August 2014 Peers Linking Peers Recovery Innovations This and previous issues can be found on the Network of Care Web-site Volume 6, Issue 8, August 2014 http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/mh/content.aspx?id=1052 ImpactMORE By Michelle Gregoire, BA At the Peer Liaison County-Wide Speak-Out, Dan Ainsworth and Katie Wood from ImpactMORE spoke about their program. Mental health challenges are sometimes discovered later in life, after one has aged out of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) programs which usually serve persons up to age 25. Camaraderie with one's peers, however, is still greatly beneficial. Created to serve this need, Impact Young Adults (IYA) is a social group for individuals age 18-35 who experience mental health challenges. They meet weekly—usually Saturday—to have fun, build meaningful relationships and even learn some leadership skills! Activities run the gamut from monster-truck rallies, operas, trips to local parks and beaches, and more! Gatherings occur throughout the county and are usually free, though occasionally they have minimal cost. As opposed to ―Members Only Events,‖ ―Community Events‖ are open to potential IYA members, as well as members‘ friends and family. Individuals must attend two Community Events and sign the Members Agreement form before becoming a member. To learn of events visit: www.impactyoungadults.org or https://www.facebook.com/impactyoungadults. Inside this issue: ImpactMORE 1 Dept of Rehab 2 Laughter Yoga 2 Music for Recovery 3 County Wide 3 Upcoming Events 4 UPAC‘s New Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program for Gambling Concerns: UPAC– No-cost counseling for adults (Age 18 +) is now available. Open House: Friday, August 22, 2014, 5:00-7:00 PM. 3288 El Cajon Blvd Suite 13 San Diego, CA 92104 Phone 619-521-5720, x 313 or email: [email protected] Funding provided through the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health Services Department of Vocational Rehabilitation By Jeff Najarian, CMT The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) offers opportunities for people with disabilities to return to meaningful work. There are many ways that the Department of Rehabilitation can support people on their journey back to work. Many people who are disabled and receive Social Security benefits believe that if they return to work they will lose their benefits. In July 2000 President Bill Clinton, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, increased the earning limits for people receiving benefits who wished to return to work. The previous limit allowed people to earn only $500 per month. His act increased the amount to $700 per month and made allowances for yearly increases in step with the rising costs of living. In 2014 people receiving Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) can earn up to $1070 per month and still receive their benefit check. The Department of Rehabilitation can help people identify employment goals, and they support those goals by providing assistance for bus passes while looking for employment, helping with school necessary for employment goals and helping with understanding the impact of returning to work while receiving disability benefits, as well as many other supportive services. For more information go to http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/index.asp or call the main office in San Diego at (619) 767-2100. They are located at 7575 Metropolitan Drive, Suite 107 San Diego, CA 92108. Laughter Yoga By Jamin Peck It‘s been said before that ―laughter is the best medicine.‖ And we all intuitively know that we naturally feel better after a good laugh. Researchers have also documented many of the benefits which laughter brings about, from physical, emotional, mental and social, laughter makes us feel better. Laughter has been shown to increase oxygen, clearing out the 2/3 of our lungs which hold stale air. This increases the flow of oxygen to all the cells in our body and our brains. When you‘re laughing you are physically strengthening your immune system and naturally reducing any pain you might have had previously. Laughter improves the cardiovascular system and respiratory systems. Also, laughter equalizes your blood pressure this is done by increasing low blood pressure and lowering high blood pressure. Laughter aids with digestion and much more. Laughter is said to be one of the quickest antidotes to stress, worry and negative emotions like depression and anger. And because neurons that fire together wire together the more you laugh (and especially for no reason), the more naturally and easier it will be to trigger these patterned responses, these states which laughter brings on, in your automatic behaviors. It is virtually impossible to have negative thoughts or emotions when we are laughing. Laughter Yoga is FREE and you can experience the benefits of it by finding the classes that work best for your schedule http://www.laughtermatters.org/free-community-laughter-classes/san-diego-county/ Page 2 Peers Linking Peers Music for Recovery By Sandy Opsal, BA Music has been found to promote relaxation and alleviate stress. Listening to music can have a very relaxing effect on our minds and bodies. It can have