Tag Archives: mental health

Unlimited access to online content raises concerns about increased risks to adolescents and teens

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Director of Clinical Services at Wedgwood Christian Services, Brina Tiemeyer, talks about how unlimited access to social media and online content poses risks to our youth.


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Brina Tiemeyer, WCS Director of Clinical Services (Courtesy, WCS)

Concerns are being raised about the harmful ramifications of self-diagnosis and increases of mental illness due to adolescents and teens having unlimited access to online content.

Wedgwood Christian Services (WCS) Director of Clinical Services Brina Tiemeyer recently talked with WKTV Journal about children – especially teens – having devices and 24/7 access to the internet. This concern stems from the alarming uptick in depression, anxiety, loneliness and suicide resulting from social media.

“We may often think of the ability to connect on social media and access to endless content online as a huge benefit to awareness of a variety of mental health challenges,” said Tiemeyer.

“While there is certainly something to be said for increased accessibility to resources for those in communities where it is lacking, and the ability to find a wider circle of support of people dealing with similar challenges, the book and other research highlights that it can also come with some risks for children, teens and young adults, most notably self-diagnosis.”

While social media can be a place where teens can get advice and tips, it does not allow for fact-checking.

“A lot of the content on social media is from influencers or peers who maybe don’t hold the proper education or credentials or merit,” said Tiemeyer.

“The advice may work for that individual in their own lives, but when our teens are utilizing social media and the phone platforms so heavily, they are then going down that potentially harmful path of creating their own diagnosis, creating their own treatment plans. Which in return can decrease the mental health impacts on their lives.”

Fast-paced and oversimplified

Social media platforms such as TikTok, have short-form, fast-paced content that is oversimplified. Many influencers use that platform to post content regarding their personal mental health.

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“Kids are lonely. Social media can be so enticing because they’re searching for community, a place to feel understood,” said Tiemeyer.

Youth find validation when they see other people experiencing the same struggles. While that is a benefit, Tiemeyer said, the content does not address the complexity and variation of mental illness and how the same diagnosis can present very differently in two individuals.

“Adolescents and teens see these quick, short-form lists, and they use them as a checklist for their own challenges.”

Examples: Depression and ADHD

Depression can present differently between age groups, genders, life experiences, health factors and severity.

“When you go to the social media platform, it’s just a checklist of what depression is,” said Tiemeyer. “It doesn’t go into the content or details that look very different depending on your individualization of the presentation.”

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Another issue Tiemeyer often encounters are youth who feel they have checked all the boxes a social media video presents.

“A big one recently is ADHD,” said Tiemeyer. “They check all the boxes on ADHD, [but] ADHD can present as Generalized Anxiety Disorder. We’ll have teens come to an intake appointment, and they’re against taking the advice of the medical professional because they’ve had an excess of misinformation.”

Awareness and reduced stigma of mental health issues on social media is beneficial, empowering youth to seek care. However, those same youths often do not believe a medical professional if what they say goes against what they saw on social media.

“It has created a barrier within that therapeutic relationship prior to the relationship even starting,” said Tiemeyer. “Our therapists are trying to address the symptomatology of the individual sitting in front of them, but [youth] are coming in with this barrier of: But you need to treat me with what I’ve self-diagnosed myself with, what my favorite influencer on TikTok told me I had, versus what the medical expertise or professional is saying the true diagnosis is and what the treatment needs to be.”

Prevention through validation

How do we help our youth find the most beneficial path? Provide validation, Tiemeyer says.

“We’re all seeking validation,” said Tiemeyer. “That’s not necessarily bad or unhealthy, so providing validation that social media can be good, but then having those crucial conversations regarding the importance of lived experience and individuality, and how mental health can present differently based on different factors.”

Create space for conversation

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“We need to create a space for crucial conversations in real life,” said Tiemeyer. “Not hide behind our screens.

“If I have a dialogue back and forth, it’s going to be very different than if I’m having a one-sided conversation by watching a clip.”

We all need to feel believed, capable and safe, Tiemeyer continued. Avoiding invalidation and all-or-nothing thinking – such as telling others not to believe what they see on social media – is vital.

“We need to have this open mind, curiosity to understand, and willingness to learn so we can empower them to feel believed, capable and safe,” said Tiemeyer.

Appropriate oversight

“When we prep our adolescents to drive, there are stages to that,” said Tiemeyer, citing hours of practice, oversight and guidance. “Some may feel that’s way too intense to do [for] social media usage, but it shouldn’t be.

“We should empower the act of using social media because digital content is not going away. Empower it, but then provide them with the skills to utilize it in a safe manner.”


(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Find help and guidance here:

WCS provides tip sheets for families on this topic. Mashable.com is also a reliable source of information on those hot topics of self-diagnosis and healthy online usage.

WCS also offers a six-week trauma-informed parenting class where one of the modules discusses appropriate social media usage.

Parent support partners connect families to active groups that provide training via role play to empower parents to have those conversations with their children.

Crossing that “line”

“If it gets to a point where you’re feeling suicidal or experiencing a crisis, it’s past the point of looking for that online community,” said Tiemeyer. “It’s time to talk to someone.”

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or consider using 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat.

Call Wedgwood Christian Services’ intake line at 616-942-7294 to connect with a medical professional and begin that step of treatment.

“We know there is an increase in de-stigmatization around mental health treatment,” said Tiemeyer. “However, we also know that the second leading cause of death for children is suicide. There is a time where we need to intervene as the adults in that child’s life and get them the help they need.”

As a mother, Tiemeyer empathizes with parents who don’t want to hinder their relationship with their child by intervening.

“My response to that is: They have to be alive to have that relationship,” said Tiemeyer. “When it comes to the point of hopelessness and suicidality, we’re past the point of worrying about that relationship, and we’re at that point of: Let’s keep my child alive so I can keep growing that relationship.”

Meeting community needs

Click here for a full list of programs and services available through WCS.

For more information about teen phone and social media use, Tiemeyer recommends reading Jonathan Haidt’s new book, The Anxious Generation.

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 4

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Four simple steps can save lives – find out how to BE NICE.

Christy Buck and Jessica Jones of Mental Health Foundation’s be nice. program reveal how to make mental health part of our every day conversation (Courtesy, WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.


Christy Buck is changing the narrative on mental illness with her be nice. program (Courtesy, WKTV)

Christy Buck, Executive Director and Founder of be nice., is determined to make mental health a part of our everyday conversation.

Buck’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education has led her through 36+ years of experience in the mental health field and the development of mental health and suicide prevention programs.

“I would challenge people to become more knowledgeable to have the confidence to talk about mental illnesses/mental health disorders,” said Buck to WKTV Journal.

Due to a 20% increase in mental health disorders, people are talking more about mental health than ever before. But Buck says we are still missing a vital piece of the solution.

Greater understanding breeds prevention

“What’s not being talked about is recognizing when somebody is struggling with an illness,” said Buck. “That, to me, is one of the biggest things that we owe the community and the nation right now: a better understanding of recognizing the onset of a mental health disorder.”

Buck continued to say that talking about mental illness/mental health disorders is going to raise a greater understanding of one of the most common illnesses in the world – anxiety disorder.

Normalizing conversations about mental illness combats stigma (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

And when we make it okay to talk about mental illness, we combat stigma.

“One way we can combat stigma is by listening to conversations, [and] correcting people when they might not be knowledgeable about mental illnesses,” said Buck.

Since 2006, Buck and her staff have educated over 300,000 people in West Michigan about mental health awareness, bullying, and suicide prevention. And though Buck says she has seen a large shift over the last few years, there is still more work to do.

“When somebody is struggling with a mental health disorder, it’s very scary for those individuals,” said Buck. “Oftentimes there is self-stigma too…viewing yourself as unworthy, viewing yourself as defeated, that there is no hope.”

Dare to swim upstream

Conquering stigma requires knowledge and willingness to open conversations “upstream.”

The four-step be nice. action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) addresses all of these issues.

Be willing to “swim upstream” and have those open conversations (Courtesy, WKTV)

“It’s a simple tool,” said Buck. “Oftentimes we complicate mental health.”

The first step to unraveling that obstacle is to notice when something is different than the norm.

“It’s huge to have ownership of what I am seeing and what I am noticing,” said Buck. “Now I have this knowledge, and having a knowledge base is going to build my confidence to take action.

“Confidence is that tool to invite myself into a conversation.”

That conversation should begin with what is good and right about the person you are talking to. It allows that person to know you care and are concerned. Then acknowledge the differences you have noticed.

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Then give hope.

“[Hope] comes through language like: you can feel better, you can get better,” said Buck. “Because it’s the truth. It is huge to be able to give that person some hope.”

Also using the word(s) love and I care about you can instill hope in someone.

Protective/Preventative Measures

Ensuring access to services and usage of those services are two main protective factors for those struggling and/or at risk. Another protective factor is friends and family – having people you can talk to.

Eating right, getting sleep and exercising are three things that release chemicals in your brain that help a person feel better. Spiritual wellness can also help, whether in the form of church or meditation that focuses on positive thinking.

“These are all pieces of empowerment,” said Buck. “When somebody is struggling with a mental health disorder or mental illness, they can’t find those protective factors.”

Buck went on to say that inviting someone struggling into a conversation by asking how you can help guides that person toward self-awareness.

Anyone can be N.I.C.E.

“No one is too young to follow the [action] plan, no one is too old to follow the plan,” said Buck. “This can be for kindergarteners through senior citizens. I love it because it is so multi-generational.”


The be nice. program and action plan educates students, staff, and community members about mental illnesses and encourages them to exchange stereotypes for understanding, compassion and acceptance.

And it has been proven to save lives.

“Be nice. is to go out and treat people with respect and dignity,” said Buck. “It is having that greater understanding that how we treat each other has an affect on someone’s mental health. On how somebody is thinking, how they’re acting, and how they’re feeling.”

Then, Buck continued, it turns into an action plan to change, improve, and save lives.

Notice the right and good of every individual you come into contact with, and invite yourself to share that good with them. Many times, the person may not have ever heard the good about themselves.

(Courtesy, be nice.)

By sharing that with them, you are “bringing about that greater understanding of how worthy they are,” said Buck.

Challenge other people to spread that kindness. Treat people with respect and dignity.

“Ultimately, it feels good,” said Buck. “That’s empowerment.”

Julie Gregory, mother of suicide victim Jessica Gregory, is an advocate for the be nice. program.

“As I have gotten to know some of the wonderful volunteers and people who are involved in this program, I have realized what a difference it could have made in Jessica’s life,” Gregory said on her blog, Picking Up the Pieces. “It could have affected the outcome of my daughter’s life.”

Gregory went on to say that, over the last several years, she has learned that how you treat people impacts the way they think, act, and feel.

“Be the change this world needs today,” said Gregory. “Treat people with love and respect, give them support when they are down, get involved, be positive role models and be nice.”

“We are here.”

Help others by educating yourself (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Knowledge surrounding physical illnesses has increased exponentially over the decades. Buck now challenges us to become more educated about mental illness.

Be nice. offers training on how to recognize mental illness signs and help those struggling. Training registrations can be found on their website.

“We are here,” said Jessica Jones, Communications Director for the Mental Health Foundation. “[We’re] ready to help people have those conversations.”

Resources

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.

Help stomp out stigma regarding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice. Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.


*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative resources by clicking here.



Click here for full video: be nice.

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 3

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Hopeless vs. Empowered: Learn how to move from existing to living

#ThereIsAlwaysHope: empower yourself and others to go from simply existing to truly living (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.


Eradicate stigma through knowledge (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Ignorance results in stigma.

Stigma prevents those who need help from seeking it.

Knowledge and self-awareness stop both ignorance and stigma in their tracks.

“I’ve learned that when people say things about suicide,” Julie Gregory, mother of suicide victim Jessica Gregory, told WKTV Journal, “they’re not saying it to be mean or callous. They’re saying it because they’re ignorant to the facts.”

Christy Buck, Executive Director of the be nice. program, provides an action plan consisting of four simple steps that equip individuals with knowledge to recognize, understand, accept, and take action regarding mental health.

  • N:  notice changes in someone’s thoughts, actions or feelings.
  • I:    invite yourself to speak up if those changes last two weeks or longer.
  • C:  challenge yourself to ask the tough questions, get help, and fight the stigma surrounding mental illness and treatment.
  • E:  empower yourself and others with the knowledge that you can have an effect on how a person thinks, acts and feels.

Self-awareness and grace

For those struggling with mental illness, self-awareness and giving themselves grace are two key components of healing.

“The more self-aware you become, you also know what your limits are,” said Dr. Valencia Agnew of Adolescent and Family Behavioral Services.

Jessica Jones of the Mental Health Foundation discusses mental health with local clinicians (from left to right) Dr. Matthew Clark, Dr. Valencia Agnew, Dr. Jim Bettenhorn, and Dr. Brendan Kelly (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


Being aware of your thinking gives you more control, said Dr. Brendan Kelly of The Well Being Counseling and Fitness Center. “Control over things you didn’t have [before], like a sense of empowerment over yourself.”

Preparation: It’s like clockwork…I know it’s coming…

In a place of recovery for mental illness, local resident Monica Ruiz said paying close attention to what her body tells her, and how it affects her engagement in activities that keep her regulated and healthy, is key in recognizing when her mental illness is triggered.

Opting out of her regular walks, skipping support group, and not making dinner are all signs that Monica’s mental health is faltering. She then digs into her coping resource toolbox to help manage those negative symptoms.

Signs of mental illness

Signs that someone is struggling with their mental health varies from person to person, but there are several indicators that appear with regularity.

