2012 Volume 2:Issue 1 March Independence ( 620 ) 331-1748 Coffeyville ( 620 ) 251-8180 After Hours Emergency ( 800 ) 499-1748 www.fourcounty.com ~“Let’s Not Keep Quiet” Art Show and Poetry Challenge ~ ~Patient Recognition ~ ~Grief Support Group~ ~Recognizing Employees~ ~April is Child Abuse Awareness Month~ ~Years of Service ~ ~“My Family” Home Visitation Program ~ ~New Therapy Groups~ ~Observations~ ~Educational Opportunities & Events~ ~Early Childhood Services~ ~Cultural Competence~ Serving Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery and Wilson County Four County begins its forth annual “Let’s Not Keep Quiet: Fight the Stigma” Art Show and Poetry Challenge. “Fighting the Stigma” is a national awareness campaign on mental illness that was launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This campaign is designed to decrease the negative attitudes that surround mental illness and encourage the support of friends or relatives who are living with mental health problems as well as encourage those to seek treatment and recovery. Individuals suffering from mental illness are encouraged to broaden their horizons, use their inner abilities, and their deepest thoughts to write poetry and/or use their artistic abilities to express their own feelings of mental illness. For someone with mental illness, the consequences of stigma can be devastating - in some cases, worse than the illness itself. Some people with mental illness won’t seek treatment for fear of being given a label - a label that’s almost impossible to overcome. They believe that once family and friends find out about their illness, they’ll be rejected. They may try to hide their symptoms and not stay with treatment. Some people with mental illness become socially isolated, locked out of their community by the shame and embarrassment that stigma triggers. The stigma, which surrounds mental health issues, can only start to be erased when one understands that there is hope for recovery and with treatment, many people with mental illness return to a productive and fulfilling life. Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events. As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological. Mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these. Anyone suffering from a mental illness may enter the Challenge. Entries will be considered for display in the Four County facilities during May for Mental Health Month. Entrants do not have to be a patient at the mental health center but must be suffering from a mental illness. All entries must be delivered to a patient’s therapist, case manager, or to Susan Hill, Prevention and Outreach Department by April 15th. The Grief Support Group is ongoing and open to anyone whose life has been affected by a loss and wants to know how to help themselves or those they care about. Whether the loss was recent or long ago, it may still be limiting the individual’s ability to participate fully in life. If you or some- one you know has been affected by a loss, or are seeking information on grief and recovery or just have a desire to help others deal with a death, a divorce, or another major loss in their life this group may help you understand that grieving process. The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the Community Access Center, 315 W. Sycamore. Spon- sors and leaders of the group are Christine Haskew, Four County Mental Health Center, Deb Sachimpoo, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and David Hill, Penwell-Gabel Webb & Rodrick Chapel. A program is presented each time by one of the sponsoring agencies. Individuals have an opportunity to ask questions, share their feelings, and understand that they are experiencing normal reactions to grief. Pre-registration is not necessary and individuals are encouraged to at- tend at their convenience. 2011 Art Show Children Group Entry 2011 Art Show Adult Entry In honor of Patient Recognition week, February 1 - 7, Four County distributed 1,200 appreciation cards with candy attached in our facility waiting rooms. This week is rather unique since most health care awareness dates focus on health care personnel or specific health issues. Four County staff commit to patient care everyday, but this week serves as an opportunity to let patients know they are appreciated. Four County focuses on the well-being of our patients and works to provide services to meet the variety of patient needs. 2011 Art Show Children Group Entry
Transcript
Mental HealthM a t t e r s
In this Issue
2012Volume 2:Issue 1
M a r c hMental Health Ma t t e r s Volume 2:Issue 1 ~ March 2012
Four County Mental Health Center is dedicated to providing accessible, innovative services in partnership with individuals, families, and our communities.
Independence(620) 331-1748
Coffeyville(620) 251-8180
After Hours Emergency (800) 499-1748
www.fourcounty.com
~“Let’s Not Keep Quiet” Art Show and Poetry Challenge ~
~Patient Recognition ~
~Grief Support Group~
~Recognizing Employees~
~April is Child Abuse Awareness Month~
~Years of Service ~
~“My Family” Home Visitation Program ~
~New Therapy Groups~
~Observations~
~Educational Opportunities& Events~
~Early Childhood Services~
~Cultural Competence~
ServingChautauqua,
Elk,Montgomery
and Wilson County
Four County values the diverse populations among the resi-dents of our catchment area. Included in the values of Four County are Accessibiltiy, Commitment and Equality.
