August, 2019

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Adults in Mental Health Recovery Your Future can be Bright! The Bright Futures program is back in Chester County! The free eight-week classes teaches basic computer skills, and ways to enhance your job search and interviewing techniques. Classes begin September 16 and are held Mondays and Wednesdays from from 10:00 until 12:30 through November 6 in Exton. Click here for class flier or contact Julie Gentile, Chester County's Recovery Systems Coordinato r at 610-344-4703.

Important Dates from Chester County's Suicide Prevention Task Force Join us to watch the acclaimed 1-hour documentary, Resilience: The Biology of Stress & Science of Hope at the quarterly meeting August 14, 3:00 - 5:00 PM at West Chester University, Sykes Student Union theater. Click for flier . SAVE THE DATE!! Thursday, October 3, 6:00 - 8:00 PM for Support Hope an event sponsored by the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force at the Downingtown Area Country Club

Rock for Recovery , featuring the Mark Evans Band, is a fundraiser for the overdose survivor warm hand-off in Chester County. Click here for more information.

Complementary Health Approaches for Holistic Health Third in a series of Holistic Health Many Americans use health care approaches beyond traditional Western practices for both physical and mental health. The terms "complementary," "alternative" and "integrated" health are use often to describe some practices, but they have different meanings. The National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health offers these definitions: Complementary is a non-traditional practice used together with conventional medicine. Alternative is a non-traditional practice used in place of conventional medicine. Integrated healthcare often brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. It emphasizes a holistic, patient-focused approach to health care and wellness and often includes mental, emotional, functional, spiritual and social aspects to treat the whole person. Deep breathing, yoga, meditation and guided imagery are among the most popular complementary approaches. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has information about these and natural products at the NAMI website.

Chester County's Regional Education Services (CCRES) Supports Mental Health First Aid Chester County's Department of Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Services received $28,000 in grant funding from CCRES to support the county's Youth Mental Health First Aid program. Youth Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour public education program that introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. Find out more about this program at this link .

Philadelphia Art Show Benefits the National Alliance on Mental Illness The Tattooed Mom, located at 530 South Street in Philadelphia is hosting a group art show and raffle on Friday, August 23 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

If you are interested in County of Chester Job Opportunities, please check our our current openings at the link below:  https://chesco.org/231/Job-Opportunities

More Resources, Events & Classes

There are several other county departments that send out community newsletters and announcements just like this one. If you're interested, sign up with this link! Chester County's Department of Human Services is once again offering free training in topics ranging from trauma and motivational interviewing, to ethics and recovery. To receive information about upcoming classes, individuals must sign up for announcements. Information at the website. Pop Up Farmer's Market days for Chester County Head Start and Early Head Start families to access  free  fresh veggies and fruit, as well as other demonstrations and information. Next event is August 8. Chester County's Meetings and support groups . Please contact us if you have changes or additions. Charting a Lifecourse - What's your vision of a good life? Learn about the Lifecourse tools, offered at no cost. Chester County Refer web - a user-friendly database for social services.

Chester County Department of Mental Health / Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 601 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA www.chesco.org/mhidd  Chester County Commissioners Administrator: Linda Cox Deputy Administrator: Candy Craig