Symptoms of mental illness come in many forms (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Changes in normal patterns lasting two weeks or more is a key symptom of mental illness. Some (but not all) signs are included below:

  • Changes in eating
  • Changes in sleeping
  • Isolating themselves
  • Not wanting to go to school or places they used to enjoy
  • Increase in crying/appearing sad
  • Changes in schoolwork
  • Violence toward themselves or others
  • Increase in crude or harmful language
  • Increase in anger/temper tantrums
  • Nothing to look forward to, such as events or the future

If you notice these signs in yourself or others, seek help.

If encountering resistance from a parent/adult, Agnew advises those struggling to say: “Even if it is a phase, what harm will it do for me to go and have someone help me? Who couldn’t benefit from support during a [difficult] phase?”

Adapting and Modifying

Simplify activities during difficult times (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

When experiencing a low point, modifying daily routines can be helpful.

“One of my first lines of defense is to modify my daily activities,” said Monica. “Pausing, being still, and taking that time.”

For a few days, dinner might consist of protein shakes or frozen dinners. Groceries might be ordered and delivered via an online app versus spending hours in a store.

However, Monica added, simplifying activities should only be a short-term solution.

Rachael Braginton, Program Coordinator for be nice., said she has experienced struggles with her own mental health. She can tell her mental health has been negatively triggered when she becomes more irritable, her energy levels dip, and she regularly feels overwhelmed.

Slow down and breathe (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Rachael has learned to give herself grace during those times.

“It’s okay to take the evening,” said Rachael. “It’s okay to just sit. It’s okay if you’re just surviving…for a few days.”

Rachael makes a conscious effort to slow down and tell herself it is okay if everything she planned doesn’t get done. But, after taking a moment to relax, Rachael makes a revised plan: What two things am I going to do, so I feel accomplished?

And again…grace.

“You’ve got to continue to give yourself grace in that process,” said Rachael.

First steps: Reaching out

Seek help and reach out to someone you trust (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

When your mental health is triggered, reaching out to a person you trust is crucial.

“My biggest encouragement would be, find that one person who you are the most comfortable with, that you can say, ‘I’m struggling, and I don’t know what the next step is. Can you help me?’” said Rachael.

Monica agreed that finding a person you trust and who can help you navigate those first steps of the healing process is impactful.

And support is often needed more than advice.

Support vs. Advice

Though it is human nature to want to help a struggling loved one find relief or a solution, a listening ear is often most important.

“Do not fix, control or hand out advice,” said Monica, adding that she personally does not want advice most of the time. “I’m not looking to be fixed.”

Listening, empathizing and letting someone know you support them often helps the most.

“Don’t tell them you know exactly how they feel, because we don’t,” said Dr. Matthew Clark of The Clark Institute. “A lot of times people just want someone to listen, to reflect back to them what they are saying.”

Dr. Matthew Clark (left) and Dr. Valencia Agnew discuss ways to provide support to those struggling (Courtesy, WKTV)

Minimizing or invalidating an individual’s struggle is also damaging.

“Invalidation can be very harmful, and it can immediately fracture that trust and feeling of safety,” said Monica.

Rachael added that causing someone to feel shame about their struggle is also harmful.

Find a team of supportive people (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“Most people struggling logically know what they are doing is not helpful, or logically know [that] I should be able to do X, Y, and Z. [But] I can’t,” said Rachael. “There is a logical piece to all of us, and we know it’s not right. So quick fixes – those little things – just aren’t helpful.”

Eliminate “Just” statements such as Just breathe, or Just calm down.

“If I could ‘just’ think really hard and change my chemicals, I would,” said Rachael. “But I can’t.”

Madelyn Musser, a local resident with personal mental illness experience, said to stay calm if approached by someone looking for support. Simply ask, What do you need from me? Would you like advice? Or do you just want me to listen?

“That is something so powerful, just those two little options,” said Madelyn, adding that it is important to surround yourself with supportive people. “Build a team.”

Hold space, leave space

“Leave space for silence,” said Rachael. “Allow the other person to fill it. Let them say what they need to say.”

If there is any indication someone is struggling, it is vital to ask how that person is doing and hold space for that conversation. It is also just as important to hold space for the answers you receive.

Asking someone if they are okay shows you care about them (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“Don’t be afraid to have that conversation with someone,” said Agnew. “Nine times out of ten, they’re going to tell you [if they are thinking of suicide].

“You are not going to make someone suicidal by asking. You are not going to plant a seed.”

Clark said that simply checking in with someone is a way to show support.

“Sometimes we feel like no one really cares about what [we are] going through,” said Clark. “Sometimes we think that if they don’t ask, they don’t care.”

#ThereIsAlwaysHope

“I do believe that all suffering is temporary,” said Monica. “I do believe that, as humans, we are capable of healing ourselves, and we know what we need.

“Life experiences can get in the way of that and make us feel hopeless, that we will never get better and there is no help. But I do believe that is not true.”

All suffering is temporary – there is always hope (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“When we sit here and say there is hope, it’s because we’ve seen it, we’ve lived it,” said Rachael.

When hope is not easy to see, Rachael urges those struggling to take it one step at a time.

“It’s not always easy, but there really is hope out there,” said Rachael.

Monica said that even in the lowest times, there will be moments of reprieve. “So please hold on. There is help. It gets better.”

Recognize your worth

“I remember the first time someone told me that I was worthy just because I existed,” said Monica. “It brought me to tears immediately.”

She continued, “It’s something I say to others. I do believe everyone really does belong here.”

Changing things up

Rewriting the narrative surrounding mental health and mental illness is long overdue. Action is how to make it happen.

Rewrite the narrative on mental illness by taking action today (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“You change the narrative by doing something,” said Agnew. “Go talk to someone. It changes the narrative just by taking that step.”

Buck’s be nice. book visualizes the four-step suicide prevention process as a pyramid (pg. 143).

Knowledge of mental illness signs and risk factors – and how to approach them – creates the base. Confidence generated by that knowledge is the middle. At the top of the pyramid is action: the steps taken to address the concern.

Dr. Valencia Agnew shares how we can change the narrative (Courtesy, WKTV)

“Knowledge breeds confidence,” said Buck in her book (pg. 144). “Confidence breeds action.”

Increasing personal knowledge, having a support system and building resiliency are all steps to rewriting your story, or the story of a loved one.

“Any of those things can change the narrative,” said Agnew. “Literally change the narrative.

“It’s not always easy to do, but it is possible to do, and it is well worth the investment. You get to go from existing, to living.”

Eradicate Stigma

To learn more about be nice. and the four simple steps to recognizing depression and preventing suicide, visit the Mental Health Foundation.

Help stomp out stigma surrounding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice. Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.

*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative resources by clicking here.

Resources

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.


Click here for full video: Lived Experience

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 2

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Suicide survivors and clinicians challenge stigma surrounding mental illness

Stigma surrounding mental illness can be eradicated through knowledge and understanding (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.


Madelyn Musser was 15 years old when she attempted suicide. Rachael Braginton attempted to end her life as a freshman in college.

It was several years before Monica Ruiz realized her depressive episodes and struggles with suicide were a result of complex trauma from her childhood and the resulting PTSD.

These three local women sat down with WKTV Journal to share their mental health journeys in the hopes of eradicating stigma surrounding mental illness.

Moderated by Jessica Jones of Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, lived experience participants (left to right) Madelyn Musser, Monica Ruiz and Rachael Braginton discussed the stigma and challenges of mental disorders (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


Managing their mental health journey is a daily endeavor for millions of people worldwide. It is one undertaken and shared by these three local women. Joined by local clinicians and the Mental Health Foundation, they strive to rewrite the narrative surrounding their struggles.

Stigma: Victims of our own conditioning

You are going through: hormone changes, emotions, being ‘that age.’

But you have: a loving family, material possessions, a roof over your head.

All of the above are a fraction of what Madelyn and Monica heard from doctors and family members over the years as they struggled to understand a persistent sense of hopelessness.

Harmful beliefs and narratives make it difficult for those suffering to receive help (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“I don’t think my family are bad people,” said Monica. “I think they’re just a product of the culture in which we live, and these harmful beliefs or narratives that have been passed on from generation to generation.”

“I had to break out,” said Madelyn. “I did have a suicide attempt when I was 15, and I think that kind of set in everybody’s mind that she does need help.”

Rachael Braginton now works as Program Coordinator for Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan (Courtesy, WKTV)

Rachael believes stigma resided inside her, ultimately stopping her from seeking help. Even with a caring and supportive family, good grades in school, great friends and good health, one question kept circling her mind: “Why would I be feeling this way?”

“I remember wishing I could be [physically] sick to make it make sense to myself,” said Rachael.

Because she couldn’t make sense of her feelings, Rachael feared judgment from others. Afraid people would think she was lazy, or couldn’t handle a certain stage in life, she repeatedly implied that she was doing well.

“It spiraled into a hole of lies,” said Rachael. “There’s support there, but I’ve been lying to my support. So now what do I do?”

Feeling she had cut herself off from all avenues of help, Rachael attempted to take her own life.

Perpetuating Silence

Monica Ruiz was met with disbelief and indifference from people she thought would help her (Courtesy, WKTV)

While Rachael struggled with crippling silence, Monica chose to be vocal about her inner battles – and was met with painful responses.

“I don’t believe you.”

“This can’t happen…You can’t not show up.”

The comments above, made by Monica’s graduate professor and co-worker, hurt Monica deeply.

“When those things happen, it really fractures trust, and really damages the relationship to the point where I feel this person is no longer safe to be honest [with],” said Monica.

“And that perpetuates the living in silence a lot of us experience.”

Therapist and owner of The Well Being Counseling and Fitness Center, Dr. Brendan Kelly, also believes that fear of judgment is a root cause preventing people from seeking help.

You are not alone – most everyone has experienced anxiety or depression at some point (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“People are afraid of being judged,” said Kelly, adding that people are even afraid of what their therapist might think of them.

Dr. Matthew Clark of The Clark Institute agrees: “They see it as a weakness, or something they don’t want to admit to somebody because they might feel ashamed.

“Almost everybody at one time or another has struggled with anxiety or depression, and there’s help out there. And if you get help for yourself, then you can help other people, too.”

Treatment – Understanding the journey of healing

Treatment is a journey that takes work and is an imperfect process.

“Not everybody understands that everybody is different in their treatment,” said Madelyn, admitting that it took years to realize medication did not work for her.

Instead of medication, Madelyn Musser relies on various coping skills to manage her mental health (Courtesy, WKTV)

Clark agreed, saying there is not one set therapy or treatment.

Regarding medication, Clark said, “You can try until you find a medication that works for you. And [you] may not need it forever. It might just be a short period of time to get you through this period.”

Length of time until treatment begins working also varies.

“It can take a while,” said Kelly. “We are the world’s most complex organism known to mankind. We’re all different.”

Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with can also be a challenge. Many clinics have bios and pictures of available therapists to help that process.

Affordability of treatment

“One of the worst things is that, a lot of times, financial stress is a part of why a person is struggling,” said Kelly. “I really wish insurance would just remove the deductible for mental health.”

Financial resources are available for those seeking treatment (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Checking with your insurance provider is a good place to start. Those enrolled in Medicaid do not have a copay for mental health services. There also are foundations who provide financial help to those who need it.

Agnew’s staff includes Masters-level interns that clients can see at a much lower rate.

“It was really important to me that our services be available for people who can’t afford it,” said Agnew.

Closing the gap, filling your toolbox

While medication can help close the gap between a low point and the stability sought, having a toolbox of coping skills is also important.

“I like to say I have a toolbox with resources,” said Monica.

Movement (e.g., walking) and mindful practices such as meditation and yoga are tools Monica engages in on a regular basis. However, community is an important resource for her as well.

“At my lowest, I tend to isolate, and I don’t really want to be around anybody,” said Monica. “But I know the people [in] my circle that I trust, and that I can call in those moments, that I feel safe around.

“Getting that contact – that social contact – has been really helpful for my mental health.”

Being around other people who have experienced similar struggles can be very helpful (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Support groups are a great way to find that human connection.

“I can’t explain how helpful it is to be in a group who all struggle with complex trauma and mental health issues, and I know they all understand,” said Monica.

Though Rachael put off participating in group therapy at first, she quickly found solace in the rapport she found there.

“We all get it,” said Rachael. “There are people who can relate, and that can be uplifting.”

A life-changing impact

Christy Buck, Founder of be nice. and Executive Director of Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, has made it her life’s mission to provide that support system – and she does it by way of educating people about mental illness.

Removing stigma so people understand what is happening in their lives, helping people identify signs of mental illnesses, knowing where to go, and how to help themselves or others are all part of Buck’s suicide prevention program.

Julie Gregory, mother of suicide victim Jessica Gregory, encourages individuals and organizations to embrace the be nice. program.

“Get onboard with the be nice. program and encourage people to listen and train these kids on how to watch for [warning signs],” said Gregory.

(Courtesy, MHF)

To learn more about be nice. and the four simple steps to recognizing depression and preventing suicide, visit Mental Health Foundation.

Help stomp out stigma surrounding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice. Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.

Resources

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.

*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative resources by clicking here.


Click here for full video: Clinician Experience

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 1

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A grieving mother gives voice to her daughter’s pain

Jessica Gregory’s journal and last letter to her mother (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.


Jessica Gregory (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)

At approximately 3 a.m. on March 10, 2015, 28-year-old Jessica Diane Gregory silently ended the internal pain she fought to free herself from most of her life.

Jessica’s mother, Wyoming resident Julie Gregory, prefers to focus on Jessica and her struggles versus the act of suicide when talking about her daughter’s death.

“I lost my daughter to depression, bullying and bipolar disorder,” said Gregory when talking with WKTV Journal.

Mental illness does not discriminate

Jessica had a family who loved her, was in the top 20 in her high school class of 2004, participated in sideline cheer and the competitive cheer team, ran track and had amazing friends.

