A Note from Our President and CEO, Dr. Kiara Kuenzler | |
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It’s May, and hopefully many of you are recognizing the signs of spring as an opportunity to spend more time outside, to pause, reflect, and find moments of joy as the days get warmer and growth is all around us. May is Mental Health Awareness and also an important time to also pause, and reflect on the impact that mental health challenges have on the lives of so many people and their families throughout the year.
Our team at Jefferson Center works throughout the year to engage with our community and address various mental health topics, both in-person and virtually, and this month we are especially busy, and happy to be so. Our Community Engagement team is visiting libraries, hospitals, and other community centers to conduct weekly meditations, wellness fairs, and present information on topics like burnout, anticipatory grief, supporting youth/older adult mental health, and more. Several members of our team have attended City Council and Board of County Commissioner meetings to accept Mental Health Month Proclamations from Jefferson, Gilpin, and Clear Creek County as well as the cities of Wheat Ridge, Golden, Arvada, Edgewater, and Westminster.
If you would like Jefferson Center to visit your organization and discuss various resources and information about mental health topics, please contact our team at SpeakersBureau@jcmh.org.
Wondering how you specifically can get involved with mental health month? I’ve compiled a list of resources and actions you can take to bring awareness and boost your own mental health knowledge:
1) Take a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) class. You will learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of a range of mental health and substance use disorders, and you will build the skills needed to help someone in crisis. Learn more by scrolling below and register for classes in May or June here.
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2) Partake in Cupcake Therapy. We’re continuing our partnership with Rheinlander Bakery in Arvada for Mental Health Month! Treat yourself to one of their delicious specialty cupcakes, and one dollar from each purchase will be donated to Jefferson Center. | |
3)Take a QPR class. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, Refer: three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Learn more by scrolling below and register for the next class on June 29th here. | |
4) Update your Zoom background. We have crafted several Zoom backgrounds in support of Mental Health Month. Download one of our images here, available with and without the Jefferson Center logo, to show your support as well! | |
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5) Talk to a loved one. While mental health disorders are not only confined to one month of the year, May is a good reminder to increase your awareness and check in on yourself and others. | |
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Lastly, please use Mental Health Awareness Month as a reminder to be kind to yourself. Practice self-care with granting yourself some extra rest, participating in your favorite activities you don’t normally make time for, spending time with family and friends, or even indulging in a cupcake or two. Your well-being matters, and taking care of yourself is the first step in being fully present and engaged with others.
- Kiara Kuenzler, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, President and CEO
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Voices Of Hope: Antonio's Story | |
Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Voices of Hope is Jefferson Center's way of highlighting stories of resilience and the strength of individuals as they overcome barriers, the family members who walk alongside them, and the mental health professionals who help them through their journey of recovery. | |
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Antonio had just moved from the East Coast to Colorado when he was first introduced to Jefferson Center. Despite several successful years of staying sober and attempting to readjust his life, he still struggled with his mental health, including living with bipolar disorder. Antonio had a difficult time grappling with depression and suicidal ideation, and though he was grateful that he was able to overcome his substance use disorder and sustain his sobriety, he knew that he needed additional help to diminish greater demons. Like many other clients who approach the staff at Jefferson Center, Antonio felt that he was running out of options. He was losing hope, and he was afraid that he would not make it to see the light on the other side of the tunnel. His options were limited, and the lack of choice made everything seem even more despondent and scary.
Though Antonio had sought services elsewhere before, he didn’t feel as though he received the type of care that was right for him. Jefferson Center offered him the kind of collaborative support that he needed to embrace his struggles and resolve them head-on. After receiving counseling, medication management, peer service, and supported employment, Antonio started to feel like his own, whole person again for the first time in quite a while.
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“I felt heard for the first time.”
- Antonio, former client of Jefferson Center
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In the month following Antonio’s accession of these service, his life has approved in many ways, and he feels much more optimistic about his future. With the support of Jefferson Center’s medication management services, he was able to lessen his medication intake overtime, and he has not had a major bipolar episode in more than four years. Antonio feels “human” once more, and he is now supported and secure enough to give back to the community and help others.
Read more stories of hope, resilience, and recovery on Jefferson Center's website!
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Upcoming Events and Classes | |
Are you interested in learning more about mental health and don’t know where to start? Do you want to learn how to help when someone you know is in crisis? | |
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Join the more than one million Americans who have taken the first step to stomp out stigma in their own communities with Mental Health First Aid. You will learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of many mental health and substance use disorders and develop the skills to help someone in crisis. All classes will be held in a virtual setting until further notice.
Register our upcoming classes:
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QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer
Suicide Prevention Training
QPR is a 90-minute gatekeeper training that can be customized to fit your audience. Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
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Upcoming classes (held online via Zoom):
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Wellness classes are back! | Please join us for one of our upcoming wellness classes! These 45 minute seminars discuss strategic methods to improve your wellness through nutrition, sleep, relationship building, artistic expression, and more! | |
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Thank you for joining us at Soirée at the Station!
We had so much fun at our first in-person spring gala in more than two years! On April 28th at Mile High Station, Jefferson Center brought together our donors, community partners, clients and staff members to promote mental health and celebrate recovery from mental illness and addiction.
This was our largest fundraising event of the year, and with so many people struggling right now, all proceeds from this event will benefit our work in community connection, prevention, early intervention, and fostering personal and community resilience.
At the soiree, we also learned about Susan's story, which you can view here:
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Tell Me Something Good
Fun and uplifting stories to brighten your day
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Follow Jefferson Center on social media! | | | | | |