Accessibility - Strive to make services available and equally accessible to each and every individual and family.
Commitment - Commit to wellness and quality of life for in-dividuals, families and communities.
Equality - Treat each and every individual and family member with dignity and respect.
Early Childhood ServicesFunding to help support the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Project Before programs has been award-ed from Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. These programs serve Montgomery, Wilson, Chautauqua and Elk counties. Two licensed mental health therapists, with train-ing in infant and toddler mental health, provide consultation to child care agencies, preschools and other early childhood service providers.
The Mental Health Consultants provide assessments, out-reach to parents, and help address behavioral and mental health issues for children in both the home and classroom. Any private or public child care or preschool program is eli-gible to receive no-cost mental health consultation through the grant by calling and requesting these services.
Project Before provides two case managers to support fami-lies with children ages birth to five. Parents must have either
a mental health or substance abuse issue for families to be eligible. A case manager works with the families to connect them with other ear-ly childhood services; help parents obtain substance abuse or mental health treat-ment; assist with education
and employment issues; educate and model parenting skills; ensure access to healthcare and timely immunizations; and address basic needs including housing, food/nutrition, and transportation. Parents will also participate in the Incredible Years parenting program as a part of the grant. Eligibility for Project Before services requires that a child or children age five or younger are in the home and at least one par-ent is dealing with either a mental health or substance abuse problem.
Tammy Blaich, Licensed Masters Level Psychologist and Li-censed Clinical Psychotherapist, serves as one of the Mental Health Consultants and supervises other program staff. Bla-ich has 17 years of mental health experience with 4 years in early childhood consultation. She has received endorsement through the Kansas Association of Infant Mental Health as an Infant Family Specialist, and is trained in Positive Behavior Support, Promoting First Relationships, Incredible Years, and the Neurosequential Model of Brain Development.
Oversight of the programs is provided by Jan West, Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, who has extensive experi-ence and training in working with children and families. West has served as the Director of Community Based Services for Children at Four County since 1991.
Four County begins its forth annual “Let’s Not Keep Quiet: Fight the Stigma” Art Show and Poetry Challenge. “Fighting the Stigma” is a national awareness campaign on mental illness that was launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration. This campaign is designed to decrease the negative attitudes that surround mental illness and encourage the support of friends or relatives who are living with mental health problems as well as encourage those to seek treatment and recovery.
Individuals suffering from mental illness are encouraged to broaden their horizons, use their inner abilities, and their deepest thoughts to write poetry and/or use their artistic abilities to express their own feelings of mental illness.
For someone with mental illness, the consequences of stigma can be devastating - in some cases, worse than the illness itself. Some people with mental illness won’t seek treatment for fear of being given a label - a label that’s almost impossible to overcome. They believe that once family and friends find out about their illness, they’ll be rejected. They may try to hide their symptoms and not stay with treatment. Some people with mental illness become socially isolated, locked out of their community by the shame and embarrassment that stigma triggers.
The stigma, which surrounds mental health issues, can only start to be erased when one understands that there is hope for recovery and with treatment, many people with mental
illness return to a productive and fulfilling life. Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events. As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological. Mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these.
Anyone suffering from a mental illness may enter the Challenge. Entries will be considered for display in the Four County facilities during May for Mental Health Month. Entrants do not have to be a patient at the mental health center but must be suffering from a mental illness. All entries must be delivered to a patient’s therapist, case manager, or to Susan Hill, Prevention and Outreach Department by April 15th.
The Grief Support Group is ongoing and open to anyone whose life has been affected by a loss and wants to know how to help themselves or those they care about. Whether the loss was recent or long ago, it may still be limiting the individual’s ability to participate fully in life. If you or some-one you know has been affected by a loss, or are seeking information on grief and recovery or just have a desire to help others deal with a death, a divorce, or another major loss in their life this group may help you understand that grieving process.