a beneficial physical effect on us. It can slow the heart rate which can decrease the stress hormones. It may absorb our attention and can act as a soothing, calming distraction. You don‘t have to listen to classical music! We all have different tastes in music. Listen to music that feels comfortable. Some people find that listening to birds singing or the sound of the of ocean waves meeting the shore calms and relaxes them. Celtic music with its pan flutes and Native American music with the rhythm of its drums are also found to be soothing. Remember the goal is to find soothing and relaxing sounds. Studies have shown that music brings out feelings of order and security . It can promote communication and so can improve the quality of life. Chronic pain and postoperative pain have both been reduced by music. Listening to music can relieve depression and increase self-esteem, especially in Older Adults. Music therapy significantly reduces emotional distress and boosts the quality of life among adults. Combining music with exercise—use your headphones—can be very beneficial. So the next time you are feeling stressed, nervous or down try some music that works for you and enjoy the relaxation it can provide. For more information on Music Therapy: http://.holistic-online.com/stress/stress_music-therapy.htm http://psychcentral.com/lib/the power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/000930 WRAP By Susan Gates I recently found myself using my WRAP Plan like I never before imagined. This little simple plan that I personally designed for myself has helped me more than words can say. It‘s the simplicity that works for me like nothing else has worked before. When life launches deep challenges at me I have relied on this simple and personal WRAP plan to get me through some pretty challenging situations. It has kept me from relapsing into my old habits to cope with life‘s challenges before I learned about and developed my WRAP plan. I have the opportunity to help others choose recovery and model how recovery is for me. I share how my life is the best it has ever been right now as a result of using my WRAP everyday no matter what happens. August County-Wide Video presentation: ‗Pleasure Unwoven,‘ A Neuroscientific Look at Addiction and the Brain Facilitated by Kevin McCauley Volume 6, Issue 8, August 2014 Page 3 Recovery Innovations Peer Liaison Team Contact Information Editor, Team Lead, Mary Benson 3565 Del Rey Street, Suite 202 San Diego, CA 92109 Direct line: 858-766-7106 Office: 858-274-4650 Fax: 858-274-4662 Mary Benson, Peer Liaison Team Lead [email protected] Peer Liaisons assist people to advocate for their needs and rights. We act as a two-way conduit to gather and disseminate information between the San Diego County Behavioral Health Services Administrators and people receiving services and their families. We provide hope, encouragement, and connection to the community through countywide forums, focus groups, county meeting attendance, resources and our monthly newsletter. [email protected] N. Coastal & Inland, Jeffrey Najarian, CMT [email protected] N. Coastal & Rural, Susan Gates [email protected] South Bay, Mercedes Webber [email protected] East County, Laura Wiseman [email protected] East County, Michelle Gregoire, BA [email protected] N. Central, Sandy Opsal, BA [email protected] Central, Maureen Swan, BA [email protected] Central, Jamin Peck [email protected] Central, Jean Fisher, MS [email protected] Central, Denita Harris, AA [email protected] Greater San Diego Le’Andra Hamilton Recovery Innovations Events WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) is held at our main office— 3565 Del Rey St. Suite 202 Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9-11 AM WELL class is held every Monday and Friday 1:30-3:30 PM—3565 Del Rey St. Suite 202 Medication for Success or Creating Healthy Habits is held Thursdays 1:30-3:30pm in our office. August 18 Peer Liaison Community Action Committee (CAC) 1:30-3:30 PM 330 Park Blvd Downtown Public Library August 25 Peer Liaison CAC North Inland Escondido Clubhouse 9:45-11:45AM 474 West Vermont Ave. Escondido, 92025 August 26 Peer Liaison CAC North Coastal, 10 AM—12 PM, Mariposa Clubhouse, 560 Greenbrier Ste C, 92054 August 27 Peer Liaison CAC East County, 11:00-12:30, East County Mental Health 1000 Broadway, 92021 August 27 Peer Liaison CAC South Bay, 10:30am Visions Clubhouse, 226 Church St, 91910 [email protected] Upcoming Community Events August 6 BPSR Kinesis North Community Resource Fair at Escondido Library 11AM to 3 PM, 239 S. Kalmia St. Escondido, 92025 August 7 Mental Health Board, 4-6 PM 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego. August 7 NAMI Education and Advocacy Meeting 6:30-8:00 PM, University Christian Church 3900 Cleveland Avenue 92103 Call today Medi-Cal members who want to stop smoking call, 1-800-No-Butts and ask about the $20.00 gift card. August 16 Last day to submit comment on the 5 year strategic employment plan. Call Mary Benson for more information. 858-766-7601 August 29-31 Pow-Wow Contest Dancing in all categories! Free Admission and Camping All Drums and Dancers Welcome. Barona Sports Park, Barona Indian Reservation Lakeside, CA
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