Despite all of these things, Jessica was hounded by a darkness that led to physically harming herself and a suicide attempt in high school. Jessica’s internal struggle eventually spiraled into a loss of all hope.

Excerpts from Jessica’s journal and various other writings reveal the internal pain she battled daily:

Several pages of Jessica’s journal contained detailed plans of how she could end her life.

“I’m not ashamed or scared to talk about suicide or how my daughter ended her pain,” said Gregory. “We need to end the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness. Redefine the way people talk about suicide and the way we think about suicide, and look at it as an effect of an illness.

“Why is it that the brain is the only organ in your body that will get judged for being ill?”

Gregory went on to say that those who die by suicide have lost a battle with a disease.

“They couldn’t hold on any longer,” said Gregory. “I feel it’s our job to help them hold on. Mental illness is treatable.”

‘I’m sorry, Mom. I love you.’

The last time Gregory saw her daughter alive was like a hundred others. There was nothing to indicate Jessica planned to end her life that night.

After having dinner with her family, Jessica and Gregory finished a jigsaw puzzle and began another.

Gregory had no idea Jessica purchased a handgun nine hours earlier.

Jessica’s journal and last letter to her mother (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

At approximately 10:30 p.m., Jessica helped her mother put the puzzle table away and went home to her apartment.

After writing one last letter to her mother in pink marker – her favorite color – Jessica silently ended the pain she battled daily.

Before you ask…educate yourself

Gregory said one of the hardest questions people ask her is: “How did she do it?” Gregory’s palms turned toward the ceiling, shrugging in disbelief and saying, “Does it matter?”

An entry from Jessica’s journal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

What matters to Gregory is that her daughter is gone forever.

Another question Greogry repeatedly faces is, “Why didn’t you get her help?”

“We did get her help,” Gregory said vehemently. “She did go to the doctor, she was on meds, she went to therapy. She had a psychiatrist, she had a counselor, she had all these people. She had a team of people.

“You can put a mask on and show people what you want them to see,” Gregory continued. “It’s not always easy to see.”

Dr. Valencia Agnew of Adolescent and Family Behavioral Services agrees.

“Even when parents, and people in general, have noticed a lot of signs, it is also possible to miss signs,” said Agnew.

Jessica with her cat, Desi (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)

When Gregory went back and looked at specific dates in Jessica’s journal, she was stunned at how well Jessica hid her true emotions.

After one particular journal entry that conveyed Jessica’s wish to die, Gregory looked back at Facebook pictures, realizing it was the same day the family attended a birthday party. All pictures from that day portrayed Jessica as happy.

Gregory thought to herself, “She was happy. That was the mask she wore. And she was thinking all day about how she could die?”

Selfishness vs. Mentally Ill

Entry from Jessica’s journal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Gregory shares her daughter’s struggle because she wants others to understand that the thought process of a mentally ill person is not normal.

“I am simply showing people how the mind of my mentally ill daughter was thinking,” said Gregory. “She wasn’t looking to hurt anyone. She was ending her pain and what she thought was a life that couldn’t get better.”

Suicide is not selfish, Greogry continued. “Suicide is a desperate way to end pain, physical or mental. It is a hopelessness that things will never get better. It is a feeling that family or friends will be better off without them.

Entry from Jessica’s journal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“Those who are suffering don’t want to end their lives, they want to end their pain.”

Gregory also hopes to end usage of the term “committed suicide.”

“In 1964, it was a law that it was illegal to commit suicide – but they didn’t know anything about it,” said Gregory. “Now that we know more, we can talk more about it and we don’t have to use those ‘committed’ words.”

“We say ‘died by suicide,’” Gregory continued. “Instead of focusing on the act, we focus on the person and what was going on.”

Picking up the Pieces

Gregory and her family faced a lot of “firsts” as they learned to maneuver life without Jessica. Gregory credits their faith in God and having each other to lean on as the key to their survival.

Julie Gregory is dedicated to helping others navigate the pain she endures daily (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The grieving mother’s main focus after losing Jessica was making sure her son, younger than Jes by 14 years, was okay. That everyone around her was okay.

And that included other people who found themselves enduring the loss of a loved one.

“I had hundreds of people send me messages,” said Gregory, adding that she welcomes those messages. “People can come to me.”

Gregory is a vocal advocate for the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be nice. program. She encourages schools and organizations to take part in the program, take action, and save lives.

However, for Gregory, personal comfort and healing comes in the form of helping those enduring the aftermath of loss. She does this through the i understand love heals program.

“For me, helping people pick themselves up after – it just hit home.”

Grieving and healing

“I didn’t have time to grieve, and I still won’t take that time to feel sorry [for myself], because I need to be 100% to help all these other people,” said Gregory.

While Gregory admits that is not the healthiest approach, she has no plans to stop being that voice for Jessica and a source of hope for those grieving.

Jessica’s last words are tattooed on Gregory’s forearm (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“Just to know that I’ve helped others is healing to me, and so I don’t know any other way to grieve,” Gregory said. “I grieve sitting at that big table and having new people come to the group that literally just lost their family member two weeks ago.

“And I feel their pain, and I will grieve for that family and those lost, and for Jessica.”

A voice for Jessica

Gregory proclaims herself to be an open book, refusing to hide that her daughter ended her own life.

Instead, two years after Jessica’s death, Gregory chose to open both her own life and Jessica’s to scrutiny and possible ridicule in the hopes that even one person would see – and choose – hope.

Jessica with family and friends (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)

Picking Up the Pieces is a blog that unveils Jessica’s journey, her internal pain, bullying she experienced at her job, and the aftermath Gregory endures daily since finding Jessica in her apartment nine years ago.

Gregory does not hold back, laying bare the pain and darkness – and emphasizing the glimmer of hope she knows is always present, even if not always noticed.

Though Gregory has been pushed out of her comfort zone countless times over the last several years, she embraces each challenge so she can share Jessica’s story and be that voice for her daughter.

“If I reach just one person, letting them know they aren’t alone, it is worth sharing,” said Gregory. “Or, maybe someone reading these pages who doesn’t have a mental illness will be enlightened by what is in someone’s mind that does.”

#ThereIsAlwaysHope

Jessica applied for a new job before she took her life. A job at a hospital where she could help others and could carry out her personal life mission. Multiple interviews and a job shadow followed.

A Picking Up the Pieces blog entry (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)

The darkness Jessica fought against, however, overwhelmed her before she heard their decision.

“The day after Jessica’s suicide, there was a message left on her cell phone voicemail,” said Gregory. “It was a message from the hospital she had applied at.

“She received that call one day late…”

Julie and Jessica both have a tattoo symbolizing a mother and daughter and their love for each other (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The timing of that voicemail is something Gregory encourages all who struggle to contemplate.

“There is always hope,” said Gregory. “No matter how bad today can be, things will get better. You can’t leave today, because tomorrow everything could change.

“Life is all hills and valleys, and for every valley that you’re in, those hills are going to be amazing.”

Monica Ruiz, in a personal place of mental health recovery for the past few years, echoes that message.

“I do believe that all suffering is temporary,” said Ruiz, adding that there will be moments of relief even in the lowest times. “So please hold on. There is help. It gets better.”

A radical resolve

Gregory’s resolve to eradicate stigma and live with hope is evident in each word of Picking Up the Pieces.

“I am determined to be more than just a survivor,” said Gregory on her blog. “I am determined to find the silver lining, I am determined to see my glass as half full, I am determined to keep talking about mental illness and the side effects that ‘Pain’ can cause some people.

“I am determined to help change the definition of suicide.”

Eradicating stigma 

“The stigma needs to be lifted about mental struggles,” said Gregory. “We need to talk about it, out in the open, and not treat it like a dirty secret – those days are past. We need to continue this conversation.”

Help stomp out stigma surrounding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice. Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.

The be nice. program and action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) educates students, staff, and community members about mental illnesses and encourages them to exchange stereotypes for understanding, compassion and acceptance.

Resources

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.

*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative resources by clicking here.


Click here for full video: Lived Experience

Pioneer of youth mental health movement speaks at local State of the Child event

Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, Kent County, Non-Profits, West Michigan, , , ,
Suicide survivor and mental health advocate Ross Szabo gives heartfelt address to a local audience of hundreds on Feb. 23 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The annual State of the Child conference works to provide the community with resources on how to best support our youth (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Renowned author and speaker Ross Szabo gave the keynote address at Wedgwood Christian Services’ annual State of the Child event on Feb. 23.

Szabo openly shares his own personal struggles with mental health disorders to address the crisis of mental illness in youth, and help others feel comfortable addressing challenges in their lives.

At age 16, Szabo was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In his senior year of high school, Szabo was hospitalized for attempting to take his own life.

Szabo says sharing his story has helped him achieve balanced mental health, and has spent over half his life educating others via his own personal journey.

“I believe we can teach mental health the same way we teach physical health,” Szabo says on his website. “We can use lessons to teach people about brain development, vocabulary, coping skills, healthy relationships, how to help others, and most importantly, how to take care of their minds.”

Szabo has lead the charge in this vital implementation of mental health education.

Filling in the gaps

Considered a pioneer in the youth mental health movement, Szabo founded Human Power Project, a mental health curriculum company, to address information gaps regarding mental health.


In 2021, Szabo launched the Mental Health Education Institute of Geffen Academy at UCLA to educate schools on how to implement mental health education programs for their students.

The Institute also provides guidance for educators on how to use their personal stories to normalize conversations about mental health within the school community.

Learn more

To learn more about services and resources offered through Wedgwood Christian Services, click here.

To learn more about Ross Szabo, resources offered through his website, speaking engagements and more, click here.

Noted author and mental health speaker keynotes Wedgwood’s annual State of the Child event

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State of the Child (Courtesy, Wedgwood Christian Services)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Ross Szabo (Courtesy, WCS)

Noted author and award-winning mental health speaker Ross Szabo will offer the keynote presentation at Wedgwood Christian Services’ (WCS) annual State of the Child (SOTC) event Feb. 23.

Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids will host the SOTC event from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Youth mental health declared national emergency

SOTC will feature conversations with local teens, presentations and panel discussions from community experts, and breakout sessions addressing the most demanding challenges facing kids today.

Learn how to support and empower our youth at this SOTC event (Courtesy, WCS)

The event’s goal is to educate the community on the realities of the challenges kids and families face and empower people to provide support and seek out services.

“The state of youth mental health has been declared a national emergency, so candid conversations around hard topics, with caring, solutions-minded community members, are crucial to the well-being of West Michigan’s children and our community at large,” said Dr. Daniel Gowdy, WCS President and CEO.

Registration and additional information

Tickets are $75 each. Registration is available on the Wedgwood website: www.wedgwood.org/sotc.

WKTV Journal: State of the Child

State of the Child conference on Feb. 23 will discuss challenges facing youth, provide avenues of support

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Local teens collaborate with community experts about how to support today’s youth (Courtesy, WCS)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Youth mental health has been declared a national emergency by the surgeon general.

“Far too many young people are struggling with their mental health and unable to get the support they need,” stated the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2021 Advisory. “We all have a role to play in supporting youth mental health and creating a world where young people thrive.”

Wedgwood Christian Services (WCS) aims to increase awareness of this issue with its upcoming State of the Child (SOTC) event on Friday, Feb. 23 at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

“We feel State of the Child is extremely important,” said Brooke Jevicks, Chief Advancement Officer for WCS. “It’s about increasing awareness, educating ourselves on these important topics and strengthening yourself as an advocate.”

Prevention matters

WCS believes prevention is a key component to helping our youth.

“People need to understand how much prevention can matter. How many things are being caught sooner,” said Jevicks.

SOTC brings together local teens who will express their thoughts to the audience in pre-recorded messages.

The teens will touch on their own personal thoughts and experiences with mental, emotional and physical health. What they are seeing peers deal with regarding stress, anxiety, family life, life online and recognition of healthy v. unhealthy relationships will also be part of the local teens’ message.

Local teens share their experiences and concerns (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

A panel of community leaders will discuss the concerns raised by the teens. Maranda, Children and Family Services Manager for WOOD TV8, will guide the conversation.

The SOTC panel will consist of representatives from the local court system, school system, and healthcare system. A community therapist and a WCS therapist from their residential care program will also join the panel.

An audience Q&A session will follow the panel discussion, succeeded by deep-dive breakout sessions.

Participants will be able to attend a breakout discussion from both Session A and Session B.

Session A topics:

  • Panic Attacks 101
  • Understanding & Overcoming Digital Addiction: A Deep Dive into the Digital World
  • Breath of Fresh Air: The Truth About Vaping

Session B topics:

  • Dating: Then v. Now – Teen Relationships in the Age of Technology
  • Changing the View and Narratives Surrounding Mental Illness & Suicide
  • Unpacking the Invisible Backpack: Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Young Mental Health

Personal testimony

SOTC is thrilled to feature award-winning mental health advocate and speaker Ross Szabo as keynote speaker.

One of the most sought after mental health speakers in the country, Szabo has spent over half his life finding ways to make mental health approachable.

Diagnosed at age 16 with bipolar disorder, Szabo attempted to take his own life at age 17.

“He really knows what it’s like to suffer internally, and he’s worked hard to turn all of his personal trials into testimonies,” said Jevicks.

As Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA and CEO of the Human Power Project, Szabo is changing how grades 6-12 learn about their mental health.

“It will be amazing to listen to him talk about how to navigate life’s challenges, and his perspective on how to aid today’s youth,” Jevicks said.

Expert care and services

In addition to the annual SOTC conference, WCS – one of the most highly regarded mental health and behavioral health facilities in Michigan – offers a variety of services and care.