The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the Community Access Center, 315 W. Sycamore. Spon-sors and leaders of the group are Christine Haskew, Four County Mental Health Center, Deb Sachimpoo, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and David Hill, Penwell-Gabel Webb & Rodrick Chapel. A program is presented each time by one of the sponsoring agencies. Individuals have an opportunity to ask questions, share their feelings, and understand that they are experiencing normal reactions to grief.
Pre-registration is not necessary and individuals are encouraged to at-tend at their convenience.
Grief Support GroupAccess to mental health services and the quality of services individuals of color receive are often affected by the lack of cultural competence in service delivery.
Staff working in the mental health system must understand, respect and value cultural differences and the key role they play in the delivery of mental health services. With this in mind, staff can strive to provide the highest quality services to each and every individual seeking treatment by working ef-fectively and sensitively with America’s diverse populations.
Many research studies have shown that because of the lack of cultural competence, people of color may not seek services in the formal system, cannot access treatment, drop out of care, are misdiagnosed, or seek care only when their illness is at an advanced stage.
As defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser-vices cultural competence is “a set of values, behaviors, at-titudes and practices within a system that enables people to work effectively across cultures. The term refers to the abil-ity to honor and respect the beliefs, language, interpersonal styles and behaviors of individuals and families receiving ser-vices, as well as staff who are providing such services.”
Culture: (a person’s beliefs, norms, values and language) plays a key role in how individuals perceive and experience mental illness, whether or not they seek help, what type of help they seek, what coping styles and supports they have, what treat-ments might work and more.
Cultural Competence
2011 Art Show Children
Group Entry
2011 Art Show Children Entries
2011 Art Show Adult Entry
Patient RecognitionIn honor of Patient Recognition week, February 1 - 7, Four County distributed 1,200 appreciation cards with candy attached in our facility waiting rooms. This week is rather unique since most health care awareness dates focus on health care personnel or specific health issues.
Four County staff commit to patient care everyday, but this week serves as an opportunity to let patients know they are appreciated. Four County focuses on the well-being of our patients and works to provide services to meet the variety of patient needs.
2011 Art Show Children Group Entry
“Let’s Not Keep Quiet” - Art Show and Poetry Challenge
How can you stand there and look at me
Tell me what you think you seeCan you feel what I feel insideYou’ve taken away all my pride
I’d never do this emotional damage to you
I cry each time, wondering what to do.
How can I be this person that’s always wrong
How did I let you become so strongIt didn’t really start this way
As I look back, I can’t remember the day
That I made you better and bigger than me
The tides turned so gradually.Can I ever recover from my fallsWill there be color beyond these
four walls.I cry deep in silent prayer, “O Lord
Why Me”What will it take to set me free
So here I sit in conversation with you
Knowing that when I leave you’ve been there too
How did you get out of the world I’m in
To where you are from where you’ve been.
I think I’m nutty or crazy or strange
I don’t fit in here but that’s not what you’re saying
I’m normal, I’m beautiful, I’m worth alot
It’st a long road to get where I gotIt’s a long journey to heal the painBut in the end, there is happienss
again.
Four County MissionFour County Mental Health Center is dedicated to pro-viding accessible, innovative services in partnership with individuals, families and our communities.
Four County VisionWe envision healthier com-munities as we help individu-als and families improve their lives. Collaborating with com-munity partners, we sustain a robust range of services that are accessible because we help people where they live and work.
We continue to be innovative as we identify new and spe-cial needs, develop programs, train our staff, and deliver ser-vices. We will expand our use of state-of-the-art technology to extend our capacity and en-hance the quality of service. We will continue to develop well-trained, dedicated staff within a supportive, challenging, and personally rewarding work en-vironment.
2011 Poetry Adult Entry
2011 Art Show Children Entry
Observances
Educational Opportunities and Events
Grief Support Group • 2nd Tues. every month • 7:30pm
Recognizing EmployeesThank you for a job well done
Years of Service AwardsYears of Service awards were presented at the annual holiday gathering held at the Independence Civic Center.
