December 2021/Issue XXVII |
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'Tis the Season—of Stress-Free Giving?
At this time of the year, requests for gifts arrive in droves. In our mailboxes and inboxes, Facebook and Twitter feeds, and from friends and family members in what feels like an abundance of urgent holiday pleas. It seems everyone would like our support. Did you know, the act of giving releases oxytocin, a hormone that generates feelings of warmth and connection to others? And oxytocin reduces the stress hormone cortisol. But, here's the catch...your giving has to be to a cause that is meaningful to you. If you're reading this newsletter, it is our hope that West Central's work to help our community members with mental illness, substance use disorders, and mobile crisis services resonates with you. Our goal is to help people live their lives to the fullest extent possible by encouraging healthy lifestyles, helping them find work as part of their recovery, and treating everyone with compassion, respect, and dignity. Last year, we extended $600,000 in unreimbursed charitable care to our clients in need. This year, with your support, we hope to do more. Please Click Here to make a gift if you are able. Now, take a deep breath and relax, knowing this will help reduce your stress levels as we enter this holiday season.
Thank you, and our very best wishes for the holidays!
Photo Credit: Mara Ket
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Supported Employment: Working on the Right Fit
Finding the right path into the workforce can be a challenge for those with mental illness. West Central's Supported Employment Program offers a wide range of services, including person-centered employment planning, job search assistance, assistance in negotiating job accommodation or modification, on the job training, follow-along services for the duration of employment, career enhancement supports, and advocacy skills for our clients with severe mental illness. This Valley News article by Nora Doyle-Burr highlights our Supported Employment efforts in the community with a focus on one West Central client, Nikki Cristi of Newport, who is making strong progress working with our supported employment director, Todd Balise.
Pictured: Left, Todd Balise, West Central's Supported Employment Director and Nikki Kristl of Newport, NH.
Photo Credit: James M. Patterson, Valley News
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Article: Pressure-free Gift Giving
The holidays can be stressful for many, and we encourage you to take care of yourself. We'd like to share this American Psychological Association article on how to deal with the pressure of holiday gift giving. The article also links to another piece about how to find a psychologist, and the benefits of therapy. It links to a Q&A on getting help through psychotherapy. Most importantly, if you're feeling down or stressed, please reach out for support to friends or family. There's no shame in asking for help, or telling a friend how you're feeling. Taking care of yourself matters!
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Five Self-Care Tips
for the Holidays
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the holidays might feel especially challenging this year. Some people, particularly those with mental illness, might prefer to skip the holidays entirely to avoid the related stress. While we continue to adjust to the "new normal", Mental Health First Aid offers five tips to help you take care of your mental wellbeing this holiday season. By taking small actions each day, you can make your mental health a priority.
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Need to set up your first appointment? Call our 'New Client'
Appointment Line
603-542-5128
Teletherapy and in-person appointments
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Youth CAN Coalition
The Youth CAN Coalition, in partnership with West Central, is ramping up their Drug- Free Communities efforts by offering two sessions of Youth Mental Health First Aid , one in December of 2021 and one in January 2022. The purpose of the Coalition is to strengthen and expand community partnerships in order to prevent and reduce substance misuse among youth in Claremont and Newport. Stay tuned for details on the Coalition's Drug-Free Communities kick-off event in early 2022! (Click on the Youth CAN image to visit its Facebook page.)
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We're hiring!
West Central is seeking a full-time Prevention Coordinator to support the goals and activities of our Drug-Free Communities program through the work of the Youth CAN coalition. Click here for more details.
Other available positions include Mobile Crisis Response Clinicians, Peer Support Specialists, Team Leaders, Clinical Secretaries, Residential Specialists, Mental Health Therapists, Adult & Child Case Managers, and more. If you have an interest in helping others who truly need help, there's no more gratifying and meaningful work than in community behavioral health. Please Click Here to visit our Careers web page to find your next professional step that will make a world of difference for others so you can feel good about your work!
Watch this Video to learn more about how West Central clinicians and staff help their clients thrive.
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*West Central Holiday Hours*
December 17th: Closing at 1:00 PM
December 24th: Closed
December 31st: Closed
24/7 Mobile Crisis Response is always available
1-800-564-2578
We continue to reconvene group therapy sessions in our facilities with air purifiers and CO2 monitors to help with indoor air quality. As a reminder, masks are still required at all our locations. We continue to encourage our clients and all others in the community to get COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, and to get seasonal flu shots.
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On Vaccinations...
At this time, both NH and VT are vaccinating anyone 5 years of age or older regardless of residency. Boosters are now available for anyone 18 and older at many walk-in locations. On December 1st, NH opened up registration to schedule one of the 10,000 boosters that will be made available Dec. 11 during the statewide “Booster Blitz.” You can now make an appointment at vaccines.nh.gov and choose among 20 sites located from the North Country and western part of the state, to central New Hampshire and the Seacoast. Register early as appointments are limited!
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has made it easier for you to receive your COVID-19 vaccine. In a partnership with Convenient MD, the NH Mobile Vaccine Van is available to provide free vaccination clinics across the state at any location to groups of all sizes. You can get COVID-19 vaccine information at vaccines.nh.gov or by calling 2-1-1. For VT vaccination information, Click Here to learn more.
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Community Health Hub
The City of Lebanon has launched a Community Health Hub which includes two nurses, a paramedic, and access to West Central Behavioral Health's mental health Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) program. This municipal partnership will provide critical services to residents in the community where they live and work.
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Do you appreciate what we're doing for our community? If you're reading this and are able to make a gift to us, please do. We're a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit serving clients in the Upper Valley and Sullivan County with offices in Lebanon, Claremont, and Newport, NH. Last year, we extended nearly $600,000 in charitable care to vulnerable people in need of our services. No gift is too small, and we accept monthly recurring contributions on our giving page. We also accept gifts of stock and other marketable securities, and encourage our friends to name West Central as a beneficiary in their wills and estate plans. For more information, please visit our Giving page or contact Dave Celone at dcelone@wcbh.org.
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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 and supporters. Please share it with your friends and family so people remember our name and the work we do as this region's community mental health, substance use disorder, and 24/7 mobile crisis response center.
When people in need know who we are,
they'll contact us before a crisis occurs.
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24/7 Mobile Crisis Response Line
1-800-564-2578
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