WCS is committed to supporting children and families (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

WCS is known for their residential care, and for taking on the toughest cases for children who have been chronically neglected and physically or sexually abused. All WCS services offer expert, trauma-focused, evidence-based, therapeutic care…and love.

“We are committed to supporting children and families through mental health, emotional health, behavioral health and spiritual health,” said Jevicks. “We have a deep love for the people in our care [and] want to extend Christ-like love and grace to them.”

Among WCS services is a home for youth saved from human trafficking, and an entire certified staff dedicated to helping children overcome addiction.

WCS’s school prevention program, Positive Youth Development (PYD), teaches kids to understand and value their worth through a variety of programming.

“We are doing a lot of really important work to help each child in our care find their true self,” said Jevicks. “Our team reaches thousands of teens with preventative programming.”

Kids = The Future

Support children by educating yourself first (Courtesy, First Steps Kent)

“Kids are our future,” said Jevicks. “They are future leaders, future decision makers, our future coworkers.

“We have to take care of them. In order to take care of them, we have to be doing things like this event. Raising our awareness, educating ourselves, and becoming stronger advocates. Too many people are struggling with their mental health, and it’s not just kids. It’s adults too.”

Futurist Rebecca Ryan recently presented the Top 10 Trends for the Next 10 Years in business to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. Number ten is normalizing mental health.

“There’s been a lot of effort put into it, but there’s still quite a ways to go,” said Jevicks, adding that there is a lot to be said about businesses being involved in SOTC.

“Businesses should be sending their leaders to [SOTC], and getting a grasp on what today’s youth are facing and dealing with so we can have better benefits in place and better support systems [for] our future employees.”

Value of SOTC

Jevicks said that hearing local kids candidly share their realities at SOTC each year is eye-opening.

“Then community experts and leaders get insight into those barriers and provide practical ways to face those barriers together,” said Jevicks. “You always walk away knowing more than before.”



“Ultimately,” Jevicks continued, “if you have kids, if you work with kids, care about kids, or are invested in the future of our community, you want to attend Wedgwood’s SOTC.

“It takes all of us to positively impact each other and tackle this topic.”

Registration, Sponsorships and Notes

Attendees can receive continuing education credits for attending SOTC. SCECHs are available. CEUs are available pending approval.

WCS says they are grateful to all their sponsors, but specifically Title Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank.

“That’s really helped us be able to bring the speaker in and grow this event, providing more information to people,” said Jevicks.

Register for SOTC and/or become a SOTC sponsor by clicking here.

Kids & Family Expo on Jan. 27 will feature new attractions – and a lot of fun!

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The Kids & Family Expo will have some new attractions this year (Courtesy, MHF)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


New and exciting attractions are adding fun to the Kids & Family Expo at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

At the helm of the Expo will be the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) and be nice. program.


A dedication to community and family wellness

Though the MHF has participated in the Expo for 10 years, this is the first time the Foundation will host the event.

“The reason that we decided to take it on after we were approached last year was because this is a winter event that focuses on family, togetherness and community connection,” said Jessica Jones, Communications Director for MHF. “Those are all aspects of our organization that we promote within families.

The Expo will focus on overall family wellness (Courtesy, MHF)

“We’re really trying to tap into the community and promote good mental health.”

The Expo will look similar to previous years with additional enhancements and a focus on overall family wellness. Community resources information, hourly wellness presenters, and fun interactive and educational experiences for the entire family will be available during the event.

“The Expo helps provide that little bit of escape from the winter,” said Jones. “Families are trapped inside together if the weather hasn’t been great. Changing the scenery in the winter can be more empowering than we realize.

“This gives the family an opportunity to get out, be together and have some fun.”

What to expect: new and original features

A new aspect to the Kids & Family Expo will be that all attractions and rides are included in the ticket price.

All attractions and rides are included in the ticket price (Courtesy, MHF)

“There’s no extra nickel and diming once you’re in, which was really important to us,” said Jones.

New attractions will include the Pirate’s Revenge swinging boat and Turbo Tubs, which can accommodate both kids and adults.

A cakewalk sponsored by Nothing Bundt Cakes will take place every hour near the Empowerment Stage presented by Forest View Hospital.

“The Empowerment Stage is something new this year, and we have a rotation of fun things that are happening there,” said Jones.

Included in that rotation is WOOD TV8 Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca presenting the popular Weather Experience. There will also be several story times for children.

John Ball Zoo will be providing animals for patrons to enjoy (Courtesy, MHF)

“We’re going to be pushing out the be nice. action plan: notice, invite, challenge, and empower,” said MHF Founder Christy Buck in an interview with eightWest. “We’re going to be reading books to kids, and they can sit and listen to a book being read and how N.I.C.E. is implemented in this book.”

Additional activities include: a petting zoo, ponies, jumbo activities, a fire engine and police car, a photo booth, archery, face painting, snake petting and more.

Various information from community organizations will be available at the Expo in addition to activities and rides. Each resource distribution station will also feature an activity.

“We’ve got all this good information, all these great resources packaged, and a whole lot of rides and fun and games for the whole family,” said Buck on eightWest.

Expo = Positive Impact

Activity and FUN can help improve mental health (Courtesy, MHF)

Everything that we do in our lives, Buck said, has to do with our overall health and mental health.

Weather, nutrition and finances are also factors that play into mental health. The Expo will have presentations and information about each of these factors.

Jones said that events like the Expo can help improve mental health for some people.

“Being active, having things to look forward to, feeling empowered following some kind of activity or event, anything that makes you feel good,” said Jones.

“For kids, these are memories that they’re going to make as they have fun with the rides. Parents are going to make memories by being with the kids and providing this experience for them.”

Families can find a multitude of resources at the Expo (Courtesy, MHF)

Resources and links

Tickets for the Kids & Family Expo can be purchased at the door or online here or here.

For more information on the Mental Health Foundation and be nice. program, click here.

Mental health advocate and founder of i Understand non-profit joins Davenport University alumni board

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Vonnie Woodrick is determined to change attitudes surrounding mental health (Courtesy, Davenport University)

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Woodrick has made mental health her life’s work (Supplied)

Davenport University leaders have announced that Yvonne (Vonnie) Woodrick has joined its Alumni Association Board for a three-year term. Woodrick, a West Michigan native, graduated from the university in 1984. She said it’s wonderful to be part of the university that means so much to her.

“It’s truly an honor to be in a position to highlight Davenport, a university that is near and dear to my heart,” said Woodrick. “Witnessing the growth from a college to a university has been amazing, and the expansion of Davenport’s mental and behavioral health services and academic programs is extremely important to me.”

Mental health is health

Mental health has been a focus for Woodrick since her husband, Rob, died from depression in 2003. The young widow with three children set out to change attitudes surrounding mental health and suicide. This cause has become her life’s work, and she founded the nonprofit organization i Understand in 2014.


Her work and Davenport’s recent additions of a campus wellness center and two master’s degrees connected to mental health make this renewed connection between Woodrick and the university even more meaningful. This fall, the university launched the Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, and the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling.


“The actions taken in this area by Davenport leaders display their understanding that mental health is health,” Woodrick said. “At the university, the topic is discussed, resources are readily available and career choices in this field are cutting edge.

“I am grateful Davenport University is bringing the mental and brain health conversations to the forefront. I am excited to be a part of this, and can’t wait to see what the future holds in this area.”

Whole health for students

Woodrick joins 11 other Davenport alumni who serve the university and its mission through its Alumni Association Board.

“We’re delighted to have Vonnie join our strong alumni board,” said Rachel Render, Executive Vice President for Advancement at Davenport. “Vonnie’s expertise is important as we focus on the whole health of our students as they pursue their higher education dreams.”

For more information on i Understand, visit: https://www.iunderstandloveheals.org/

Mental health awareness needed as holidays approach, emotional wellness tips provided

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Mental health conditions are at an all-time high, but there is hope (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Jacklyn Eding provides emotional wellness tips as holidays draw closer (Courtesy, Supplied)

Millions of Americans experience symptoms of mental health conditions, with depression and suicidal thoughts currently at an all-time high. As the holiday season draws closer, awareness of this issue is crucial.

Jacklyn Eding, LLMSW and Wedgwood Christian Services (WCS) Trauma-Focused Therapist, says she has seen an increase in more mental health concerns surrounding depression and anxiety. 

“We are seeing more suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviors and higher depression due to external stimuli that we take in every day, but also due to the higher stress and demands of our environment and what’s around us,” said Eding.

Children and adolescents are seeing higher demands at school, but lower teacher numbers to provide that instruction.

Adults are experiencing lower paying jobs and/or higher expectations on their workload.

Continued effects of the pandemic

While an overarching societal issue, Eding says COVID has had a sizable impact on mental health.

“We all went through essentially our own traumatic experience with COVID,” said Eding. “We all went through a very, very high period of stress that – for the most part – we couldn’t really overcome. There was nothing for us to do, we couldn’t go out places. It was all very different for us.

“We are still feeling the effects of COVID. Even to this day, some people still have high anxiety due to illness, some people just have less employment. It’s definitely a contributing factor.”


Eding continued to say that her younger clients are struggling and behind in school due to struggles with online schooling. Infants and toddlers are struggling to learn how to be separated from a caregiver for an hour and know that caregiver will come back.

“That is a big time for emotional attachment development, and just attachment in general,” said Eding. “As families try to grow and develop healthy attachment styles, it’s definitely harder when there is no opportunity for a child to have that opportunity to experience independence for a short while with the knowledge that their caregiver will be coming back.”

Light at the end of the tunnel

But Eding says she does see a decrease in anxiety and depression on the horizon – though it will take time to reach it.

“I do see it coming back down,” says Eding. “There are a lot of options and encouragement for mental health right now. It’s no longer that mental health and mental illness have a negative stigma. It’s becoming a lot more prominent, and people are becoming more aware that if they really want to talk to someone after they see these symptoms, it is okay to seek help. And it’s okay to seek help for your children, it’s okay to seek help for your spouse.


“It’s becoming more normalized, which is great. And it’s encouraging to see, because I believe that is going to be a big part of that anxiety and depression decreasing.”

WCS has clients ranging from three or four years of age with play therapy, up to 90 years of age.

“We have all walks of life, and emotional wellness is one of the biggest things that we see, especially from a young age, is needing more education on it,” says Eding.

One example would be the need to dispel the myth that kids need to be happy all the time.

“It is how to handle the discomfort of challenging feelings, how to know when they are getting too big and how to cope with that, especially in a world where there is so much going on,” says Eding.

What can we do to help?

“The big one is being there to offer support when needed,” says Eding. “Being there to listen, to guide, to heal.”

Being present and aware of what is going on and offering to talk or get help with someone struggling is key.


In an age of technology where we are consumed by our phones, having family dinners to check in with loved ones and offer support where needed is important.

Looking for signs and symptoms to identify when someone might not be doing well, that they may be struggling more than usual, is another way to support loved ones.

You are not alone

Letting them know they are not alone is also essential.

“They are not alone in their experiences, they are not alone in what they are feeling,” says Eding. “There are more people than not who experience the same symptoms who don’t exactly know what they are going through, but know how hard it is to not understand what is happening and be able to reach out for help. Even if that is just a friend, or a loved one, or just calling the National Crisis Line.

Being present and aware is important (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“They are supported, they are understood, and they shouldn’t be afraid to reach out if they don’t understand, or if they just need someone to talk to or someone to help them.”

WCS offers a wide range of services in a variety of fields.

“We support all cultures, we are very accepting of everyone and are open to every stage and every walk of life,” says Eding. “We are always looking to support the mental wellness of all clients.”

Eding notes 10 easy-to-execute tips people can do to better handle emotions, especially during the upcoming holiday season:

  1. Listening to your body
  2. Self-care
  3. Mindfulness
  4. Exercise
  5. Sleep
  6. Laughter
  7. Self-talk
  8. Connections
  9. Deep breathing
  10. Seeking help

Other available resources

WCS currently does not have a waitlist for their services. Their intake line is 616-942-7294.

In crisis times, those with Medicaid insurance can reach out and talk with someone through Network180 Mobile Crisis Response Services.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a variety of information regarding child trauma, anxiety and depression.

“It’s a hard time,” says Eding. “No one can deny that the world today is not the same as it used to be. There are a lot of stressors and a lot of things environmentally and mentally that are challenging, that seem bigger than who we are as a person. And for those, it is always great to reach out and get help.”

Arbor Circle receives grant from Steelcase Foundation in support of children’s mental health

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Arbor Circle teams up with Steelcase Foundation in a common goal to help West Michigan communities (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Arbor Circle works to remove barriers and meet the mental health needs of children, their parents, and their caregivers (Courtesy, Arbor Circle)

Arbor Circle is celebrating a recent $100,000 grant from Steelcase Foundation in support of a 2-year project focused on mental health support for children and families.

As communities continue to recover from the ongoing effects of the pandemic, isolation and lack of consistency has had a significant impact on the social and emotional development of children. The last few years have spotlighted several inequities.

The impact of the pandemic on social determinants of health paired with access to resources such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education have created major challenges and disruptions in the lives of families – specifically communities of color and those in poverty.

Help is on the way

One of Michigan’s most comprehensive providers of mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and family services, Arbor Circle serves thousands of individuals and families each year. With deep roots in West Michigan, Arbor Circle collaborates with local resources to address needs in the community.

Steelcase Foundation connects resources with people by providing grants to nonprofit organizations focused on cultivating thriving communities through education and quality learning experiences.

Together, these two organizations have a common goal.

Removing barriers for a healthier life

Arbor Circle works to remove barriers and meet the mental health needs of children, their parents and caregivers where they are.

A variety of support services will be delivered to the community through the grant (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com

The Steelcase Foundation funds will support services throughout the community, including skill building for parents and caregivers, support for children in meeting both developmental and educational milestones, and specialized mental health support.

