley Freedom Run/Walk 5KOctober 20 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm150 Wakefield St Rochester, 03867On Saturday, October 20th, 2018, thousands of runners globally will turn out to Run for Jim. Runners from all over the world will participate in this one of a kind road race to support the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, in remembrance of Jim, a native of New Hampshire, and all Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protecting our freedoms. See Darby or see Event Board if you are interested in participating in or volunteering for the Freedom Run.
Astronomy Festival, continued from page 1 Where the stars were! New England Fall Astronomy Festival, September 15,Seacoast Pathways sent a car full of interplanetary enthusiasts to the New England Fall Astronomy Festival on September 15. Their reactions: Judy My favorite spot was the Exhibit Area, where I met a new group of astronauts, jewelry made of meteorites and patches worn by former astronauts. Donna Thanks Darby for facilitating the trip to the Astronomy Festival at UNH. (You’re welcome! —Ed.) My favorite lecture was about what like beyond the boundaries of our solar system. The professor was dynamic and inspiring; his lecture had me thinking about taking a class in astronomy!Erin The nicest part of the festival for me was the scenery and the company. We had a nice lunch in sight of telescopes ringing the pond’s edge, and the temperature was just perfect! Dirk — I liked the talks about Jupiter and Mars, and also the satellite that visited them, Juno. I also enjoyed the exhibits, especially the one about meteorites, the great food (I had the BLT Wrap), the interesting speakers and the nice staff!Darby — I enjoyed especially the meteorite exhibit and the lectures about Pluto, Jupiter, and the outer reaches of our galaxy. Everybody was blown away by Judy’s expertise and Donna’s comments and questions during the lectures. Fun!
M W F 9:30 AM TO 3:30 PM 355 Spinney Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-812-9031 page 2
MENTAL HEALTH PLAN, from page 1 especially slow to recognize the particular needs of children struggling with own mental illness, or in some cases with that of their parents or siblings. An which has attracted the DHHS’s attention is the practice of incarcerating mentally ill people who have not committed a crime. (Click here to see an in-depth study of article on this topic. For more on the rights of the mentally ill and the Justice system, to see on in-depth online articleOther issues discussed at the meeting with DHHS included addressing a severe workforce shortage, from health care aides to mental health clinicians, psychologists and psychiatrists; encouraging the uses of peer support; creating a Mental Health Portal for more streamlined referrals, communication and implementation of the 10-year plan; and (wait for it) expand(ing) access to Clubhouses. To see an online copy of the 10-year mental health plan, click here.
Donna with Bob Veilleux, an expert on meteorites, and a sample from space
Meanwhile, back on Earth
Identity politics
SHOUT-OUT TO JUSTIN AND DIRK
Lunch-table-setters extraordinaires!Every clubhouse morning — like clockwork!
Favorite memories of the ClubhouseBy BrandonEverything. The food. The people. The outings. Some of my favorites are cookouts, days at the beach, and parties on holidays and other times. I especially enjoyed the times I was running a race and everyone came to my house to cheer me on, that was really neat.I’ve made so many friends at Pathways, hanging out with them in and outside the clubhouse. I also really like the food; it is always nice to have a meal with my fellow Pathseekers. During the summers, they park their cars at my house and walk down to the beach.Coming to Seacoast Pathways has been truly helpful in getting me get out of the house and make it through difficult times.
Poem by David LordTrudy is sitting in the lobby at the front deskChecks are cleared and processed by the 17th of the month, which this month falls on a Monday.But of course I am the President of the United States of America,flipping a coin,getting closer to the barber shop. This poem has no meaningthe closer you get the further you fall.This poem again has nomeaning over and over againmy life is falling downInspiration helps you feel Revelation.Many many miles away this poemhas no meaning again and againover and over againI am feeling quite good andI am feeling fine withInspiration on my mindall the live long day andall of the timeover and over and overagain this poem has no meaningPoison control centerLockdownInspiration over and over againTombstone on the gravePoison control center Lockdown
Writing Workshop continued on page 4
Writing Workshop — PotpourriAt the weekly Seacoast Pathways Creative Writing workshop, members, volunteers and staff follow writing prompts supplied by frequent participants. This month saw a variety of ideas on a variety of topics, beginning with Joe’s essay on . . .
