To Our Good Mental Health
December 2022/Issue XXXIX
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During this holiday season, we wish you the very best of health. Sometimes, this comes with a moral dilemma when you don't feel you're doing things well enough. In this commentary, published by several NH and VT news outlets, our medical director, Dr. Diane Roston, tells us about the state of healthcare from a clinician's perspective, reminding us that "doing the best we can" might just have to be enough. Nobody is immune to psychological challenges -- including our healthcare providers. This is a powerful personal story about the sustainability of the healthcare life preserver we rely upon every day.
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Sometimes, "doing the best you can" might mean reaching out to help yourself or someone you know.
A "crisis" doesn't have to rise to the level of a life-threatening event to call or text the NH Rapid Response hotline at 833-710-6477, or to chat online with a crisis clinician at NH988.com.
Sometimes, a relationship break-up, a job loss, a divorce, the death of a loved one, financial pressures, a car accident, a final exam, or simply not keeping up with work demands or holiday activities might trigger a moment when you need to talk with someone. That's why calling NH Rapid Response is here.
Our mobile crisis response clinicians can now visit you in-person, 24/7 when needed. We say, "call early, call often" to avoid escalation to a life-threatening situation. Or when you just need to hear another person's voice who cares.
We'll appreciate your call.
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Thank you! To everyone who supported our work on #GivingTuesday. We felt your outpouring of generosity and now wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your support keeps our sprits high! If you weren't able to give on November 29th, please consider making a gift to West Central during this season of giving.
We are grateful for each and every gift we receive. Our many generous donors understand the pressing need for the evidence-based, compassionate care we offer that helps our community members tap into their unrealized potential!
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A Helping Hand from the GroceryAisle!
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Youth CAN Coalition
Newport students with Youth CAN in collaboration with Sullivan County 4-H had a great trip to an indoor rock climbing gym on November 9th. We extend our thanks to Claremont Savings Bank for a grant to fund snacks for Youth CAN programs like this to offer substance-free alternatives to our youth throughout the year.
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Savings Bank Foundation for providing YouthCAN with grant funding to purchase refreshments for participants of activities and events. These hungry teens (pictured above) surely appreciate it!
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Join us for a fun late-afternoon stroll along Newport's Main Street for a CHILI-WALK chili cook-off with 15 chili stops. Our Youth CAN prevention coordinator, Scott Blewitt, will be there to serve up some wonderful chili for you!
Saturday, December 10
4 - 6 pm
Newport, NH
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Congratulations
Stephanie Bergeron!
Stephanie, who has been the producer of this newsletter and our Grants Manager since March 2021, has moved into a new position as Project Director for our recently-awarded federal SAMHSA grant to join the ranks of more than 450 CCBHC's nationwide. Becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic will enable us to offer more relevant services to our community, develop a more sustainable funding model, and ensure people of all ages and backgrounds are able to access our behavioral healthcare services regardless of their financial situation. In this new role, Stephanie will work across West Central with senior leadership and clinical & administrative staff to to ensure we remain on track toward success for this planning, development, and implementation grant.
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Join our Team!
Would you like to help others? Maybe save lives? There's no more gratifying work than in community behavioral health. We have positions for people from all walks of life, interests, and skills with flexible and remote/hybrid options for many positions.
Click Here to learn more about the positions available to you right now. Come serve our community with us!
West Central provides a generous benefits package including our own, newly-launched Student Loan Assistance Program (SLAP). Eligible employees can receive up to $10,000 over 3 years in loan assistance! West Central is also an approved STAR LRP facility for federal student loan repayment assistance up to $250,000. These two programs are separate from one another. Our staff can apply to one or both!
Visit our Careers page to find available positions and find your next professional step to make a world of difference.
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To learn more about our work, watch this 3-minute YouTube video of our staff talking about how they transform lives -- with more than 6,000 views and counting!
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Follow and Like us on Social Media |
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Center for Advancing Rural Health Equity
West Central was represented with staff and Board members at the inaugural gathering of the DH Center for Advancing Rural Health Equity on November 7, 2023 at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee, VT. We were so glad to be invited to participate in this important collaboration among dozens of local and regional social service organizations.
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Come learn about harm reduction, opioid overdose, how to use naloxone to save a life, and hear about common medication mixing dangers (including alcohol). Resources and FREE narcan will be available! This is an open event for anyone from any community.
Where: Kilton Pubic Library
80 Main St., W. Lebanon, NH
When: Thurs, December 15th
Time: 6 - 7 pm
(please use back entrance)
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Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge, or is in crisis. We have certified instructors who offer online trainings to the community via Zoom. Most trainings are free. If you are interested in hosting a training in your community or organization, please contact: Dave Celone.
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Don't forget, when you shop online. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to West Central. Visit smile.amazon.com and select West Central as your non-profit recipient!
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Do you like what we're doing in our community? We're a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit serving clients in the Upper Valley and Sullivan County, NH with offices in Lebanon, Claremont, and Newport. Each year, on average, we offer $600,000 in uncompensated services to clients who can't otherwise afford care. No gift is too small. Visit our Giving page or contact Dave Celone for gifts of stock or securities, real estate or other property, or to designate West Central as a beneficiary in your will or estate plans.
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Share This Newsletter...You Might Save a Life |
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This newsletter is sent monthly to West Central staff, Board & Committee members, and our many friends, advocates, volunteers, and donors -- nearly 3,000 in all! Please share it with your friends and family so people remember our name and the work we do as this region's community behavioral health clinic, and 24/7 mobile crisis response center.
When people in need know who we are, they'll contact us early,
before a crisis happens.
Click Here to sign up for West Central News delivered for free each month.
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