1. Sharing
2. Request and Input
3. Volunteer Opportunities
4. Anti-Stigma
5. Leadership

Here is the 2012 Action Group Meeting Schedule.

At each meeting, I see more and more people grow to be better advocates for themselves and others in the groups. One person will mention an idea they have and it turns into a wonderful unknown path to new territory where others have the opportunity to help explore also.

We now have an official start to an Action Group member list which helps keep everyone connected across our six counties. The groups continue to expand and get excited about ideas they have through sharing, giving input and volunteering as mentioned in the charge.

At this month’s meeting, Nicole Ellens (NLCMH Crawford/Roscommon Suicide Prevention Coordinator) attended, to bring information about the suicide prevention coalitions in our six counties and also share some opportunities for community action. Nicole will be sharing more information with us shortly so that we have a contact list of where coalition meetings are held so we can have a representative from our action group meetings attend to bring back volunteer opportunities.

All consumers and staff are welcomed and encouraged to attend these Action Group meetings as they have found to be very beneficial in helping others figure out how they may best get involved. Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Cadillac, Grayling, and Traverse City offices (connected through videoconference). Hope to see you soon!

1. Advocated for my daughter’s learning disability at her school until her  curriculum was adjusted to meet her needs.
2. Got my youngest child (my three-year-old son) into a pre-primary intermediate school so he can start learning now versus later on how planned school days go and to help strengthen his language and vocabulary skills.
3. Spent more time with my father and mother than I have since I was a child.
4. Went back to college after an almost eight-year break.
5. Started reading at least one book a week if not more (that is non-college related and just something that sparks my interest).
6. Slowed down dramatically on smoking.
7. Updated my Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and gave a new copy to my main supporters.
8. Emceed the Walk-A-Mile In my Shoes Rally at the state Capitol in Lansing, which was a huge honor to be asked and chosen.
9. Paid it forward and tried to help others who had helped me throughout the year, even with a kind hug or a warm smile.
10. Started giving my children a hug and a kiss every night before they went to bed and telling them I loved them – always making time to know that they are cared about and how proud I am to be their mom.

After I created this list (which is a lot longer than just these 10 things), I went back through it numerous times and in all actuality I kind of shocked myself at the many things I had accomplished in 365 days. It does not matter if you have only accomplished one thing in the past year, make sure to write it down and put it in the bathroom on the mirror where you can read it everyday and know you have done something to better your life or the lives of those around you. Be an advocate for yourself as well as others and remember to incorporate this as a daily celebration in your life. You are worth a lot and as an advocate even more!

So what is a New Year’s Resolution?

I don’t think there is a definite answer to that question. There’s always going to be the regular resolutions to lose a certain amount of weight, stop smoking, eat healthier, and start exercising. But what if we make those resolutions and have a hard time following through with them? Should we feel like we have failed? Absolutely not! Take it from a not-so-perfect person that no one succeeds at things the first time they try. If they do, I stand corrected, but it is one hard task to follow; sticking to a resolution.

What if our goal is to lose 50 pounds by Christmas 2012? How can we make that a resolution and then get to that goal without forgetting we set it or not bothering to follow through with it in the first place? Small steps lead to bigger ones. Beginning by writing down a list of how you can lose 50 pounds is a simple effective way to start on that specific resolution. Using that list, make a monthly list of healthy meals you can make that are cost effective, use and stick to a shopping list, and figure out how to exercise for free at home instead of joining an expensive health club (soup cans work well to lift weight up and down). Check out this web-site for setting a budget, checking the sales, planning the menus, making a list, being a savvy shopper, etc. at http://www.chiff.com/cooking/budget-meals.htm