My Cat TuffyBy Joe I love my cat Tuffy. He is a almost constant joy; the house would not be the same without him. He is as close to being a part of the family as an animal can possibly be. I worry about him when he seems to disappear. I make sure he isn’t neglected or ignored. In short, aw shucks, I love him.Now, most relationships thrive when the individuals in the relationship think about the other party’s welfare as much as they think about the welfare of themselves.Somebody needs to tell Tuffy. Our relationship is all about him: Let me out, let me in, feed me, pet me, clean up after my messes, and oh it sure would be nice if you played with me. He never initiates any of this himself. So why do I keep him? Don’t most people leave a relationship treated the way I am?Here’s the answer:Every night for about 10 minutes, while I lie on the couch watching TV, he jumps up, moves to my chest, places his face three inches from mine and stares directly into my eyes, looking at me as if I am the most important thing in his life.
I love my cat Tuffy.
“Perhaps one reason we are fascinated by cats is because such a small animal can contain so much independence, dignity, and freedom of spirit.”
— Lloyd Alexander
M W F 9:30 AM TO 3:30 PM 355 Spinney Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-812-9031 page 3
M W F 9:30 AM TO 3:30 PM 355 Spinney Rd Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-812-9031 page 4
Bake Sale Wednesday, October 24 Prep Day October 22
For this “countdown” story to the Seacoast Pathways Bake Sale on October 24, we put four questions to Lauren H, who has been lending her time, enthusiasm and expertise to making this the best Bake Sale ever! Lauren, What did you have to plan for that you didn’t expect? The part of planning the Bake Sale that I didn’t expect was the reaction of members and staff when I presented the idea. I was surprised and happy to hear how excited they were! Were there any great ideas that arose along the way? One great idea early on was our “sample testing” of brownies and blondies. They both were a huge hit, so we decided to sell both! What was the biggest pleasant surprise for you in the planning process? The biggest pleasant surprise in the planning process was watching staff, members, and volunteers step up to help in amazing ways What is the best possible outcome you could hope for? I already have the the best possible outcome I could hope for is that I am truly blessed I am to be a part of an amazing organization that I love so much. I’m more than excited and thankful for everyone who worked to make this fundraiser a success: volunteers, staff, family and friends, Miss Hampton Beach. The most important people I really want to thank is the members of Seacoast Pathways who have helped so much with stepping out of their comfort zone to ask people and business for donations. Late-breaking news — Cross Roads House has made a $500 donation to the Seacoast Pathways bake sale, in exchange for a lot of pies and a lot of smiles when we make the delivery! Say no more, it’s a secret! Thanks to Judy for making this extraordinary gift possible! The Bake Sale fundraiser means so much to me, how amazing Seacoast Pathways is and how much it means to me, too. I’ll always be forever grateful.
Start 8:30am, Peirce Island, Portsmouth Finish: Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth
Calling all Seacoast Pathways members, staff and volunteers — An hour of your time is all it takes to make a big difference, and then be home and be hungry for your Thanksgiving feast! Sign up on Events board or see Joe.
Wellness Action Plan By JoeGoal — To explore and bring forward knowledge and practice of mindfulness, physical wellness and good nutrition; to promote the personal wellness of all members and the clubhouse community. Current Situation — Our current wellness practices include healthy lunches, guest experts, reading, walking, art and music workshops, and promotion of participation in the Y’s classes as well as its individual opportunities. Other activities which incorporate a mindful approach to wellness, such as breathing awareness, yoga and further attention to nutrition, are part of our plan going forward.Rationale — The Clubhouse provides assistance, activities and opportunities to help members develop and maintain healthy lifestyles (see International Standard 28).Action Steps — • Provide a sharing time at the beginning of each
Wellness hour (Mondays at 1 pm) to allow members, staff and volunteers to share “What’s working for me.”
• Encourage active ways of pursuing wellness, such as incorporating nature and the environment into activities such as walking, stretching, ball games, frisbee, and mindful breathing
• Provide healthier snacks in the clubhouse and continue to serve healthy lunches
• Incorporate our weekly Art Wellness hour into our personal wellness regimens
Wellness, continued • Take advantage of instructional snippets on
Facebook and other Internet platforms• Pay attention to sensory experiences — sight,
sound, sense, touch or smell — in daily practice• Research wellness apps• Explore methods and techniques for a smoother,