“We are deeply grateful to partner with The Steelcase Foundation in this way, and are honored to work together in ensuring that children and families have the tools they need to thrive,” said Kristin Gietzen, President and CEO of Arbor Circle. “We are energized by this support and see great potential in the multi-generational and community-focused approach woven into this project.”

To learn more about Arbor Circle’s children and family services, visit https://arborcircle.org/help/children-families/.

Four simple steps to recognize depression and prevent suicide

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, West Michigan,




By Jessica Jones

Communications Director, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan

Raise your hand if you’re comfortable navigating a conversation about mental health. Now raise your hand if you’re not sure where to start.

At the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, we believe it starts with knowledge, which creates confidence. We empower individuals through our be nice. action plan and programs for schools,
businesses, teams and faith organizations.

“This plan works because it’s simple,” said Christy Buck, Founder of be nice. and Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. “It’s four steps that give you the knowledge to recognize depression, guide you through tough conversations, and empower you with the information and resources you need to start navigating appropriate treatment options. be nice. is simple, powerful and life-saving.”


be nice. program is two-fold

On a macro level, the logo itself is a call to kindness, civility and inclusion. It’s recognizing that how we treat one another has an effect on how a person thinks, acts and feels – their mental health. On a micro level, be nice. is an action plan to equip individuals with the knowledge to recognize, understand,
accept and take action when it comes to mental health through four simple steps – to notice, invite, challenge and empower.

1. notice

Begin by noticing what’s good and right about the people around you so you can notice when something is different. The plan starts with the knowledge to recognize, or notice, the signs and symptoms of a mental health concern or illness.

Behavioral
  • Quitting favorite sport/hobby
  • Avoiding social interaction
  • Sudden/unlikely drug or alcohol use
  • Cry frequently for no reason
  • Neglect responsibilities, loss of motivation
  • Can’t sleep or sleep constantly
Physical
  • Lack of hygiene, personal appearance
  • Fatigue, lack of energy
  • Overeating or loss of appetite
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Headaches
  • Unexplained aches or pains
Psychological
  • Acting out, aggressive, quick to anger
  • Heightened sadness, guilt, indecisiveness
  • Lack of emotional responsiveness
  • Frequent self-criticism
  • Hopelessness, loneliness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

2. invite

When you notice changes lasting two weeks or longer, it’s time to invite yourself to reach out. Many times we notice something is different about the way someone is thinking, acting or feeling, but we don’t address it. Oftentimes, we stay quiet because we don’t want to hurt a person’s feelings, get a negative reaction, or be wrong – with be nice., we keep it simple.

“I’ve noticed ________ and I’m worried about you. Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do to help?” This conversation starter shows that you care and you’re asking from a place of concern. You’re not attacking their actions or character, you’re simply checking in.

3. challenge

The No. 1 reason someone doesn’t speak up when they’re struggling is because of the stigma or shame they feel. They’re worried about how others will perceive them. You can be someone who challenges the stigma surrounding mental health, illness and treatment. You can challenge stigma with your words and empathy! The third step is also about challenging an individual to seek help and utilize resources. Here in West Michigan, we are fortunate to have many local options for help and treatment. We live in a digital age, and there’s a variety of mental health supports available for a wide range of needs.

Nationwide, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline [988] is available 24/7 for anyone struggling with their mental or emotional health who needs a listening ear, immediate coping exercises, or assistance navigating further help.

4. empower

Ultimately, the be nice. action plan is meant to empower individuals with knowledge and resources. The MHF is an organization that educates individuals of all ages and demographics in this life-saving action plan. Having the correct knowledge surrounding mental health gives us the confidence to take action when we notice changes and the empathy to decrease stigma.

Being aware of our protective factors and positive coping mechanisms are great ways to help keep our mental health in check, and further, knowing what resources are available in our schools, teams, workplaces and communities empowers us to be resilient.


988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, call 988 to speak with a professional who can help.

To learn more about each step of the be nice. action plan, visit benice.org.

New mental health facility slated for south of Wyoming

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDHHS”) issued a Final Order granting Havenwyck Hospital, Inc., a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, certificate of need approval for 60 adult psychiatric beds, allowing Universal Health Services and Trinity Health Michigan, in a joint venture, to open a new freestanding inpatient behavioral health hospital in Byron Center, improving access to care for patients.

The new facility will be named Southridge Behavioral Hospital and will be located near Trinity Health’s current facility on 64th Street and Byron Center Avenue. Southridge Behavioral Hospital will accommodate up to 96 beds, including the 60 adult beds plus 24 geriatric beds previously approved by MDHHS. The new facility, to be located near the Trinity Health Medical Center in Byron Center, is anticipated to open in 2024. The hospital will employ approximately 170 full-time and part-time employees including physicians, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians, administration, dietary and housekeeping personnel.

“With CON approval of the 60 inpatient behavioral health beds, we are eager to start construction of the new hospital as expeditiously as possible,” said Diane Henneman, LCSW, Senior Division Vice President, Behavioral Health, UHS. “Trinity Health has a strong reputation as an anchor in West Michigan and we are thrilled to partner with them in bringing more accessible care to more patients – ultimately improving and saving lives.”

The design of the new hospital incorporates today’s modern, innovative, evidence-based care elements that focus on patient safety. Programming will be tailored to individual patient needs, with core psychiatric services and counseling supplemented by enrichment activities such as art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy and outdoor activity.

The new Southridge Behavioral Hospital will seamlessly tie into a growing network of affiliated behavioral health services in the area, including UHS-operated Forest View Hospital and Trinity Health Michigan’s new partnership with Network180 to open a Behavioral Health Crisis Center for the rapid availability of assessment services on a walk-in basis. Further, the new Southridge Behavioral Hospital will provide additional provider and patient choice in the market, specifically at an easily accessible location south of Grand Rapids.

“We look forward to working with UHS to enable the availability of more inpatient behavioral health options in our region,” said Matt Biersack, MD, President of Trinity Health Saint Mary’s. “It is a strategic imperative that we prioritize solutions for individuals in crisis presenting to local hospitals, including our Trinity Health emergency departments, as well as other referral sources. The new facility will be a receiving site enabling initiation of appropriate care, faster.”

In March 2022, an administrative law judge upheld an initial decision by MDHHS to award CON approval for development of the new behavioral health hospital. The Department issued the Final Order approving the project on June 6, 2022.

Resources available for those processing the recent Patrick Lyoya tragedy

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

As protests continue over the April 4 shooting of Patrick Lyoya, several organizations have come forward with resources for the community on dealing with trauma and grief. (pxhere.com)

As many area residents deal with the recent release of video tape of the traffic stop of Patrick Lyoya that resulted in his death, several local organizations have stepped forth to provide resources to help people navigate the difficult conservations of dealing with trauma or grief.

On April 4, Lyoya was stopped by a Grand Rapids police officer and then shot. While the video has been released to the public, the incident is still under investigation.

One of those organizations responding was the Kent County Welcome Plan Steering Committee, which noted that “When critical incidents are seen through the eyes of language barriers, various cultural orientations, and trauma associated with a lifetime of fleeing violence or persecution, we recognize the importance of listening to the voices of New Americans to make our community feel safe for all.”

The Kent County Welcome Plan Steering Committee noted that West Michigan has become home to more than 5,000 Congolese individuals and families.  Lyoya and his family escaped the violence of the Congo in 2014.

Along with encourage people to help the Welcome Plan Steering Committee to create a Welcome Plan that makes all new Americans feel welcome, the committee encourage residents to follow the Mental Health Clinicians of Color Grand Raids, Glimpse of Africa, and the Black Impact Collaborative on Facebook. All of these groups have additional resources and upcoming events for the community process this tragedy, according other Welcome Plan Steering Committee.

Kent Intermediate School District and the Grand Rapids Public Library last week both reminded its staff and the public of community resources each organization offers to the public.

The Kent ISD has a parent resource section for processing trauma. According to the website, the resources provided expert guidance for parents and educators on how to assist students and children in the wake of traumatic events. This includes best practices for addressing violence that has occurred in one’s community and processing media coverage of such incidents.

 

Among the tips for talking to Children About Violence, which is linked to the National Association of School Psychologists page, it recommends:

– Reassure children that they are safe. Validate their feelings and let them discuss those filings, letting them know that their feelings are OK.

– Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide and be patient.

 

– Keep you explanations developmentally appropriate such as with early education, keep language simple and brief with information being balanced with reassurances about safety.

 

– Review safety procedures both at school and home. Hep children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.

– Observe children’s emotional state. Some many not express their feelings but rather, may demonstrate changes in behavior or have anxiety or discomfort.

– Limit television viewing of these events.

– Maintain a normal routine. Keeping a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health.

The Grand Rapids Public Library recently added an Online Mental Health Resources fo Black and African American Communities to its Community Assistance resource on the GRPL’s website.

The site provides links to several organizations such as Black Emotional and Mental Health (BEAM), which is dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black communities.

 

Other organizations listed on the site are:

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation which is working to change the African-American community by encouraging people to get the help ethyl need.

The Leland Foundation which provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy.

 

Innopsych which is brining healing to communities of color by changing the face and feel of therapy.

Mental Health America which is committed to promoting mental health for overall wellness.

Therapy for Black Men, a therapist directory for Black men.

Therapy for Black Girls, an online space encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.

Safe Black Space, an umbrella under which various services are offered to addresses people of African ancestry’s individual and community reactions to cultural and racial trauma. 

In Love and Health: May your month be mentally healthy

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , ,

By Dr. Erik Johnson
Love & Health Chiropractic

Since 1949, when May was first designated as Mental Health Month, we have not collectively experienced the degree of trauma, grief, and stress that this past years COVID-19 pandemic has generated among us. Loss of family members, jobs, social connections, and our daily routines has rocked the foundations of our emotional and mental wellbeing. An April 2020 survey of 24,155 Michigan residents found 79% of respondents reported concern about stress, loneliness, anxiety, and/or depression, with 29% indicating that they were “very” or “extremely” concerned about these mental health symptoms. No doubt, when numbers are compiled for April 2021, we will see even more mental health impacts among Michiganders.

There are two ways you can help stem this tide. One, speak up to reduce the stigma that keeps many from seeking help for mental health concerns. If your children, spouse, family members or friends need help, let them know that you support them in getting that help. If you can’t find the words for the conversation, share the resources listed below.

Second, take care of your own mental health. Last month’s column shared way to relieve stress. If you are grieving the loss of loved ones, you can find support at one of the area’s grief support groups. If you need help, get help! For help dealing with stress, anger, thinking traps, and other issues, check out Mental Health America’sTools2Thrive.

Third, take care of your physical health. Eat healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean chemical-free meats, 100% whole grain breads and cereals, and healthy fats. (Caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can make us feel better for a minute, but overall, can interfere with optimal mental as well as physical health.) Try to get 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Get plenty of sleep. Drink plenty of water. And seek care from your healthcare providers as needed—including chiropractic adjustments.

Loss of spinal health can lead to degeneration and chronic pain. There are numerous studies that investigate the connection between depression and pain (particularly back pain). The unfortunate reality is many people who suffer from depression also suffer from chronic pain, and depression can heighten their perception of pain, creating a downward spiral. Chiropractic adjustments help to keep your spine and nervous system healthy and feeling good, which helps keep you healthy and feeling good!

Mental Health Fast Facts from NAMI-Michigan

Did you know?

  • 1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, but only half get treatment. 
  • 70.4% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness. 
  • 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, but less than half get treatment. 
  • 1 in 20 U.S. adults experiences a serious mental illness each year, but less than two-thirds get treatment.
  • Mental illness and substance use disorders are involved in 1 out of every 8 emergency department visits 
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.

Are you experiencing anxiety, depression, or other symptoms of mental illness? You are not alone. Check out these personal stories shared by folks like you who have experienced mental illness, survived, and thrived via the NAMI Strength Over Silence campaign. The State of Michigan also offers many online mental health resources.

Dr. Erik Johnson DC is a chiropractor at Love and Health Chiropractic in Wyoming at 1586 44th Street SW.

State COVID-19 hotline now offers free, confidential emotional support counseling

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health,

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In addition to information and connections to many COVID-19 related resources, the State of Michigan is now offering confidential emotional support counseling, available 24/7, at no cost to Michigan residents who call the state’s COVID-19 hotline.

Michigan Stay Well counselors are available any time, day or night, by dialing the 888-535-6136 and pressing 8 when prompted. Language translation is available for non-English speakers.

The service is part of a federally funded grant program implemented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) in partnership with the Michigan State Police.

“Because of COVID-19, many of us are grappling with strong emotions, including anxiety, depression and fear,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said in supplied material. “We want Michiganders to know it is okay to have these feelings — and okay to ask for help. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.”

Callers to the COVID-19 hotline will hear a recording that begins by saying to press “8” if they would like to speak with a Michigan Stay Well counselor. The counselors, though not licensed professionals, have received specialized training from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Technical Assistance Center on how to provide emotional support to residents of federally declared disaster areas. A major disaster was declared in Michigan on Friday, March 27, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BHDDA hopes that adding Stay Well counseling services to the hotline will provide callers with relief from the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Emerging or lingering anxiety, distress, irritability and loss of hope are important feelings to recognize in ourselves and others, and it can help to talk to someone,” Dr. Debra Pinals, psychiatrist and MDHHS medical director for behavioral health, said in supplied material. “If it’s helpful, the counselors can also provide callers with referrals to local mental health agencies and substance use disorder support services.”

State employee volunteers also continue to answer general COVID-19 questions on the hotline. The current hours for general questions are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on state and federal COVIOD-19 resources, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell, and well as Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Know the warning signs of suicidal thoughts

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The sharpest rise in suicide rates has occurred among men aged 45 to 64 and girls aged 10 to 14. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Family, friends and acquaintances can play a key role in suicide prevention by being alert for signs and taking action to help someone who may be struggling, a mental health expert says.


