Many students feel anxiety as a new school year approaches, no matter their age.
Board certified behavior analyst Katrina Newman of Wedgwood Christian Services (WCS) has developed a 10-point tip sheet to help parents and children prepare for the upcoming school year.
Due to her prior experience as a teacher and currently part of the after school program of the WCS Autism Center for Child Development (ACCD), Newman recognizes that children with autism often struggle with change more than most.
The carefully crafted tip sheet aims to ensure that parents and children – with and without autism – start the year off in comfortable fashion.
Alleviating back-to-school jitters
Changes in routine can be stressful for all ages (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“Most kids on the spectrum, or even not on the spectrum, feel anxious about going from summer to school,” said Newman. “It’s a big change.
“Anytime there’s a change in routine, it’s really important to have a plan and to practice. That really makes your child more comfortable and helps them to know what to expect.”
Much of the anxiety that comes with starting a new school year can come from not knowing what to expect when they walk in the school doors for the first time.
Some common questions youth have are: Where do we enter the school? Where do we line up? What’s the routine? Did anything change over the summer? Other questions may revolve around getting on the bus for the first time, carpooling for the first time, or having to walk down to the lunchroom.
Having the answers to those questions before the first day of school, Newman says, is really important.
Practice makes perfect
Many schools offer open houses the week before school to help alleviate some of that anxiety. However, there are several other options for parents with anxious children.
“It’s really important to stress that walking through the parking lot and walking through the hallways can be really intimidating, so you want to make sure you practice for safety and that kids know where they’re supposed to go,” says Newman.
Setting up a station at home for notes and permission slips that parents can check regularly also helps. “Have a folder so everybody knows where to put them and parents can check that folder,” Newman says.
Having kids practice their school sleep schedule in advance is also beneficial because it takes 2-3 weeks for our bodies to get used to the change. Even practicing that change a few days in advance can be worthwhile.
“Being consistent, that’s really important,” says Newman. “Whenever you do start it, just keep it going so that their body and their rhythms can get used to getting up a little earlier and going to bed a little earlier then in the summer.”
For children who struggle more with social anxiety, role-playing can be beneficial.
“It’s important to practice introducing yourself and role-play making friends,” Newman says, adding that it can be as simple as telling someone your name, asking for that person’s name, and trying to find something in common with them.
“You might point out something like, ‘You have a Minecraft shirt on – I love Minecraft. What’s your favorite way to play?’” says Newman. “Just looking at those visual cues and trying to connect with people, that’s an important skill.”
Gaining perspective through books
There is also value in reading books to younger children that focus on back-to-school jitters.
Kids might relate to the main character who also feels anxiety or is unsure what to expect. They may also simply feel excitement.
WCS book recommendations to prepare your child for the first day of school (Courtesy, WCS)
“As they read, they’ll have a pretty good idea of what the first day will look like,” says Newman. “[The book] has a lot of details that they might not bring up, but then after reading the book you can discuss that. It’s really good to open up that conversation.”
How to start a conversation with your child
For parents who are unsure how to approach their child about whether or not they feel anxious, Newman says to keep it simple.
School Education Student (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“Just have a simple conversation where you ask them, ‘What do you think about going back to school? We’re going back next Tuesday, what are you thinking about?’” Newman says. “That way it’s more that they can tell you if they’re excited, they can tell you if they’re worried. They get to tell you how they feel instead of you saying: ‘Are you worried?’”
Is routine necessary?
Humans, regardless of age, lifestyle, or background, thrive on routine and benefit from having an established schedule.
According to the Blue Sprig website, routines are key to helping us thrive because routine comes naturally, provides stress relief and brings order to an otherwise chaotic world.
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Routines are particularly helpful for children with autism due to the repetitive patterns of behavior, activities, and hobbies. The adherence to an established routine can be a powerful tool in bringing stability and comfort to any child’s life.
Foster a genuine sense of ownership over their day
Create an environment of security and comfort
Removing any routine in a child’s life can be stressful. Newman says the most important thing is to talk about all changes in routine with kids, emphasizing what they can expect during that season of change.
#WOODYWALKS in Murg, Switzerland (Courtesy, Ellis)
One man, 2 feet, 2+ years, 2,000+ miles – and a cause.
Woody Ellis begins his trek across the United States with the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Sept. 2 in an effort to combat stigma surrounding mental illness.
With a family history of dementia and schizophrenia, losing family and close friends to suicide and struggling against depression himself, Ellis often feels overwhelmed by the prevalence of mental illness.
“I’m seeing a lot of these types of things,” said Ellis. “The older you get, the more stuff you see, and more stuff happens to your loved ones. It’s starting to be a lot.”
And when Ellis feels overwhelmed, he travels.
