Art therapy allows residents to express themselves in ways they never could before. Take a look into the beauty of art therapy and how it is changing lives with Mary Cassidy, Art Therapist at Hopewell.
Month: January 2016
Populations Hopewell Can Serve Effectively
We are frequently asked what type of resident Hopewell can best serve. Hopewell is clinically effective for people with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorders, bipolar conditions, and for broader populations of people whom:
- People who are or can be stabilized with medication
- People who require a longer rather than shorter period of treatment
- People for whom more than one “spoke of the personal health wheel” needs attention. (“spokes” equal physical/health, social/emotional, financial/career, family/community, spiritual/personal, mental/educational)
- People who want to come and are willing to work on an Individualized Service Plan (ISP).
- These could include people with PTSD, autism and other diagnoses if the above conditions are present
Hopewell is not appropriate for certain populations including:
- People with milder forms of mental illness
- People NOT stabilized on their medication(s)
- People whose illness is beyond a certain level of acuity
- People who would be a danger to themselves or other Hopewell residents (e.g. sexual offenders, violent people)
- People not motivated or interested in receiving help in a Hopewell type of environment
Living in the Present Moment
For many of us, one of the most underused resources we have available in our “coping toolbox” is the ability to “live in the present moment.” Choosing to “live in the present moment” means attention to the “here and now” where we can fully appreciate our surroundings and reflect on the feelings and emotions that a particular experience brings to us. It is being “mindful” of our own unique place, time and space in a much larger universe.
Taking a personal audit of where our attention is directed can be helpful in facilitating a more balanced lifestyle and outlook. Three questions you might ask yourself during this audit are:
1. How much time do I spend thinking (worrying) about and/or trying to predict the future?
2. How much time do I fret, regret or reminisce about the good old days or on past shortcomings, mistakes or missed opportunities?
3. How much time do I stay “present focused” on what I am doing and feeling right now?
Some helpful ways to stay present focused may include: simply paying attention to your breathing and posture. Tuning in such sensory areas as smell, texture, colors and sounds around you can help. Sometimes engaging in positive self-talk, performing meaningful tasks for others or participating in healthy, invigorating exercise activities may provide added value. Some people find caring for their pet, tending to a garden or participating in activities requiring mental focus (e.g. Sudoku) useful. Practicing meditation and other healing arts can be very effective “present” oriented strategies as well.
At Hopewell, our community oriented work and nature-based programming are valuable adjuncts to other more clinically focused interventions that we offer. These include medication management, psychotherapy, specialized group treatment and an interactive therapeutic milieu. All are designed to help our residents learn to more fully utilize their own “toolbox.” In doing so, these methods can serve as a means to inwardly balance tendencies to overly rehearse for the future and or dwell on the past in order to attend to and embrace the present moment—perhaps a good lesson for all of us!
FIVE WAYS TO DEAL WITH SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD); HOPEWELL OFFERS ASSESSMENTS AND COUNSELING
“If you happen to find that the dark days of winter are producing more personal distress and anxiety than usual, you are not alone,” said Richard R. Karges, Hopewell Executive Director/CEO. “The good news is that these dark days do not have to be a dreaded experience if you take some proactive steps.”
Karges offers five ways you might consider to help make your winter more enjoyable, meaningful and rewarding. According to Karges, “You can focus on the bright side.” Research tells us that the lack of sunlight, along with lots of cold and wintry weather compound the situation. Doctors refer to this condition as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
FIVE TREATMENT TIPS
These suggestions may help, according to Karges:
- Light therapy offers some effectiveness. Light therapy boxes are available to imitate the outdoors. You can buy them without a prescription, but they can be costly. The best time to use light therapy is in the morning. Typically, light therapy takes about 30 minutes a day.
- Seek a clinician who can coach you through these dark days and figure out if it is indeed SAD or a life changing event such as death in the family that is the true cause of depression. A medical professional may also prescribe antidepressants, if determined necessary.