Greg Hennen opened the recognition by saying, “This is a time to recog-nize our staff and their commitment to the communities we serve. Their dedication to providing accessible, innovative care to area citizens is what has made over 35 different service programs available for children and adults across Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery and Wilson Counties. It is clear that this agency could not have the impact it has if it were not for the character of those willing to show up and give to others every day.”
Jan West, Director of Community-based Services for Children was rec-ognized for 20 years of service to the agency. Staff honored for 15 years of service were: Robert Wesley, Cultural Liaison; Kristy Lenington, Club-house Supervisor – Coffeyville; Linda Ames, New Program Development Specialist; Alvin Bryant, Case Manager for Employment/Education Sup-port.
Staff receiving 10 Years of Service awards were: Janet Anderson; Ray Barnhart; Diana Compton; Janet Corle; T.J. Cosgrove; Melody Good-speed; Hans Haltom; Jodi Hayse; Laura Martin; Tonja McCollam; Amy Westhoff; Sandra Powell; Rick Puryear; Debra Radcliff; Stephanie Red-ding; Michele Sutton; and Shelly Voth.
Staff receiving 5 Years of Service awards were: Mary Allison; Hillary Ar-nold; Sandra Atkin; Karen Bone; Dana Davis; Amanda Denton; Kelly Dod-son; Rebecca Foreman; April Foreman; Chrystal Garrison; Darren Heady; Charles Hughes; Julianne Hutchinson; Deborah Malone; Ruth McCall; Eric Montgomery; Nicole Moore; Megan Moore; Millie Moses; Cherylene Pope; Brandon Sanders; Heidi Sorah; Kerri Spoon; Steve Denny; Sandra Swart; Michael Talbot; Diana Thomas; Christina Tinsley; and Bethany Webber.
Five new therapy groups have been started at Four County. Individuals must have an open case at Four County. Participants may start at any time as the group will continually circle the topics. These groups all meet from 2pm - 3:30pm at the Four County Independence Main office.
Managing Your Mind (Monday - Led by Jan Cosgrove) Focuses on valuing yourself, confidence and self-esteem, keeping things in per-spective, problem solving, managing time, breaking bad habits and im-proving memory.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Tuesday - Led by Amy Westhoff ) Fo-cuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effective-ness, and distress tolerance.
Relationships 101 (Wednesday - Led by Kelly Bradford) Covers effec-tive communication skills, passive and aggressive communication, as-sertiveness, appropriate boundaries, red flags of problems, and aspects of a healthy relationship.
Life Skills (Thursday) - Focuses on money managment, menu plan-ning, keeping safe, health and wellness, time management, and prob-lem solving. Serena Kill
Illness Managment and Recovery (Friday - Led by Brian Murrison) Covers the diagnosis, cause and course of mental illness, the role of medication, coping skills, relapses, impact of alcohol and drugs, and the importance of social supports.
New Therapy Groups
Doctor’s Day ~ March 30
National Social Work Month ~ MarchMental and public health social workers focus their efforts on a specific area to gain a greater understanding and become bet-ter equipped to assist individuals with chronic illnesses. Social workers using their master level degrees:
Michael AlfordSamuel CarnesTJ CosgroveSteve DennyTag GoodspeedChristine Haskew
Sandra ShireMatthew SpencerMichele VanwinkleJan West
Dr. KenWilliams
Dr. MarkHaslett
Karen Bone, ARNP
Amanda Denton, ARNP
2011 Art Show Children Entry
2011 Art Show Adult Entry
2011 Art Show Adult Group Entry
2011 Art ShowChildren Group Entry
April 2 • 10:00am-Noon Babies, Families and Beyond - Coffeyville Regional Medical Center
April 30 • 8:00am ~ 11:30am - Fredonia HealtH Fair - Fredonia High School
April 18-24 • Crime Victims Rights Week
May 5 • 9:00am ~ OK Kids Fair - Field Kindley High School Gym, Coffeyville
May 10 • 8:00am ~ Elder Abuse Conference “How to Pro-tect Yourself and the Frail Elderly from Physical, Mental and Financial Abuse and Exploitation” Featured speakers Chayo Reyes, Barbara Braa and Margaret Farley; Independence Civic Center, 410 N. Penn, Independence. 6 Continuing Eduation Credit hours available. Sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Se-nior Safety and Wellness Coalition. Attendees will learn how to recognize and expose abuse and how abuse can be reported and prosecuted. Call Susan Hill (620) 331-1748 or email [email protected].
