Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.
News & Updates
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" What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation."
~Glenn Close
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Join our Online Support Group! |
We currently offer an online support group to connect with others! All are welcome and you may join by computer or phone. Click HERE to Join or c all 301-715-8592
If you experience any problems getting in, call 410-822-1601 for assistance
A peer led group with topics pertaining to depression and anxiety. A safe place to share your feelings, struggles and success with others.
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Join us for the Wings and Things presentation!
Reptiles and birds illustrate how we often judge an animal’s value by the way it looks. Learn that all wildlife serve a purpose in nature.
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One in Four Americans live with a Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder. |
The stigma experienced by individuals living with a mental health or substance use disorder is one of the biggest barriers to treatment and recovery. When we stigmatize, we view others through a lens of false assumptions, focus solely on a diagnosis, and reduce a person to a label. Stigma undermines relationships and blocks access to employment, housing, and quality medical care.
What is stigma?
Stigma is a predetermined attitude or belief about an individual or a group of people that often results in isolation, lack of opportunity, and discrimination. Stigmatizing behaviors can be subtle or blatant, intentional or unintentional, but in all its forms, stigma is damaging. Stigma is not simply a negative attitude or lack of “political correctness.” It can have life-threatening consequences.
Whom does stigma affect?
“Approximately 1 in 3 mental health consumers in the U.S. has been turned down for a job once their mental health problems were disclosed." — Heather Stewart, Ph.D., 2016
While stigma affects everyone, one of the most challenging problems facing our communities today involves the prejudice and discrimination against people with behavioral health disorders. Within any given year, one in four Marylanders (more than 1 million people) lives with a behavioral health condition, and these stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors create significant barriers to their recovery.
"Mental Health is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shames us all."
How do I know when it’s stigma?
We have to make judgments all the time, and we strive to base them on current and accurate information. However, stigma is a prejudgment based on assumptions, not facts, and is often fueled by fear or ignorance. For example, people often assume that individuals with a mental illness are violent, when the fact is that a person with a serious mental illness is much more likely to be the victim of a crime than to commit one.
How does stigma hurt individuals?
Stigma is one of the most significant barriers to recovery, resulting in feelings of isolation, hopelessness and helplessness. It undermines relationships and creates barriers to employment, housing, even access to quality medical care.
“… addiction is not a character flaw – it is a chronic illness that we must approach with the same skill and compassion with which we approach heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. — Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, 2016
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May 25th @ 1:00pm
Learn step by step how to create your own unique painting with CVI volunteer and local artist Jackie Dew! You will also learn about the therapeutic benefits of art and how you can incorporate it into your own recovery.
All materials will be provided and art experience or skill is not required to participate!
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Seven things I wish People Understood About Having a Mental Illness
1.) I'm not lazy
Depression is just so severe that we cant always perform daily functions. Everything physically feels like its to much . Our throats may close up just at the thought of taking care of ourselves, or socializing.
2.) I'm not always confident
We constantly feel like we're being judged. Having a mental illness can make you feel like you have a mark and that created a lot of self doubt.
3.) Sometimes I'm more stable, but Im not cured
There are days of stability for all of us;but it doesn't mean we're all better. Mental illness is chronic, it doesn't just go away.
4.) I have bad days even with medications
Medication doesn't make us impervious to life.. If something bad happened, we react, and if we are in a bad mood, we're still going to be in a bad mood.
5.) It hurts when your ashamed of my diagnosis
There's nothing more upsetting then to think that the people you love might be embarrassed by something you cant control.
6.) Don't say "It could be worse."
We're well aware that it could be worse. You make us feel selfish for dealing with chronic illness
7.) I know who my support team is and I love you!
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Get creative about Mental Health Awareness! CVI is once again kicking off Mental Health Awareness month with our Go Green campaign! Paint your nails a shade of Green, OR add a Mental Health awareness decal to your nails this month! Salons throughout the Mid-Shore will be participating with us to help spread awareness and make a statement about the importance of Mental Health! Don't forget to take a picture of your Mental Health "Maynicure" and tag us on social media with #GoGreen and #CVI!
Visit these salons below for your Mental Health Awareness Nail decal!
Dorchester County
Orchid Nails 443-225-6836 (Cambridge)
Nail Designs 410-228-4589 (Cambridge)
Caroline County
Sugar Coated Nails 443-448-7323 (Denton)
Henry's Nails 410-479-0080 (Denton)
Queen Anne's County
Nails 50 410-643-9666 (Stevensville)
Maxi Nails 410-604-0160 (Chester)
Talbot County
Polished Nails 410-822-0210 (Easton)
Easton Nails and Spa 410-822-8288 (Easton)
Kent County
Kim's Nails and Spa 410-810-1980 (Chestertown)
P Nails 410-810-0898 (Chestertown)
Decals obtained at NailDots.com
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Be a Super Hero; be an advocate for Mental Health
Mental health encompasses our emotional health, cognitive health and relationships. It includes taking care of and protecting ourselves so we can succeed in everyday life, taking care of others when they need us the most and overcoming obstacles. In other words, mental health is essential, and worth advocating for.
If we want to be advocates for those who are struggling with their mental health, we must first learn to be advocates for ourselves. This means being true to ourselves, loving ourselves and honoring ourselves, regardless of what our struggles are.
How Can I Become An Advocate?
You do not have to share your deepest darkest secrets on social media to become an advocate. You can stand up for others by sharing your story privately with a friend, neighbor or loved one. You also don’t have to share your story if you’re not yet ready. You can also:
- Support someone who needs help
- Volunteer for a local mental health organization
- Attend an awareness walk or other event benefitting the mental health movement
- Encourage your local politicians to prioritize mental health
- Correct those who use stigmatizing language
Together, we can change how the world views mental health. We can continue the mental health movement by speaking out, sharing our stories and showing others that they are not alone. Our societal perception of mental health, including mental illness, will not change if we do not take action to change it ourselves.
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Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.
Wellness and Recovery Center
607 Dutchman's Lane Easton, MD 21601
410-822-1601
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