- It is important to find the cause of depression. Make an appointment with a professional who can diagnose SAD or another type of depression. Depression can be caused by past memories or upcoming events. Sometimes we overlook the time of the year in relation to life events.
- The sundoesshine in the winter, just not as much. Changing your work schedule or daily routine to make a point of experiencing the sunshine when it does make an appearance can be helpful, as well.
- Why not take a vacation where it’s warm and sunny? And, be sure to maintain your relationships with friends and family.
Background on SAD
Women, especially those in their twenties, are most susceptible to seasonal affective disorder, but it can affect men and women of all ages, including children and teens. Often people with seasonal depression have at least one close relative with a psychiatric disorder, typically major depressive disorder or alcohol abuse.
SAD symptoms emerge during the darker winter months, then disappear as days grow longer and brighter as spring comes. It’s estimated that a half-million people in the United States may have seasonal depression, according to Karges.
Symptoms of SAD include weight gain, daytime fatigue, increased irritability and anxiety and social withdrawal.
Information, Assessments and Counseling Available
“Obviously, SAD is treatable. During the dark days of winter, we may reflect on ways to improve our life and the lives of those near and dear to us who need psychiatric intervention,” said Karges. “As a therapeutic working farm, Hopewell offers numerous programs successfully helping people with mental illness achieve their potential and contribute to society.”
Information, counseling and assessments are available by contacting Beth Orr, director of admissions at 440.426.2009. Tours are also possible. Visit www.hopewellcommunity.org.
Daniel Horne, PCC-S, LSW, Clinical Manager & Director of Admissions at Hopewell
As a licensed social worker and licensed professional clinical counselor, Daniel views treatment from a holistic approach. He was immediately drawn to the healing power of the Hopewell environment and program. Here Daniel explains what makes Hopewell’s approach unlike any other.
Giving Thanks Can Be Good for Your Emotional Wellness
While it seems we can sometimes become preoccupied with the misfortunes and negative aspects of life and conversely take for granted the abundance and blessings available to us, it does not have to be this way. Focusing on what we have versus what we don’t can help us find more “value added” meaning and satisfaction in ourselves and others. Expressing gratitude and extending thanks to others is a very emotionally healthy habit to develop and refine. This time of the year, in particular, we have an opportunity to take stock in the fortunes life has to offer. By seeing obstacles as challenges, challenges as opportunities and achievement as progress, we have a formula for realizing more meaning and rewards in life.
Hopewell strives to foster this “gratitude attitude” and outlook in everything we do. Many we serve have faced what seemed to them and others as insurmountable obstacles. We help our residents address each barrier in their life as a doable opportunity to grow and achieve success. Helping our residents’ measure these successes and encouraging them to share with others is an important part of the healing process. Being thankful and expressing gratitude further helps in maintaining a positive focus and reaching goals each has set.
There is much to be gained by giving thanks and sharing gratitude with others. We are particularly thankful to the many that have supported Hopewell’s vision and mission over the years. Because of your belief and support of Hopewell, you have helped make a positive difference in the lives of people we serve. For this we say, “thank you!”
10 Core Values at Hopewell
1. We believe in the power of the community to create an environment of caring, acceptance, compassion, growth and fulfillment
2. We believe that everyone can experience success, find a life of purpose and feel hope. We believe in recovery.
3. We believe that people can be helped to find answers to their own problems through support and care in a physically and psychologically safe environment with appropriate professional help.
4. We recognize the importance of medication compliance and medication compliance as necessary support for recovery from mental illness and of educating our residents to understand the continuing need for both medication compliance and utilization of professional assistance.
5. We believe in respecting, valuing and helping each other.
6. We value the whole person—mind, body and spirit.
7. We believe in the healing power of nature and meaningful work.
8. We believe in being stewards of our resources—property, people and finances.
9. We recognize that we are part of a larger community—including family, neighbors, professionals, supports, mental health agencies and those advancing knowledge in the field of mental health. We value these partnerships.
10. We recognize our responsibility to take a leadership role in sharing what we learn.