“It takes my mind off things,” said Ellis. “I just need a reset.”
Though that “reset” is an act of mental self-preservation, Ellis battles guilt when he travels and leaves loved ones behind. That feeling of selfishness prompted Ellis to found #WOODYWALKS.
“How can I explore but also help some of the causes that are affecting so many people I know?” said Ellis. “I figured a way to do both things was to do something extreme that would draw attention and raise money for some really good organizations related to these causes.”
#WOODYWALKS was born.
Ellis is expecting the #WOODYWALKS journey to take anywhere from 2 to 3 years. Though he plans to hike an average of 10-15 miles per day, they may not be consecutive miles.
“A big part of it for me is enjoying the experiences I have along the way,” said Ellis. “So I’m going to be open to saying ‘yes’ to things along the way because part of it is interacting with strangers and spreading joy, smiles, laughter, hugs and all that kind of stuff.
“I also may stray away from the trail at times, and then pick back up where I leave off.”
#WOODYWALKS in Guatape, Columbia (Courtesy, Ellis)
Daring to be different
Forty-three-year-old Ellis has never been one to follow the beaten path.
“I’ve always been a unique individual. I really fly by the seat of my pants,” said Ellis, adding that he was not made for the 9 to 5 way of life.
“As soon as they started telling me that’s the only way to do it, I started exploring other ways. That was my initial inspiration to be different.”
In 2016, Ellis took a 60-hour train ride from Chicago to Vancouver, where he lived on a floating wharf on an uninhabited island. He has been solo traveling around the world ever since.
The upcoming #WOODYWALKS adventure will, in large part, also be traveled solo.
“It’s never been a problem to be by myself…that’s the type of person I am,” said Ellis.
#WOODYWALKS in Toubkal (Courtesy, Ellis)
Where’s Woody?
Ellis decided to begin his cross-country adventure with the annual Bridge Walk.
“I looked at the date and it fit my timing,” said Ellis. “Because I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life, I felt like that was a really good way to send me off.”
Ellis will then travel west through the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin. From there, he will head south, then west again to take advantage of better weather.
#WOODYWALKS in Zambujeira, Portugal (Courtesy, Ellis)
Walking trailers and…a hammock?
“For the most part I’m going to be hammock camping and exchanging services, or cooking dinner, for strangers if they can provide a couple of trees for me to hang my hammock.”
Not only will Ellis be toting a hammock, he will also be hauling a variety of hiking supplies.
Those supplies include a sleeping bag, camping pillow, Jetboil cooking system, one pot, utensils, a headlamp, an extra blanket, clothes, a water filter, a water pouch, hiking boots and camera equipment.
Ellis realized carrying that much weight on his back would not allow him to travel far and began searching for solutions.
Specializing in walking trailers, HipStar designed a hands-free trailer with a belt that fastens around the traveler’s waist.
“It takes all the weight off your back and puts it on your lower half,” said Ellis. “This trailer is definitely a game changer.”
#WOODYWALKS in Hawaii (Courtesy, Ellis)
Smile for the camera!
Throughout his journey, Ellis plans to capture the experience with his iPhone camera and share pictures and short videos.
“I’ll be doing diary videos where I’m talking about my experiences,” said Ellis.
He plans to include footage of setting up camp, making dinner (“I always have to get creative with meals”), getting water from a river with a water filter, interactions with people, campfire interviews related to mental health…and, of course, walking.
“Pretty much a little bit of everything so people can vicariously come along,” said Ellis.
#WOODYWALKS footage will be posted to Ellis’ social media channels and in the #WOODYWALKS newsletter. Social media and newsletter links can be found on the #WOODYWALKS website home page.
#WOODYWALKS in Dubruvnik (Courtesy, Ellis)
Join Woody’s adventure!
#WOODYWALKS is a community endeavor, with several options for people to support mental health charities and interact with Ellis on his journey.
“There are multiple ways on my website to support,” said Ellis. “I have charities picked out and have pages for each charity. They can donate directly to the charity.”
There is also an option to donate directly to the #WOODYWALKS project to help alleviate trip expenses.
“I’m not going to be working any of my current jobs; this is going to be my full-time job. I’m going to be editing movies and content, which is work on its own.”
People can support the charity of their choice by signing up to walk with Ellis. “If people join me, whether it be for a week or a month at a time, I will focus entirely on the charity of their choice during the time they’re with me.”
#WOODYWALKS in the village of Mousehole in Cornwall, England (Courtesy, Ellis)
“If people are aware that I’m coming ahead of time, they can tell me where they are along my route and I can stop for a night or two,” said Ellis.
Brand sponsorships are available for businesses, and #WOODYWALKS t-shirts are available for purchase as well, with proceeds supporting the #WOODYWALKS mission.