Aug. (Date to be determined)• 9:00am ~ All About Kids FairIndependence. Booths, activities for kids, and presentations.
Sept. 19-21 ~ Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas Annual Conference - Overland Park
Parenting ClassesPlease go to our website: www.fourcounty.com
to view upcoming Parenting Classes.Therapy Groups
Liz Garton, ARNP
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Statistics show that 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will be abused before their 18th birthdays. Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:
• Nurturing and attachment• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development• Parental resilience• Social connections• Concrete supports for parents• Social and emotional developmental well-being
“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,” said Jan West, Director of Children’s Services. “Ev-eryone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development.”
Each one of us, either by choice or by chance, has been pro-foundly touched and our lives improved by a physician’s com-passionate and professional care. They are committed to our good health and well-being. March 30 marks National Doctors’ Day and it’s the perfect opportunity to thank your own doctor or physician for their service.
Jump Aboard the My Family Train
My Family, is a Maternal and Paternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program for families within Mongomery County.
My Family is a voluntary program and works to strengthen families with young children, prenatal through age five. The program provides a coordinated centralized system focused on the delivery of evidence-based home visiting and other support services.
Funding has been provided from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and works with collaborative part-ners; Four County Mental Health Center, SEK-CAP Early Head Start, Kansas Children’s Service League Healthy Families America and Parents as Teachers.
Deloris Opare, MSW serves as the My Family program coordinator and Jan West, Director of Children’s Services provides oversight of the program. Deloris may be contacted at the the Community Access Center, 315 W. Sycamore, Independence, or at (620) 330-4850.
Graduating in May ~ Kelly Bradford, Sarah Boyer
Observances
Educational Opportunities and Events
Grief Support Group • 2nd Tues. every month • 7:30pm
Recognizing EmployeesThank you for a job well done
Years of Service AwardsYears of Service awards were presented at the annual holiday gathering held at the Independence Civic Center.
Greg Hennen opened the recognition by saying, “This is a time to recog-nize our staff and their commitment to the communities we serve. Their dedication to providing accessible, innovative care to area citizens is what has made over 35 different service programs available for children and adults across Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery and Wilson Counties. It is clear that this agency could not have the impact it has if it were not for the character of those willing to show up and give to others every day.”
Jan West, Director of Community-based Services for Children was rec-ognized for 20 years of service to the agency. Staff honored for 15 years of service were: Robert Wesley, Cultural Liaison; Kristy Lenington, Club-house Supervisor – Coffeyville; Linda Ames, New Program Development Specialist; Alvin Bryant, Case Manager for Employment/Education Sup-port.
Staff receiving 10 Years of Service awards were: Janet Anderson; Ray Barnhart; Diana Compton; Janet Corle; T.J. Cosgrove; Melody Good-speed; Hans Haltom; Jodi Hayse; Laura Martin; Tonja McCollam; Amy Westhoff; Sandra Powell; Rick Puryear; Debra Radcliff; Stephanie Red-ding; Michele Sutton; and Shelly Voth.
Staff receiving 5 Years of Service awards were: Mary Allison; Hillary Ar-nold; Sandra Atkin; Karen Bone; Dana Davis; Amanda Denton; Kelly Dod-son; Rebecca Foreman; April Foreman; Chrystal Garrison; Darren Heady; Charles Hughes; Julianne Hutchinson; Deborah Malone; Ruth McCall; Eric Montgomery; Nicole Moore; Megan Moore; Millie Moses; Cherylene Pope; Brandon Sanders; Heidi Sorah; Kerri Spoon; Steve Denny; Sandra Swart; Michael Talbot; Diana Thomas; Christina Tinsley; and Bethany Webber.
Five new therapy groups have been started at Four County. Individuals must have an open case at Four County. Participants may start at any time as the group will continually circle the topics. These groups all meet from 2pm - 3:30pm at the Four County Independence Main office.
Managing Your Mind (Monday - Led by Jan Cosgrove) Focuses on valuing yourself, confidence and self-esteem, keeping things in per-spective, problem solving, managing time, breaking bad habits and im-proving memory.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Tuesday - Led by Amy Westhoff ) Fo-cuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effective-ness, and distress tolerance.