My main point is that anything is achievable if you want it to be. The New Year means a new start. However you want to start that year, try to keep the focus on what you want the ending goal to be for Christmas in 2012. Follow through slowly with your plan so that it is both easier to achieve as well as achievable at the same time. Do not set yourself up for failure and remember that changes come with time. You can do it. . . make a New Year’s Resolution and let us know about it here so we can brag about your successes. If you feel like you need help, put a comment up and get some peer support from people out there that might be struggling with the same things. Either way, do not give up and good luck!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

COOL FACT:

In the United States, the kiss shared at the stroke of midnight is derived from masked balls that have been common throughout history. As tradition has it, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the purification into the New Year (http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-New-Years-Resolutions&id=245213)

Healthy meals on a food stamp budget:

http://the-f-word.org/blog/index.php/2008/08/22/reader-challenge-healthy-meals-on-a-food-stamp-budget/

USDA Resource Library (meal planning, 10 steps to help you fill your grocery bag using SNAP benefits

http://snap.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=15&tax_level=4&tax_subject=261&topic_id=1243&level3_id=6213&level4_id=10046

101+ ways to save food dollars

http://snap.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=15&tax_level=4&tax_subject=261&topic_id=1243&level3_id=6213&level4_id=10046

The new working definition of recovery from mental and substance use disorders is as follows:

A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Through the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative, SAMHSA has also described four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

1. Health: Overcoming or managing one’s disease(s), as well as living in a physically and emotionally healthy way
2. Home: A stable and safe place to live
3. Purpose: Meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteering, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and the independence, income, and resources to participate in society
4. Community: Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope

1. Sharing
2. Making suggestions and giving input
3. Volunteer opportunities
4. Stigma
5. Leadership

You can read about the discussion leading us here in our December 2011 Action Group Minutes.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 11, 2012 in Cadillac, Grayling and Traverse City. Looking ahead, here is our 2012 Action Group Meeting Schedule. It can be energizing to spend time with other people who are getting involved! If the 5 items above interest you, please join us!

1. Sharing – The Action Group is a great place to share what the local network groups are working on so we can share resources, expertise, ideas. We want to make sure we always allow time for us to share what is going on in each of the offices.
2. Requests and Input – The Action Group is also a great place to present ideas about what people want to see developed at Northern Lakes CMH, such as support groups, information for the lobby flat screen monitors, topics for future mini-conferences, etc. It’s also a great place for Northern Lakes CMH to get input on recovery transformation projects to make sure we are on track with what consumers want to see happen.
3. Volunteer opportunities – The Action Group is also a great place to communicate about the help that is needed for upcoming projects and events, so people can get involved in areas of interest. The Action Group can be a “clearinghouse” for ways to get involved!

As Certified Peer Support Specialist Ernie Reynolds always says, consumers can do a lot if just asked! Here’s a list of items we brainstormed about things consumers can help with – and the Action Group can be the place to get connected:

Participation on standing/official NLCMH committees • Speaker Bureau (at community presentations, movie nights, etc.) • Photobiography coaches • Photobiography point people (to rotate displays in each office) • Conference/Celebration pre-planning • Day of Event assistance  (meet/greet/registration check in, etc.) • Lobby Flat Screen Monitors (advisors and new content ideas) • Movie reviewers • Consumer Navigators • Communicators • Mystery Shoppers • Building volunteers database • Advocacy (calls, letters and emails sharing consumer perspective with policymakers) • Stigma Busters (to keep an eye out nationally and locally on behalf of the group) • Writers • Poets • Artists • Knitters • Help making a volunteer training manual • Participation on community committees • Fundraising • Grant writing

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, December 13, 2011 from 10:00 to noon by videoconference in Traverse City, Houghton Lake, and Cadillac. Consumers and staff welcome!

This year, there is an earlier annual enrollment period for people with Medicare to review Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan options and choose the plan that best meets their needs. It started October 15 and runs through  December 7, 2011 this year.

People can use the Plan Finder at www.Medicare.gov by entering their zip code to determine which Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans are available. Also available online is Medicare’s Formulary Finder, which allows beneficiaries to enter their prescribed medication and zip code for a display of locally offered plans covering their drugs.