Nearly 43,000 Americans commit suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For the past two decades, suicide rates have been rising in the United States, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.


The sharpest rises in suicide rates have occurred among men aged 45 to 64 and girls aged 10 to 14, according to the CDC.


“There remains a lot of stigma associated with people who seek help for mental health, which prevents them from getting the assistance they need. We need to pay more attention to suicide prevention,” said William Zimmermann. He’s a clinician supervisor of New Jersey Hopeline, a suicide prevention hotline operated by Rutgers University’s Behavioral Health Care.


Many people mistakenly believe that suicides happen without warning. But most people who attempt suicide try to communicate their distress or suicide plans to someone, Zimmermann said in a Rutgers news release.


The problem is the suicide plans or thoughts may not be clearly stated, so asking direct questions about suicide can start the conversation and help-seeking process, he said.


Asking someone about suicide won’t put the idea in their head, Zimmermann said.


Warning signs of suicide attempts include increased substance abuse, anxiety, agitation, difficulty sleeping, dramatic mood changes, a feeling of hopelessness and being trapped, having no sense of purpose, social withdrawal, uncontrolled anger and reckless behavior.


If a person talks about wanting to hurt or kill themselves, threatens to hurt or kill themselves, or talks about looking for a method to kill themselves, get them immediate help or guidance by contacting a mental health professional or a suicide prevention hotline, Zimmermann said.


If you’re concerned about someone, ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide, Zimmermann said. He suggested saying things like: “I care about you. Some of the things you’ve said or done have made me wonder. Are you thinking about killing yourself?”


If they say they are considering suicide, don’t judge, don’t deny and don’t promise to keep it a secret, Zimmermann said. Get support for the person talking about suicide and for yourself, he said.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Study links bullying, mental health

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Mental health issues may play a role in driving bullying, researchers have found. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Bullied teens are more likely to develop mental health problems—and people with mental health problems are also more likely to become bullies, researchers report.


Even though many studies have shown that being bullied can leave mental scars, “no studies to date” have tested the notion that mental health issues might also help drive bullying, explained study author Marine Azevedo Da Silva. She’s a postdoctoral researcher in Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, in New York City.


For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 13,200 U.S. youth, aged 12 to 17, and found that:

  • 79% said they’d never bullied others
  • 11% said they’d bullied others over a year ago
  • 10% said they’d bullied others in the past year
  • 16% said they’d bullied others over a month ago
  • 5% said they’d bullied others in the past month

Youth who said they’d been bullies were more likely to have a moderate to high rate of mental health problems than those who said they hadn’t bullied others.


The study also found that teens with moderate to high rates of mental health problems were more likely to bully others, compared to those without such issues.


In other words, the link between mental health issues and bullying “is likely to be bidirectional,” Azevedo Da Silva said in a school news release.


According to study senior author Dr. Silvia Martins, the findings suggest that efforts to stem bullying “should consider how to take into account and handle negative feelings and mental health problems” of young perpetrators.


Martins directs the Substance Abuse Epidemiology Unit at Mailman.


It’s estimated that between 18% and 31% of U.S. youth are involved in bullying, the researchers noted.


The study was published recently in the Journal of Adolescent Health.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Feeling glum? Just embrace it

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It’s far better for your long-term mental health if you accept your negative emotions, rather than passing judgment on yourself. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Feel bad about feeling bad? Don’t.


Studies done at the University of California, Berkeley, have found that acknowledging a blue mood—and not berating yourself for it—can help you work through it more easily.


It turns out that accepting negative emotions is better for your long-term mental health than constantly passing judgment on yourself, which can cause your feelings of negativity to snowball.


Putting pressure on yourself to feel upbeat can make you feel even more downbeat, according to the research.


It turns out that the people who let feelings like sadness, disappointment and even resentment run their course had fewer mood disorder symptoms than people who judged themselves for having them or who tried to bury them.


Accepting negative emotions seems to help you better cope with your stressors.


There’s one important caveat, however.


While it helps to acknowledge the normalness of negative emotions and not think you can—or need—to feel happy 24/7, it’s also important not to ignore a persistent and deep blue mood and other signs that could signal depression.


Symptoms of depression include a loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy and deep feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness that last for three or more months.


Unlike a blue mood, depression needs treatment, such as counseling, medication or both.

Key signs of depression

  • Deep sadness
  • Lack of energy or overwhelming fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Not sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Loss of or marked increase in appetite
  • Irritability

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



School News Network: Onsite clinicians explained mental health services at middle schools

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Principals and nurses are reporting that students are talking about more anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and stressful situations at home. (School News Network)

By Erin Albanese
School News Network

Outpatient therapist Ashtyn Storms is stationed at Wyoming Junior High School, offering onsite mental health support to the diverse, 1,000-student body.

On staff at Cherry Health Health Services for four-and-a-half years, Storms has experience working with adolescents facing myriad issues that can weigh heavily on their minds. She is offering professional counseling services students otherwise may have to leave school for.

“I think sometimes it’s just availability,” said Storms, about how her presence helps students in need of immediate services. She started working at the seventh through ninth grade building in mid-September. 

“It’s being there 40 hours a week during their school day,” she said. “A lot can happen in the course of the school day. You might start off the day wonderful, and then something happens by lunchtime and your day isn’t so wonderful anymore. I think just knowing there is someone in the building you can go to if you need something is huge.”

Ashtyn Storms is on site full-time at Wyoming Junior High School. (School News Network.)

Storms’ position is possible through a two-year state grant from the Michigan Department of Mental Health and Human Services, allocated through a partnership with Cherry Health Services for licensed, master’s level behavioral health providers. Wyoming Public Schools received $100,000 of the grant to hire the clinician. Statewide, 60 schools are sharing the $5 million grant. 

“We felt that a lot of students in those teenage years were seeing increases in anxiety, depression and mental-health needs. We felt it was an excellent place to provide intervention for kids,” said Jason Maas, Wyoming Public Schools director of student services.

Grand Rapids Public Schools was allocated $300,000 from the grant to pay for three mental health staff members. The funds are being split evenly between Alger Middle School, Riverside Middle and City High School, said Kim Baron, a registered nurse and director of school health services. In October, two of the clinicians had been hired.

Needs are significant, Baron said. “In middle school and high school, our principals and nurses are reporting more anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and stressful situations that kids are talking about at home.”

 

According to statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five children ages 13 to 18 have or will have a serious mental illness. Also, suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24.

Baron said the clinicians offer a direct way to help students.

“What we know about middle schoolers is they are trying to figure out who they are, and they are struggling with identity issues,” she said. “If we can give those students some tools to better handle their different struggles with depression, anxiety, hopelessness, social situations, whatever they are struggling with at home at a younger age, maybe we can prevent their mental health issues from getting worse before they get into high school.”

On-site, Immediate Response

Storms provides another layer of support to Wyoming’s district-wide staff of counselors, social workers, psychologists, student advocates and staff from Kent School Services Network, which provides connections to outside community resources in their buildings. 

“We do believe we have good support for our kids, but this is an opportunity to bring in someone who does clinical or therapeutic work with kids,” Maas said of hiring Storms.

Having clinicians onsite removes barriers, Baron said. “With a lot of urban school districts, families struggle with transportation and getting these kids to appointments.” 

“It’s really hard to focus on your algebra when the anxiety of the trauma you’ve experienced is dominating your thoughts. This will give students tools so they can be successful,” Maas added.

GRPS has relied on its nursing staff– 21 district wide– and school academic counselors to field mental health issues and concerns.

“We are hoping these therapists will be able to provide some staff training, too,” Baron said. “We have an amazing team of nurses who are really good at addressing mental illness, but I think if our teachers and other support staff were given more tools to address mental health needs of students, then students would feel more supported.”- Sponsorship –

Paws for peacefulness

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There’s an infinite amount of calm and comfort to be had in the company of dogs, cats and birds. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay

 

Cats, dogs, birds and other pets can help people manage their mental disorders, a study says.

 

Researchers from the United Kingdom asked more than 50 adults with long-term mental conditions about the role pets play in their social networks.

 

Sixty percent placed pets in the central and most important circle—above family, friends and hobbies. Another 20 percent placed pets in the second circle.

 

Many said the constant presence and close proximity of their pets provide an immediate source of calm. For some, a pet helps distract them from symptoms and upsetting experiences such as hearing voices or suicidal thoughts.

 

“You just want to sink into a pit … the cats force me to sort of still be involved with the world,” one patient said.

 

Another patient said: “I’m not thinking of the voices, I’m just thinking of the birds singing.”

 

The findings were published in the journal BMC Psychiatry.

 

“The people we spoke to through the course of this study felt their pet played a range of positive roles, such as helping them to manage stigma associated with their mental health by providing acceptance without judgment,” said study lead author Helen Brooks, from the University of Manchester.

 

“Pets were also considered particularly useful during times of crisis,” Brooks said in a journal news release.

 

“Pets provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which [the patients] were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,” she said.

 

Despite this, pets weren’t considered in the individual care plans for any of the people in the study, Brooks said.

 

The results suggest pets should be considered a main source of support in the management of long-term mental health problems, Brooks and her colleagues concluded.

 

Through open discussion of what works best for individual patients, the mental health community might better involve people in their own mental health care, she said.

 

Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

New Year, New… Blah?

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By Ronald Christian Rivera, LMSW, Outpatient Therapist

 

New Year, new blah… The fact that I put off writing this blog entry (New Year’s inspirational) until the end of January shows my lack of interest for hallmark catchphrases and societally forced transformations. Now, I know I’m coming off as somewhat pessimistic, but I’m the kind of person that thinks we should be seeking growth and transformation in our daily lives and not simply at the beginning of the year. Most of us sprint towards desired changes until we’re faced with obstacles and challenges that our new routines bring about, and in no time we find ourselves right back where we started.

 

Let me back up a bit and say that I do think there’s something special in regards to the hope and inspiration that a new year brings. For some people it represents a fresh start or a clean slate. If you’re someone that finds that spark for change due to this time of the year, then more power to you. Maybe I should be more embracing of this annual gift.

 

In treatment we have a scientific phrase used to describe the catalyst for change or universal phenomenon that we refer to as, “whatever works.” So, if kicking off the New Year generates newly found motivation in you to _____________ (insert New Year’s Resolution), then that’s the antidote to ambivalence. Below I have provided a rather commonsensical, yet overlooked, “how-to” guide that (hopefully) may assist in following through with your New Year’s Resolutions for 2016. “May the odds be ever in your favor.”- Katniss Everdeen (I think).

 

Comprehensive guide to achieving your New Year’s Resolution goals:

  1. Slow and steady wins the race. Set small, measurable, bite size goals that can be reasonably achieved within 1-3 months. This will help you to build off of your daily progress which in turn will provide additional motivation to stick with your plan as you meet short term goals and continue to raise the bar. Example: Instead of saying, “I want to get in shape by summer.” Try, “I’m going to exercise three times a week for the next month and aim to lose 10 pounds.”
  2. Your language matters. There have been some interesting articles that I’ve read throughout the years in regards to how our irrational thoughts can prevent us from taking risks and challenging our comfort zone. Negative thoughts, intrusive thoughts, and self-defeating attitudes can be toxic for anyone who is attempting to make changes in their lives. Even when we have the motivation to try something new and dare to take a leap of faith, our inner critic is right there to remind us of why we shouldn’t. Silencing our inner critic can be challenging, but one effective way to combat that pesky inner voice is by mindfully speaking to ourselves with the wisdom and encouragement that we would give to our best friends. Example: Instead of allowing your friend to dwell on past failures after experiencing a set back on a new business venture, it would be more constructive to challenge their negative attitude by helping them focus on past accomplishments that were only met after overcoming adversity. It is essential that we channel this stream of positivity and affirmation in moments of “self-talk” in order to silence the voice of self-defeat.
  3. Make it fun! This is a big one for me. If the resolution you’re looking to make involves a significant lifestyle change, then it is essential that you have a fun time doing it. We humans love our habits, and man, is it difficult to lose our comforts no matter how destructive or maladaptive they may be. Example: For some of us that might be finding the simple pleasures of adjusting to an early morning routine and for others it could be finding a creative exercise to stay in shape if running or biking are not your cup of tea. The takeaway is this: the more fun or pleasure we get from the activity the more likely our body will crave that we repeat it.

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Self-care for parents and caregivers

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By Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension

 

Raising young children can be stressful and from time to time it can take its toll on parents and other caregivers. Self-care is a crucial way to ensure adults caring for young children are prepared to invest the time and energy they need to be the best caregivers they can be. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you may not have much left to give your children.

 

Michigan State University Extension has some suggestions for making sure parents and caregivers take the time for self-care.

 

Make sure your basic needs are met. In the hustle of trying to take care of young children, the needs of parents and caregivers often get overlooked. Think about the energy you invest in making sure your child’s needs are met. You make sure they get enough to drink and eat, provide enough time for them to get the restful sleep they need as well as the exercise and time to play—do you do the same for yourself?

 

Make it a routine. Just like you develop routines for your child, make self-care part of your daily routine. Come up with simple routines you can do to help you relax and unwind and take care of yourself. Maybe it’s taking a quick walk by yourself a few days a week or making time to bake if that’s a hobby you enjoy.

 

Start small. Big changes can seem intimidating, so don’t think of increasing your self-care as something big you have to do overnight. Break up the task into small pieces and find something small to start with, like challenging yourself to drinking less caffeine to help you sleep better at night. Try writing down your goals and keeping track of your efforts—this can help motivate you to keep going and is a great way to see your progress. Once you have incorporated that change, try making another small change.