Relationships 101 (Wednesday - Led by Kelly Bradford) Covers effec-tive communication skills, passive and aggressive communication, as-sertiveness, appropriate boundaries, red flags of problems, and aspects of a healthy relationship.
Life Skills (Thursday) - Focuses on money managment, menu plan-ning, keeping safe, health and wellness, time management, and prob-lem solving. Serena Kill
Illness Managment and Recovery (Friday - Led by Brian Murrison) Covers the diagnosis, cause and course of mental illness, the role of medication, coping skills, relapses, impact of alcohol and drugs, and the importance of social supports.
New Therapy Groups
Doctor’s Day ~ March 30
National Social Work Month ~ MarchMental and public health social workers focus their efforts on a specific area to gain a greater understanding and become bet-ter equipped to assist individuals with chronic illnesses. Social workers using their master level degrees:
Michael AlfordSamuel CarnesTJ CosgroveSteve DennyTag GoodspeedChristine Haskew
Sandra ShireMatthew SpencerMichele VanwinkleJan West
Dr. KenWilliams
Dr. MarkHaslett
Karen Bone, ARNP
Amanda Denton, ARNP
2011 Art Show Children Entry
2011 Art Show Adult Entry
2011 Art Show Adult Group Entry
2011 Art ShowChildren Group Entry
April 2 • 10:00am-Noon Babies, Families and Beyond - Coffeyville Regional Medical Center
April 30 • 8:00am ~ 11:30am - Fredonia HealtH Fair - Fredonia High School
April 18-24 • Crime Victims Rights Week
May 5 • 9:00am ~ OK Kids Fair - Field Kindley High School Gym, Coffeyville
May 10 • 8:00am ~ Elder Abuse Conference “How to Pro-tect Yourself and the Frail Elderly from Physical, Mental and Financial Abuse and Exploitation” Featured speakers Chayo Reyes, Barbara Braa and Margaret Farley; Independence Civic Center, 410 N. Penn, Independence. 6 Continuing Eduation Credit hours available. Sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Se-nior Safety and Wellness Coalition. Attendees will learn how to recognize and expose abuse and how abuse can be reported and prosecuted. Call Susan Hill (620) 331-1748 or email [email protected].
Aug. (Date to be determined)• 9:00am ~ All About Kids FairIndependence. Booths, activities for kids, and presentations.
Sept. 19-21 ~ Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas Annual Conference - Overland Park
Parenting ClassesPlease go to our website: www.fourcounty.com
to view upcoming Parenting Classes.Therapy Groups
Liz Garton, ARNP
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Statistics show that 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will be abused before their 18th birthdays. Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:
• Nurturing and attachment• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development• Parental resilience• Social connections• Concrete supports for parents• Social and emotional developmental well-being
“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,” said Jan West, Director of Children’s Services. “Ev-eryone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development.”
Each one of us, either by choice or by chance, has been pro-foundly touched and our lives improved by a physician’s com-passionate and professional care. They are committed to our good health and well-being. March 30 marks National Doctors’ Day and it’s the perfect opportunity to thank your own doctor or physician for their service.
Jump Aboard the My Family Train
My Family, is a Maternal and Paternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program for families within Mongomery County.
My Family is a voluntary program and works to strengthen families with young children, prenatal through age five. The program provides a coordinated centralized system focused on the delivery of evidence-based home visiting and other support services.
Funding has been provided from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and works with collaborative part-ners; Four County Mental Health Center, SEK-CAP Early Head Start, Kansas Children’s Service League Healthy Families America and Parents as Teachers.
Deloris Opare, MSW serves as the My Family program coordinator and Jan West, Director of Children’s Services provides oversight of the program. Deloris may be contacted at the the Community Access Center, 315 W. Sycamore, Independence, or at (620) 330-4850.
Graduating in May ~ Kelly Bradford, Sarah Boyer
Mental HealthM a t t e r s
In this Issue
2012Volume 2:Issue 1
M a r c hMental Health Ma t t e r s Volume 2:Issue 1 ~ March 2012
Four County Mental Health Center is dedicated to providing accessible, innovative services in partnership with individuals, families, and our communities.