Ellis will be wearing #WOODYWALKS t-shirts throughout the journey to ignite curiosity and interest.
“I want [people] to ask me what I’m doing and strike up conversations.”
Where will Woody walk next?
Though Ellis has no concrete plans after completing #WOODYWALKS, he will continue to travel – and give back.
“I would like to do other projects similar to this where it involves giving back, and also related to things that I’m passionate about,” said Ellis. “It’ll definitely involve traveling and doing something good for communities.”
World traveler Woody Ellis talks about his upcoming 2,000+ mile hike across the United States with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed
Many parents are already considering what they need to do to prepare their children for the new school year. While what they will wear and do after school is essential, ensuring they know what to do about back-to-school bullies should be at the top of every parent’s priority list.
Bullies will head back to school as well, and they will be ready to start picking on kids from day one.
“Summer is a great time to get kids ready for the new school year, including with how to win against bullies,” says Kirk Smalley, co-founder of Stand for the Silent. “Addressing it now will ensure the school year will be smooth and bully-free.”
It is important to raise awareness now
Help reduce bullying incidents by raising awareness now (Courtesy photo)
Smalley and his wife, Laura, started Stand for the Silent following their 11-year-old son ending his own life due to bullying. They turned their pain and loss into a mission of helping others.
Smalley travels the country giving presentations at schools about bullying, providing bullying prevention, giving out scholarships, offering intervention strategies and more.
Over the summer, parents can do a lot to raise awareness about bullying in their home and community. Making it a priority may help reduce the incidents of bullying in school and in the community. Proactive communities can make people more aware of the issue, which can help reduce incidents.
According to the National Institutes of Health, a few risk factors may make people more vulnerable to being bullied. These include a kid being seen as different from their peers, being seen as weak or unable to defend themselves, having low self-esteem, being less popular, not socializing well with others, and suffering from disabilities.
Tips for preparing kids now for back-to-school bullies:
Discuss bullying now. Discuss bullying, including what it is and what to do about it. Talk about the different types of bullying, how to address it, and what to do if they see someone else being bullied.
Role-play. Act out some bullying scenes with the kids so they can practice responding to them. This will help put them more at ease if the real situation ever comes up.
Get others involved. Parents can start anti-bullying groups now, which will get more kids involved in helping to keep bullying out of the school. Kids can get together to discuss the issue and ways to respond.
Contact the school. Most schools have staff working over the summer. Contact the child’s school to inquire about having an anti-bullying campaign kick off when school starts. Help them bring in a speaker, such as Stand for the Silent, and get together a group of kids for the anti-bullying task force.
Teach self-defense. It’s never a good idea to encourage your child to fight, but there are some self-defense moves that they can learn to protect themselves should it get physical. Bullies tend to pick on those they feel won’t stand up for themselves. Teach kids self-defense over the summer, such as enrolling them in karate. When kids are confident, they are more likely to stand up to a bully, and then the bully loses interest in that person.
Launching Student Stand Out
“This school year, we are going to be rewarding students who help with anti-bullying at their school,” added Smalley. “We want to encourage students to set the example and help create a kinder, more accepting school atmosphere.”
Students will be rewarded for their kindness and efforts to end bullying (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Stand for the Silent is launching a program called Student Stand Out. Teachers can nominate students who they feel stand out by being kind, addressing bullying, being a positive role model, having good leadership, having respect and integrity, and demonstrating actions that show initiative to end bullying at the school.
Each week through the school year, one nominee will be chosen to receive a $50 Visa gift card. At the end of each semester, one person will be selected to win a $100 gift card. The nomination period runs from Aug. 1 to Dec. 1 and Jan. 1 to April 1.
For more information about the program, click here.
How you can help prevent bullying
Stand for the Silent travels the country, providing seminars and talks for communities and schools. They also offer materials online to help people with bullying issues. Each year, they give scholarships to students who help address bullying at their schools.
The Stomp Out Stigma Walk is a free 3-mile group walk hosted by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be nice. program. Participants have the option to raise money via sponsorships and donations. All proceeds benefit be nice. education programs.
Exchanging stigma for compassion
Stomp Out Stigma 2024 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The be nice. action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) educates students about mental illnesses and encourages them to exchange stereotypes for understanding, compassion and acceptance.
The Stomp Out Stigma annual walk was created to help further eradicate stigma surrounding mental illness, provide support for those struggling with mental illness, and honor the memories of those lost to mental illness.
Beginning at the Grand Valley State University Seward parking lot, participants walked along the Grand River Boardwalk. Encouraging messages were posted and written in chalk along the route. A picture memorial allowed participants to pause and honor the memories of loved ones lost to suicide.
A walk that can change lives
The 2024 Stomp Out Stigma Walk raised over $60,000 to benefit the various be nice. programs providing resources that are changing lives on a national level.