 

Model self-care for your child. Let your child know what you’re doing and why self-care is so important. You can tell them, “This is Daddy’s time to himself. When I go for a walk alone it gives me time to think and helps me feel calm and relaxed.” Children learn from watching us and when we show them we value self-care, they learn to value it too.

 

Investing in your own well-being is a way to invest in your child’s well-being. Take the time to nurture yourself so you have the energy and motivation to nurture your child.

 

For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

 

To learn about the positive impact children and families experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 impact report. Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the Michigan 4-H website.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Tips for type 1 diabetes teens that struggle with an eating disorder

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Teens with type 1 diabetes are twice as likely to experience an eating disorder, so it’s important to watch out for symptoms.

By Pam Daniels, Michigan State University Extension and Emily Marr, Mecosta County Student Intern

 

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, surveys estimate that 20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. For teens with type 1 diabetes (T1D) eating disorders can be characterized by actions of both manipulating food and manipulating medications.

 

Characteristics & symptoms of eating disorders

 

Studies from the Journal of Diabetes Science & Technology have shown that girls and women with T1D are about 2.5 times more likely to develop eating disorders than those who do not have diabetes.

 

When referring to an eating disorder involving insulin restriction, a common term used is diabulimia: (di meaning diabetes/ bulimia meaning to purge) The American Association of Diabetes Educators explains common characteristics of diabulimia, which include:

  • Obsession – Constantly focus on eating and counting food
  • Poor self-image – The result T1D has on self-image
  • Comparing oneself to others – Due to the increased average weight associated with T1D compared to teens without.

The Journal of Diabetes Science & Technology and American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) report a list of symptoms associated with diabulimia:

  • Insulin restrictions or purging – T1D often include insulin restriction as a way of calorie “purging” (getting rid of calories) this can lead to severe medical consequences.
  • Insulin manipulation – Skipping or under-dosed insulin regimes.
  • Being underweight and weight loss – Fast and drastic weight loss also increases the risk of both acute and long-term T1D complications and increased risk of death.
  • Poor adherence to one or more treatment regimens.
  • Poor metabolic control with elevated glycated hemoglobin (A1C) – The A1C percentage measures how much sugar is attached to the blood’s hemoglobin protein.
  • Recurrent symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) & recurrent episodes of ketoacidosis (a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones).
  • Growth retardation and pubertal delay.

The most current information on diabulima

 

You can find the most current information concerning diabulima from the National Eating Disorder Association, including:

  • Warning signs and symptoms
  • Identity and eating disorders
  • Body Image
  • Prevention
  • Statistics and research
  • Treatment

There is treatment, help and support for those struggling with eating disorders. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, please seek help. Contact your primary care doctor, a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders.

 

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, please seek help. Contact your primary care doctor, a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders or the National Eating Disorder Association. For more information on nutrition, health and diabetes self-management visit Michigan State University Extension.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Finding out what ‘well-being’ means to you

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Well-being involves finding a state of balance and being well both physically and mentally.

By Tracie Abram, Michigan State University Extension

 

What does “well-being” mean? As I ponder this question, I chuckle because I hardly ever hear people talking about how “well” they are. They usually talk about their problems, their aches and pains or stressors whether we want to hear about them or not. In other words, how “unwell” they are. When someone says they are concerned for your well-being, it typically means they are concerned about your overall health; your mental and physical health.

Well-being can be defined as having:
  • Positive relationships with yourself and others
  • Personal mastery — having feelings of accomplishment or self-worth
  • Autonomy — being able to make your own choices
  • A feeling of purpose and meaning in life
  • Personal growth and development

Our mental health relates to how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected.

 

One path to well-being is finding a state of balance that works for you. (Courtesy MSU Extension)

Experiencing a mental health issue or problem does not necessarily mean you have a diagnosable mental illness or disorder. Being able to talk freely about mental health issues is important in breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health. Mental health problems are much more common than many people realize, for example, more than 43 million Americans experience some form of mental illness in a given year. Help is available for anyone experiencing problems related to their mental health.

Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
  • Biological environmental factors
  • Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
  • Family history of mental health problems
Finding your state of balance

One approach to well-being is through achieving a “state of balance” affected by both challenging and rewarding life events. This state of balance is the ultimate goal, but a subjective one — meaning that you are the only one who can judge whether you have reached it. A state of balance can look different for each of us.

 

Author of the Nurturing Parenting Programs, Dr. Stephen Bavelek, states that there are specific needs that help us remain balanced or build resiliency. To remember them, he developed an acronym called the “Spices of Life.” Bavelek states that the more “spices” you have, the more resilient you become.

Dr. Stephen Bavelek’s “Spices of Life” acronym:

  • Social
  • Physical
  • Intellectual
  • Creativity
  • Emotional
  • Spiritual

Perhaps you are drawn to one or two spices that help you maintain a feeling of balance? My go-to spices when feeling stressed are talking to a friend (social), going for a walk or run (physical) and praying (spiritual), but I am grateful that I have the capability to access any and all of them when and if I am in need.

 

When you approach health with well-being in mind there are a wide variety of ways to maintain, improve and most importantly, enjoy your health!

 

Michigan State University Extension provides free and low-cost community-based health programs throughout Michigan. These include RELAX: Alternatives to Anger and Stress Less with Mindfulness, programs that can help people manage stress and anger and cultivate personal well-being.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you know? Your child needs a check-up once a year

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Courtesy Cherry Health

 

By Cherry Health

 

Pediatric services are available at Heart of the City Health Center and Westside Health Center. Babies and children need more doctor’s visits when they are changing and growing the fastest. Get your child on the right health care path by scheduling an appointment today. We provide a full range of services under one roof.

 

Grand Rapids:

Heart of the City Health Center
Westside Health Center

 

Westside Health Center Pediatrics

 

At Westside Health Center Pediatrics, we want to take care of the whole patient by working as a team. We are improving what we do by changing the way we care for you.

 

Asthma care is provided as a team. The doctor checks the patient to make sure they have a healthy body. The RN Health Coach teaches the patient and family how to make living with asthma easier.

 

We also have team visits with a doctor and Health Coach for weight check ups. The doctor provides the physical check up at the visit. The Health Coach teaches the patient and family about healthy behaviors that are part of a healthy lifestyle, and helps the family set healthy living goals.

 

Complete health means taking care of our minds, too. When minds are not healthy, home and school can be difficult. Counseling services are provided on site in a place where the patient and family already feel comfortable. A psychiatrist is also on site to provide specialized help when needed.

 

Services available

  • Well child visits, sports, work and camp physicals
  • Immunizations
  • Lab work and diagnostic testing
  • Treatment for minor illness and injuries
  • Treatment for asthma, obesity and other conditions
  • Referrals for more serious illness, injuries and additional care
  • Access to behavioral health, dental and vision services
  • On-site pharmacy services
  • Free interpretation services
  • Online Patient Portal
  • Nurses available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for questions or assistance
  • Evening and weekend hours
  • Same day/next day appointments

Check out our new videos featuring asthma instruction and fun ways to get the kids moving!

 

Videos

 

Reach out and Read

 

Wyoming Community Health Center (courtesy Cherry Health)

Six of our locations participate in the national, research-proven school readiness program called Reach out and Read. This program, designed for children ages 6 months through 5 years of age provides a child with a new book at each regular check up to take home. Trained providers speak with parents about the importance of reading aloud and waiting rooms are filled with kids books. The goal of Reach out and Read is to help children be better prepared for kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills and a six-month developmental edge.

Women Infants and Children Program (WIC)

 

Cherry Health collaborates with the Kent County Health Department to offer the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) at Cherry Street Health Center and Westside Health Center. This is a state-funded nutrition education and food supplement program for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children up to age five. A registered dietitian provides counseling and education, as well as healthy foods to encourage proper nutrition, growth and development during pregnancy and the formative years of childhood. Breastfeeding education and support are also offered in the WIC Program. Pregnant women seen at any of our sites are offered WIC services, based on specific nutritional needs and income eligibility. For additional information, please contact 616.776.2134.

 

Maternal Infant Health Program

 

The Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) is a parent support and coaching program for pregnant mothers and infants. If you are pregnant or have a baby under a year old, and are Medicaid eligible, you can receive MIHP as part of your insurance coverage.

 

MIHP services are provided by a team to support and encourage new parents. Services can be provided in your home, our office, or another place that you choose in the community.

 

We can help you:

  • Feel prepared for your baby’s birth
  • Make good choices for you and your baby
  • Understand your pregnancy and your baby’s development
  • Find medical care for you and your baby
  • Find the right resources in the community

MIHP involves a whole team in supporting families.

  • Your nurse will answer your questions and give you information about healthy pregnancy and infant development.
  • Your social worker will help you adjust to your pregnancy and parenting, handle stress, and find the resources you need.
  • The dietitian will help you understand healthy eating for pregnancy and how to feed your baby.

Community health workers can provide support, encouragement, and education as well as hands-on help connecting to resources in the community.

 

The community health workers are part of the Strong Beginnings program, which provides enhanced services for African-American and Latina moms participating in MIHP.

 

If you would like to receive MIHP and Strong Beginnings or learn more, please contact the MIHP Manager at 616.965.8332.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

5 Local Things You Need to Know: Headlines for the week

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Senior Living, Tech Trends, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Kentwood Fire Department annual report highlights funding, manpower, emergency calls

Kentwood Fire Department Chief Brent J. Looman presented, and the City Commission accepted, the department’s 2017 annual report at the commission’s April 9 regular meeting, with highlights including funding, manpower and last year’s emergency calls.

 

For the complete story, click here.

 

School News Network: Wyoming Public Schools selects one of its own for top spot

“Dream big, work hard and make it happen”: That’s the mantra of Craig Hoekstra, a familiar face in the district, who this week was selected as the new superintendent.

 

For the complete story, click here.

 

Kentwood to hold Community Clean-Up Day this week

Kentwood Public Works Department oversees the city’s recycling center.

The City of Kentwood is sponsoring a Community Clean-Up Day for residents wanting to spring clean their homes and yards. The Community Clean-Up Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., will allow residents to bring general debris, gently used items for donation, household hazardous materials and electronic devices to be recycled.

 

For the complete story, click here.

Good mental health habits for kids

May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Children can have mental health challenges just as adults can. As a matter of fact, over 2 million children in Michigan experience mental health challenges such as ADHD, anxiety and depression.

 

For the complete story, click here.

Employment in the Digital Age — free computer literacy workshops available

West Michigan Works! is now offering a free workshop to help individuals gain basic computer skills. Computer Literacy helps attendees become comfortable using a computer, accessing the internet and using email — all of which can help you find, apply and qualify for a new job.

 

For the complete story, click here.

Good Mental Health Habits for Kids

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Courtesy Cherry Health

By Mandy Dahms, RN, Registered Nurse Care Manager

 

May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Children can have mental health challenges just as adults can. As a matter of fact, over 2 million children in Michigan experience mental health challenges such as ADHD, anxiety and depression. In order to decrease this number, it is very important to provide our children with whatever there is possible to promote good mental health. The following are some simple suggestions to promote the mental health of a child:

  • Make sure that your child gets regular exercise, balanced meals, plenty of sleep and has time for relaxation.
  • Talk about your child’s troubles with them. Let your child know that their concerns are important to you.
  • Be a role model. Talk about your own feelings when possible, apologize, and don’t express anger with violence.
  • Provide your children with unconditional love. The love, security, and acceptance trio are the foundation to children’s good mental health.
  • Praise your children for the little and big things they do for the first time and/or well, encourage them to make the next steps and help them explore and learn about new things.
  • Surround your child with supportive teachers and care takers.
  • Bring fun and playfulness into your routines. Families tend to stick to routines and forget to have fun. If your child seems stressed or overwhelmed by the routine change it up; for example, every Friday night your family goes to the library – change it up and go to a movie, play games or simply find something different to do.

Children can live happy and productive lives that are filled with love, harmony, and great mental health, but it will take us adults to help them in this direction!

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Grand Rapids Public Museum explores the workings of the mind in upcoming exhibit

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Jim Pestka, university distinguished professor of food science and human nutrition, Melissa Bates, Ph.D student and Jack Harkema, university distinguished professor of pathobiology, work at the microscope on Tuesday August 30, 2016. (Photo supplied)

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) just announced a new exhibit, The Life of the Mind, opening Saturday, October 21, telling the story of mental health treatment from the late 18th century through to today.

 

The Life of the Mind explores the evolution of mental health care based on an increase in knowledge of how the brain and mind works and on society’s changing perspectives of mental illnesses.

 

Featured artifacts from the GRPM’s extensive Collections provide fascinating evidence about the progression of medical intervention for mental illness from radical treatments of the 19th and 20th centuries, to the more research-based therapies of present-day practice.

 

This new exhibit will accompany the traveling exhibition Brain: The World Inside Your Head offering visitors a deeper dive and local angle on the subject matter.

 

“The Museum continuously works to add a Grand Rapids component to all of our experiences for the community. With the Brain exhibit, it’s a natural tie to the topic of mental health, and is a collaboration with local students at Calvin College,” said Dale Robertson, President & CEO of the GRPM. “The exhibit is unique as it tells the story of nationwide changes to mental health treatments over time using Grand Rapids artifacts.”

 

Many artifacts featured in The Life of the Mind were generously donated to the GRPM by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Hospital where they had been originally used. Established in 1910, Pine Rest is one of only a handful of private, independent, free-standing behavioral healthcare institutions that remains in the United States, and is one of the largest with 198 inpatient beds.

 

The Life of the Mind exhibit was developed by GRPM staff, based on a student project from Calvin College, where Historical Research and Writing students presented the concepts of a mental health exhibit to tell of the technological and societal changes in advancement of mental health care. The GRPM has worked with the History Department at Calvin College since 2011 in various capacities, including provided Collections access for several classes.