Independence(620) 331-1748
Coffeyville(620) 251-8180
After Hours Emergency (800) 499-1748
www.fourcounty.com
~“Let’s Not Keep Quiet” Art Show and Poetry Challenge ~
~Patient Recognition ~
~Grief Support Group~
~Recognizing Employees~
~April is Child Abuse Awareness Month~
~Years of Service ~
~“My Family” Home Visitation Program ~
~New Therapy Groups~
~Observations~
~Educational Opportunities& Events~
~Early Childhood Services~
~Cultural Competence~
ServingChautauqua,
Elk,Montgomery
and Wilson County
Four County values the diverse populations among the resi-dents of our catchment area. Included in the values of Four County are Accessibiltiy, Commitment and Equality.
Accessibility - Strive to make services available and equally accessible to each and every individual and family.
Commitment - Commit to wellness and quality of life for in-dividuals, families and communities.
Equality - Treat each and every individual and family member with dignity and respect.
Early Childhood ServicesFunding to help support the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation and Project Before programs has been award-ed from Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. These programs serve Montgomery, Wilson, Chautauqua and Elk counties. Two licensed mental health therapists, with train-ing in infant and toddler mental health, provide consultation to child care agencies, preschools and other early childhood service providers.
The Mental Health Consultants provide assessments, out-reach to parents, and help address behavioral and mental health issues for children in both the home and classroom. Any private or public child care or preschool program is eli-gible to receive no-cost mental health consultation through the grant by calling and requesting these services.
Project Before provides two case managers to support fami-lies with children ages birth to five. Parents must have either
a mental health or substance abuse issue for families to be eligible. A case manager works with the families to connect them with other ear-ly childhood services; help parents obtain substance abuse or mental health treat-ment; assist with education
and employment issues; educate and model parenting skills; ensure access to healthcare and timely immunizations; and address basic needs including housing, food/nutrition, and transportation. Parents will also participate in the Incredible Years parenting program as a part of the grant. Eligibility for Project Before services requires that a child or children age five or younger are in the home and at least one par-ent is dealing with either a mental health or substance abuse problem.
Tammy Blaich, Licensed Masters Level Psychologist and Li-censed Clinical Psychotherapist, serves as one of the Mental Health Consultants and supervises other program staff. Bla-ich has 17 years of mental health experience with 4 years in early childhood consultation. She has received endorsement through the Kansas Association of Infant Mental Health as an Infant Family Specialist, and is trained in Positive Behavior Support, Promoting First Relationships, Incredible Years, and the Neurosequential Model of Brain Development.
Oversight of the programs is provided by Jan West, Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker, who has extensive experi-ence and training in working with children and families. West has served as the Director of Community Based Services for Children at Four County since 1991.
Four County begins its forth annual “Let’s Not Keep Quiet: Fight the Stigma” Art Show and Poetry Challenge. “Fighting the Stigma” is a national awareness campaign on mental illness that was launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration. This campaign is designed to decrease the negative attitudes that surround mental illness and encourage the support of friends or relatives who are living with mental health problems as well as encourage those to seek treatment and recovery.
Individuals suffering from mental illness are encouraged to broaden their horizons, use their inner abilities, and their deepest thoughts to write poetry and/or use their artistic abilities to express their own feelings of mental illness.
For someone with mental illness, the consequences of stigma can be devastating - in some cases, worse than the illness itself. Some people with mental illness won’t seek treatment for fear of being given a label - a label that’s almost impossible to overcome. They believe that once family and friends find out about their illness, they’ll be rejected. They may try to hide their symptoms and not stay with treatment. Some people with mental illness become socially isolated, locked out of their community by the shame and embarrassment that stigma triggers.
The stigma, which surrounds mental health issues, can only start to be erased when one understands that there is hope for recovery and with treatment, many people with mental
illness return to a productive and fulfilling life. Mental health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular situation or series of events. As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease, mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological. Mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these.
Anyone suffering from a mental illness may enter the Challenge. Entries will be considered for display in the Four County facilities during May for Mental Health Month. Entrants do not have to be a patient at the mental health center but must be suffering from a mental illness. All entries must be delivered to a patient’s therapist, case manager, or to Susan Hill, Prevention and Outreach Department by April 15th.