Also beginning this year, the Plan Finder will display a gold star designating top rated five-star plans. Users will continue to see warnings for plans that are consistently poor performers.

Jonathan Blum, CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare, said “We encourage all Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in private plans to know their plan’s overall star rating and to consider enrolling in plans with high ratings.” When comparing plans, beneficiaries should review the plan’s quality in addition to costs, coverage, and other benefits.

Listening to Music
“I try to find time in the morning to listen to music. It calms me for the day. It puts a routine in place, and helps me get started. I have no favorite song; it’s just what I’m in the mood for that day.”

Why Should I Feel Sorry for Myself?
“I was in a DBSA meeting and people were talking about how it wasn’t your fault you had this disease; you shouldn’t be guilty, etc. It occurred to me: being bipolar is the best thing that’s happened to me. Sure it’s been extremely difficult at times, but I have an interesting life story and I was forced to really re-examine my life because of it. Now I only do what I love and think is important.”

15 Minutes
“Tell yourself: I can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes. If anxiety hits me at the office and I don’t know how to cope with a mountain of work—just pick one task and do it for 15 minutes. If the house is a wreck, pick one area and clean for 15 minutes. THEN STOP. Step back. Look at what you did. It may not be finished, but you did something! Be proud! You just kicked anxiety’s butt for 15 minutes. Can you do another 15 minutes? Maybe? If not, it’s okay. Be proud that you made progress!”

A Note About FacingUs.org:
When you visit the Facing Us Clubhouse, you’ll notice that several “rooms” require you to log in or create an account. These rooms allow you to develop personal journals, books, and wellness plans that are uniquely yours. Logging in is a way to access your personalized wellness tools—like pulling your file from a filing cabinet.

To use the Wellness Tracker, visit the Facing Us Clubhouse. Joining is easy and free.

DBSA e-Update is a monthly newsletter produced by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance that highlights news articles, upcoming programs, services, and ways you can become involved. Click here to join DBSA’s mailing list.

While I was waiting to pay I noticed a poster on the wall and it listed the signs and symptoms of depression. I was amazed that I had almost all of the the symptoms listed. I made an appointment for myself as I completed my other business for my son.
I wasn’t educated enough about depression and didn’t remember enough about it from my psychology class. Could you be depressed and not realize it? Here is a link to an online screening http://www.helpyourselfhelpothers.org/, maybe it can help you or a friend or family member. Maybe it is time to talk to your doctor, it doesn’t hurt to check it out. Depression is treatable, be good to yourself, if you need help or think you do, then get it. People are there who care and want to help.

Leslie Sladek

Two days later, on Sept 22, we will be taping an informational show on autism at UpNorth Media with United Way of Northwest Michigan. This show will feature several service providers and people with lived experience and will show in October.

On that same day, Sept 22, we will host a training for providers on Training Ethics, Boundaries & Pain Relief in Health Care in our Cadillac office.

At the end of the week, on Saturday, Sept 24, we are participating with the Crawford Roscommon Suicide Prevention Coalition’s 2nd annual “Alive and Running: 5K for Suicide Prevention“. This is an awareness and fund-raising event for the Crawford Roscommon Suicide Prevention Coalition for both runners and walkers.

On Thursday, Sept 29, we are teaming up with the Cadillac Wexford Public Library (411 South Lake St., Cadillac) to provide a free movie and panel discussion on depression and its impact on families. The library’s movie licensing restrictions do not allow promotion of the name of the movie or the studio outside the library, but we can tell you that this is a major movie recently released on DVD starring Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson. The movie concerns a man living with depression and its impact on his family. He begins communicating using a toy beaver hand puppet. The movie is rated PG-13. There will be some light refreshments at the library beginning at 5:30 PM. The movie will run from 6:00-7:30 and the panel discussion will happen after the movie, from about 7:30-8:00.