 

This exhibit is running in conjunction with the Museum’s current traveling exhibit Brain: The World Inside Your head. Both exhibits are included with the cost of general admission to the Museum, and run through January 7, 2018.

 

Brain: The World Inside Your Head

 

Brain literally takes you inside the head to probe the geography of a giant brain and stand in the midst of the brain’s constant electrical brainstorm as thoughts and sensations are generated.

 

Upon entry into the exhibit, visitors walk through a shimmering tunnel of flashing fiber-optics that illuminates networks of neurons firing and communicating. From this dynamic beginning, Brain invites guests deeper into the brain to discover its basic workings. Trace this brain’s development from infancy through old age, learn the evolution of scientists’ understanding of the brain’s physiology and study the re-created skull of Phineas Gage — a man who survived after his brain was pierced by a metal rod.

 

For audiences of all ages, the experience-based exhibit employs innovative special effects, 3D reproductions, virtual reality, hands-on learning activities and interactive technology to delve into the inner workings of the brain, including its processes, potentials and mysteries.

 

 

For more information about The Life of the Mind or other exhibits and activities at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit grpm.org.

Healthy Men Michigan: Caring for Men’s Mental Health

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By ACSET Community Action Agency

 

A strongly held social norm in Western culture is that boys don’t cry and real men are tough. Healthy Men Michigan and former Detroit Lions quarterback and FOX NFL color analyst, Eric Hipple, disagree. Eric is a suicide loss survivor and mental health advocate who has dedicated the last 17 years of his life to building awareness and breaking the stigma around depression and mental illness. Healthy Men Michigan is a campaign dedicated to engaging men in conversations about mental health. Together they are working to help save lives in Michigan.

 

The rate of suicide in Michigan has risen almost 40% since 2000 and is considered one of the top 10 causes of death in our state. The most significant increase was found in working-aged men. This is partially because men are less likely than women to recognize and seek help for mental health issues. Healthy Men Michigan is targeting this group to help them become aware of their mental fitness and address issues before it’s too late.

Healthy Men Michigan is helping men:

Recognize the symptoms

At healthymenmichigan.org, anyone—regardless of gender—can take an online, anonymous self-assessment to see if they have symptoms of depression.

 

Get rid of the stigma

Depression and mental illness are medical conditions that can be treated. Healthy Men Michigan is offering a free webinar, Tackling Men’s Mental Fitness, by Eric Hipple on Monday, September 25 from 12-1 pm. Participants will learn about his personal loss, struggle and recovery. Interested? Register here!

 

Connect to Resources

Find a listing of local mental health care facilities and substance abuse services in West Michigan on the Healthy Men Michigan website.  Most counties include phone numbers for 24 hour emergency services for those in crisis.

 

Over six million men in the US experience depression. It is a common condition that is treatable. Seeking help shows strength and courage. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there is help. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255) or call 911. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has confidential, emotional support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org

Students Speak Out About Mental Health

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Hidden Pain: Bringing Youth Mental Health Out of the Shadows is a series on students' mental health, the sources of their distress, and how schools and communities can help.
Hidden Pain: Bringing Youth Mental Health Out of the Shadows is a series on students’ mental health, the sources of their distress, and how schools and communities can help. Photos from School News Network

By: Charles Honey and Erin Albanese – School News Network

For students battling anxiety and depression, sometimes the greatest stress comes from seeking success.

In today’s culture of high-stakes testing, high-cost college and all-everything excellence, getting anything less than an A on an exam can push a student’s panic button. So say local students who work to help their peers suffering from mental-health issues.

“A lot of people feel pressure to be the best – that all-star student, athlete, child,” said Bri Houle, a senior at Rockford High School, where 21.5 percent of her classmates have 3.9 grade-point averages or higher. Even though she is a trained peer listener for students having problems, she admits she puts some of that pressure on herself at test time, causing her anxiety.

“If I got a B, my mom would be like, ‘That’s great, that’s fine, it’s just one test,’” Bri added. “But I can’t physically, mentally be OK with that.”

Lucas Buck sees similar anxieties at Grandville High School: students putting pressure on themselves because of test stress, worries about college and careers and balancing their busy schedules. The Grandville senior also sees pressure on his generation coming from social media and hyper-vigilant parents.

“One friend got a B on an AP calculus test and she freaked out,” said Lucas, president of the City of Wyoming Teen Council, which works to get students involved in their communities. Helping students deal with anxiety and depression is a priority for the group this year.

From these student leaders’ perspectives, the relentless push to excel is a major challenge to many students’ mental well-being. But they say problems at home or with their friends, feelings of social isolation and the invasive power of social media also pile onto students’ daily lives, leading some to depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Students Helping Students

Bri Houle and Nick Ignatoski head a group trained to listen to and support students with their problems.
Bri Houle and Nick Ignatoski head a group trained to listen to and support students with their problems.

That’s why Lucas, Bri and other students are involved in student organizations that reach out to classmates who need extra support – and, increasingly, professional counseling.

“It’s a huge issue for us,” said Nick Ignatoski, co-president with Bri of a student advisory board for Rockford Public Schools’ Developing Healthy Kids program. “One is too many – one suicide or one person with a mental-health issue is too many. If we can find that one person, that’s our goal.”

Students are pursuing that goal along with school counselors, administrators and agency therapists who say they’re seeing a rise in student mental-health problems. As part of SNN’s continuing series on the issue, educators say they’re making more referrals to mental-health agencies, some of which have had to add beds for teens and children.

Interviews with students in Rockford, Grandville and Wyoming show they share their school administrators’ concerns about the trend – and are trying to do something about it.

At Rockford High School, Bri and Nick are part of a Peer Listeners group trained to meet with students having problems, and refer them to counselors if necessary. They also serve as advisers to the district’s Developing Healthy Kids series, which focuses largely on mental health. At the next public assembly on Jan. 19, students will talk about their pressures and preoccupations, while a therapist will discuss how teen minds work.

So far this school year, 19 students have had meetings with Peer Listeners, who fill out feedback forms about the encounters. Many of those have documented students struggling with depression, said school counselor Sarah Young.

Fitting In, Standing Out

Some of the problems that Young and the Peer Listeners see derive from being in a big school of about 2,000 students. That can breed a sense of isolation in some students, or unintentionally leave a new student sitting by herself at lunch, Young said.

“Especially at a place this big, it’s hard to make a name for yourself or stand out,” said Nick, who competes in baseball and plans to study bio-engineering at Michigan State University. “Students try so hard to do that, whatever they can to find that spot. I think sometimes that is too much.”

This is in a school culture that prides itself on excellence – where “mediocrity is not OK,” as Young put it, and where many students compete to be the top academic achievers. Further, social media can add another kind of competition waged on students’ smartphones.

“Some people definitely care how many ‘likes’ they get on things or ‘favorites’ compared to their peers,” Bri said. “If they don’t get a certain amount of ‘likes’ on Instagram within a certain time, they’ll take it down.”

Worse are subtle forms of cyberbullying. A popular one is “sub-tweeting,” where students post mean messages on Twitter about another student’s tweet, but without naming the person. For the target of the sub-tweet, it can be embarrassing or humiliating.

Bri insisted she doesn’t dwell on her social-media popularity.

“I have my select group of friends,” said Bri, a lacrosse player who plans to study athletic training in college. “What do I care if somebody else doesn’t like the picture I posted?”

Taking Its Toll

At Grandville High School, Lucas Buck said the toll mental-health issues take on students can affect their whole outlook.

Grandville senior Lucas Buck is president of a teen council concerned about student mental health.
Grandville senior Lucas Buck is president of a teen council concerned about student mental health.

“It’s an important subject because someone’s mental health can really dictate how their life is and how they see the world,” Lucas said.

It’s one of his prime concerns as president of the Teen Council. The group partnered earlier this year with the Wyoming Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee to survey Grandville, Wyoming, Kelloggsville and other area high school students about concerns facing teenagers today. One of the biggest was mental health.

Teen Council members plan to choose a cause this year to help students with anxiety, depression and other concerns. Last year, members participated in a three-week Mental Health Series at Wyoming Junior High School to link families with resources and get students involved with positive activities.

“Depression is a big problem at our school,” said Wyoming High School senior Candice McKenzie, a Teen Council member.

She’s also noticed students with tendencies to self-harm — cutting their skin — since she was in middle school. Some hide the cuts and others call attention to them, she said.

Candice said teens face myriad problems in their home lives and get caught up in portraying an unrealistic image glorified by the media. Social media interactions only compound that pressure.

Lucas said there’s still stigma behind getting help for mental illness, but programs like the Be Nice campaign, which is very active in Grandville, are making a difference. Be Nice, started by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, educates people about mental well-being, anti-bullying and the importance of treating others with civility.

Student Support is Key

Candice McKenzie says depression is a big problem among her Wyoming High School classmates.
Candice McKenzie says depression is a big problem among her Wyoming High School classmates.

Rockford also has programs in place to support students and spot bullying, such as the OK2SAY state reporting system. It also offers a broad range of clubs and activities, from a Gay Straight Alliance to a women’s empowerment club. These can help students find friends and motivation for school, Bri and Nick say.

Above all, students need involvement – and other students to care about them – in order to feel good about themselves, Nick said.

“Everybody’s different, so it might be a two-person club,” he added. “But if those people are good support for each other, then that’s perfect.”

CONNECT
Rockford Peer Listeners
Wyoming Teen Council Facebook page

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

Michigan Selected as Finalist for First-of-its-kind Mental Health Initiative

Community Health, Non-Profits, Politics, , ,

mental-healthU.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today announced that Michigan will be awarded $982,373 to compete in a nation-wide program to improve and expand access to mental health care. This first-of-its-kind initiative is based on Senator Stabenow’s Excellence in Mental Health Act, which is one of the most significant steps forward in community mental health funding in decades.

Selected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Michigan is one step closer to being chosen to be part of a new eight-state demonstration program to expand quality mental health care. This new program will offer patients increased services like 24-hour crisis psychiatric care, counseling, and integrated treatments for mental illness. Senator Stabenow’s bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health Act was cosponsored by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and signed into law by President Obama last year.

“Mental illness touches every family in some way,” Senator Stabenow said. “It is critically important that communities in Michigan have the resources they need to help everyone living with mental illness. We must continue to work together to make sure illnesses above the neck are treated the same as illnesses below the neck.”

Michigan is one of 24 states selected to work with interested community mental health centers, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, VA clinics, and other mental health organizations to design a state program that meets the new quality standards for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers. The eight states chosen to participate in the demonstration program will increase funding for community mental health services and improve the quality of those services. This is the first step toward funding quality behavioral health services in communities nation-wide.

Debbie Stabenow
Senator Stabenow

“We are excited to receive a planning grant for the State of Michigan to design and implement a structure that will further integrate and coordinate behavioral health and primary care, improve outreach to consumers in the greatest need and provide needed and effective coordination of care among providers in multiple settings throughout the state,” said Jeff Patton, CEO of Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Senator Stabenow has been a life-long advocate for quality mental health services. She authored the mental health parity provisions in the Affordable Care Act to stop discrimination in coverage between physical and behavioral health services. Senator Stabenow introduced the Excellence in Mental Health Act with Senator Blunt in 2013 to put mental health centers on a more equal footing with other health centers by improving quality standards and expanding access.

The law is supported by over 50 mental health organizations, veterans organizations and law enforcement organizations including: the National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Association, American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Council for Behavioral Healthcare, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mental Health America, National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Give An Hour, among many others.

A full list of the 24 states awarded funding can be found here.

Help Save a Life: September is Suicide Prevention Month

Community Health, , , , ,

depressed-womanSo far this year, 47 suicides have been completed in Kent County. Six of those who died so far in 2015 were 19 years of age or less, the same number of suicides for that age group in all of 2014. We can work now to prevent another lost life. September is Suicide Prevention Month, and Thursday, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. The Kent County Health Department wants you to know there is help available.

People considering suicide will sometimes talk or write about death or dying. Some will actually look for items to use in a suicide attempt, such as weapons and drugs. You may note dramatic mood swings or personality changes in someone who is suicidal, a loss of interest in daily activities, and/or hopelessness. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention suggests if you suspect someone needs help:

– Begin by telling the suicidal person you are concerned about him or her.

– Tell them specifically what they have said or done that makes you feel concerned about suicide.

– Ask if the person is considering suicide, and whether he or she have a particular plan or method in mind. (These questions will not push them toward suicide if they were not considering it.)

– Ask if they are seeing a clinician or are taking medication so the treating person can be contacted.

– Do not try to argue someone out of suicide. Let them know you care, that they are not alone and that

If you think someone is considering suicide, call 911 or take the person to the nearest emergency department for professional help. “There are many professionals in Kent County committed to helping people who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts,” said Adam London, Administrative Health Officer of the Kent County Health Department. “We need to be sure that people can easily find these important resources.”

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and one call connects you to local resources. This line is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, and your call is free.

The moment one life ends from suicide, the pain and struggles begin for those left behind. The Healthy Kent Suicide Prevention Coalition is teamed up with Network180 for a “Survivor Outreach Program.” Trained volunteers offer support to family members and friends who are struggling with loss. The hotline—which can be reached at 616.336.3909—will put you in touch with a coordinator, who will contact the family in person or over the phone in the next 3-5 days.

*There will be a free screening of a new movie that follows a boy’s journey after he finds out his father died by suicide. The movie Hope Bridge begins at 6:30 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema South in Grand Rapids. Seating is based on a first come, first serve basis. If you can’t make Thursday night’s event, there are several other screenings happening throughout September for Suicide Prevention Month.