The Grief Support Group is ongoing and open to anyone whose life has been affected by a loss and wants to know how to help themselves or those they care about. Whether the loss was recent or long ago, it may still be limiting the individual’s ability to participate fully in life. If you or some-one you know has been affected by a loss, or are seeking information on grief and recovery or just have a desire to help others deal with a death, a divorce, or another major loss in their life this group may help you understand that grieving process.
The group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the Community Access Center, 315 W. Sycamore. Spon-sors and leaders of the group are Christine Haskew, Four County Mental Health Center, Deb Sachimpoo, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and David Hill, Penwell-Gabel Webb & Rodrick Chapel. A program is presented each time by one of the sponsoring agencies. Individuals have an opportunity to ask questions, share their feelings, and understand that they are experiencing normal reactions to grief.
Pre-registration is not necessary and individuals are encouraged to at-tend at their convenience.
Grief Support GroupAccess to mental health services and the quality of services individuals of color receive are often affected by the lack of cultural competence in service delivery.
Staff working in the mental health system must understand, respect and value cultural differences and the key role they play in the delivery of mental health services. With this in mind, staff can strive to provide the highest quality services to each and every individual seeking treatment by working ef-fectively and sensitively with America’s diverse populations.
Many research studies have shown that because of the lack of cultural competence, people of color may not seek services in the formal system, cannot access treatment, drop out of care, are misdiagnosed, or seek care only when their illness is at an advanced stage.
As defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser-vices cultural competence is “a set of values, behaviors, at-titudes and practices within a system that enables people to work effectively across cultures. The term refers to the abil-ity to honor and respect the beliefs, language, interpersonal styles and behaviors of individuals and families receiving ser-vices, as well as staff who are providing such services.”
Culture: (a person’s beliefs, norms, values and language) plays a key role in how individuals perceive and experience mental illness, whether or not they seek help, what type of help they seek, what coping styles and supports they have, what treat-ments might work and more.
Cultural Competence
2011 Art Show Children
Group Entry
2011 Art Show Children Entries
2011 Art Show Adult Entry
Patient RecognitionIn honor of Patient Recognition week, February 1 - 7, Four County distributed 1,200 appreciation cards with candy attached in our facility waiting rooms. This week is rather unique since most health care awareness dates focus on health care personnel or specific health issues.
Four County staff commit to patient care everyday, but this week serves as an opportunity to let patients know they are appreciated. Four County focuses on the well-being of our patients and works to provide services to meet the variety of patient needs.
2011 Art Show Children Group Entry
“Let’s Not Keep Quiet” - Art Show and Poetry Challenge
How can you stand there and look at me
Tell me what you think you seeCan you feel what I feel insideYou’ve taken away all my pride
I’d never do this emotional damage to you
I cry each time, wondering what to do.
How can I be this person that’s always wrong
How did I let you become so strongIt didn’t really start this way
As I look back, I can’t remember the day
That I made you better and bigger than me
The tides turned so gradually.Can I ever recover from my fallsWill there be color beyond these
four walls.I cry deep in silent prayer, “O Lord
Why Me”What will it take to set me free
So here I sit in conversation with you
Knowing that when I leave you’ve been there too
How did you get out of the world I’m in
To where you are from where you’ve been.
I think I’m nutty or crazy or strange
I don’t fit in here but that’s not what you’re saying
I’m normal, I’m beautiful, I’m worth alot
It’st a long road to get where I gotIt’s a long journey to heal the painBut in the end, there is happienss
again.
Four County MissionFour County Mental Health Center is dedicated to pro-viding accessible, innovative services in partnership with individuals, families and our communities.
Four County VisionWe envision healthier com-munities as we help individu-als and families improve their lives. Collaborating with com-munity partners, we sustain a robust range of services that are accessible because we help people where they live and work.
We continue to be innovative as we identify new and spe-cial needs, develop programs, train our staff, and deliver ser-vices. We will expand our use of state-of-the-art technology to extend our capacity and en-hance the quality of service. We will continue to develop well-trained, dedicated staff within a supportive, challenging, and personally rewarding work en-vironment.