Participants in Stomp Out Stigma are helping create psychologically safe spaces in schools, at work and on teams; empower individuals of all ages to seek help; empower individuals with tools for resilience; and change, improve and save lives.
For more information on be nice. programs and upcoming events, click here.
Wylea Griggs, founder and owner of Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center in Wyoming. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
There’s no doubt COVID-19 impacted the mental health of many people in the United States. New Wyoming business owner Wylea Griggs said mental health declined throughout the country, and so did hers.
“I started experiencing severe anxiety with panic attacks, and I took a leave of absence from work to focus on my mental health,” said Griggs, owner and founder of Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center, located at 1095 Gezon Pkwy. SW, Wyoming. “I couldn’t take medication due to adverse effects. This is when my mentor introduced me to frequency therapy.
“I immediately bought the technology and started using it daily on myself and then my family.”
Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center was born
“When I was able to stop my panic attacks and manage my anxiety, I knew I needed to help others as I helped myself,” explained Griggs, who opened her new business on Sept. 22, 2023. “That’s when I resigned from my job, opened my practice and joined an amazing group practice as a contractor.”
Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center located at 1095 Gezon Pkwy. SW, Wyoming. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
Helping people through her experience with anxiety and panic attacks
“I started helping women who experienced what I was going through,” Griggs continued. “From there, I decided to open my mental health wellness center and bring cutting edge innovative technology to help women overcome their mental health struggles holistically using frequency therapy.
“I have expanded to not only helping women, but women and families. I also help employers with women’s wellness by offering corporate mental wellness to employers.”
Backing up a bit
After beginning her college studies to become a criminal lawyer, a psychology class changed Wylea Grigg’s path in life.
“Then I had two loves, law and psychology,” said Griggs, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and master’s degree in professional counseling from Lindenwood University. “So, I started taking more classes in psychology. I found out I absolutely love researching; I love learning about the brain and body.
“I got my masters degree in counseling because I wanted to help. I love talking to people and helping them.”
After college, Griggs worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor through the state of Michigan, working with students and adults with disabilities to help them find and keep a job.
“I had the opportunity to help them attend college … and offer career counseling,” she explained.
Quantum
Griggs said her Center offers a nurturing space where women and their families can access comprehensive care that combines traditional counseling with cutting-edge innovative technologies like the Theta Chamber, AO Scan and rTMS.
“We’re helping women and families get to the root cause of their mental health struggles.”
Holistic approach
“A lot of individuals are looking for holistic ways to mental health wellness,” Griggs said. “Our goals revolve around providing a comprehensive and holistic approach and empowering women and families to achieve mental well-being.”
Treating with innovative tech
Griggs said her Center addresses a wide range of mental health and neurological challenges using innovative technology. Some of the health challenges include, depression, ADHD, anger, fear, autism, alcohol addiction, stress, panic attacks, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, insomnia and brain fog.
Theta Chamber
“One of our cutting-edge, innovative technologies we offer is the Theta Chamber, a revolutionary tool designed to promote deep relaxation, stress reduction and emotional well-being,” Griggs explained. “The Theta Chamber utilizes advanced audio and visual stimulation techniques to guide individuals into a state of deep relaxation and heightened awareness known as the theta brainwave state. This state is associated with profound relaxation, creativity and enhanced cognitive processing for your subconscious mind.”
Theta Chamber at the Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
rTMS
“Known as Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, rTMS is a groundbreaking non-invasive procedure that has shown remarkable results in treating a range of mental health conditions.”
Griggs said rTMS is used to treat issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain.
rTMS device at Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center. (WKTV/Cris Greer)
AO Scan
According to her website, an AO Scan is an “advanced biofeedback system that utilizes electromagnetic frequency technology to assess the body’s energetic imbalances and provide insights into your overall health and well-being. It operates on the principle that every cell in our body emits a unique electromagnetic frequency, and by analyzing these frequencies, AO Scan can detect subtle imbalances and potential areas of concern.”
For more information on the Quantum Mental Health Wellness Center, click here.
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.
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.”
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.
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)
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.
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 Narrativeresources 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.
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.
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.”
“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.
Suicide survivor and mental health advocate Ross Szabo gives heartfelt address to a local audience of hundreds on Feb. 23 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
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.
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 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.
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.”
“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.
“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.”
“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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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:
Listening to your body
Self-care
Mindfulness
Exercise
Sleep
Laughter
Self-talk
Connections
Deep breathing
Seeking help
Other available resources
WCS currently does not have a waitlist for their services. Their intake line is 616-942-7294.
“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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
– 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 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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Principals and nurses are reporting that students are talking about more anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and stressful situations at home. (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 –
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.
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:
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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, TheLife 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.
