A Note from Our President and CEO, Dr. Kiara Kuenzler | |
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Dear Community,
For some people, sometimes, the world can feel very lonely. Loneliness is created by much more than merely being alone. It is also a sense of not belonging, not feeling truly known by others, accepted, or unconditionally loved. This can happen as a result of struggling with a mental health condition, or when facing the stigma of battling an addiction. It can happen when we are going through a particularly challenging transition in our lives. It can happen when we don’t feel understood by the people around us, or don’t feel accepted for who we are.
We have talked about loneliness a lot over the past few years, especially as we better understand this loneliness epidemic that is driving poor health outcomes, early death, and increasing mental health conditions.
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- Kiara Kuenzler, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, President and CEO | |
Voices Of Hope: Susan'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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Suicide is preventable, but steps need to be taken in order to save someone’s life. One of the most important actions that needs to happen is the person who is contemplating suicide needs to seek professional help. Susan had been in and out of hospitals for suicidal ideation, but, lacking specialized mental health treatment, she never found herself stabilized. Even if she was not asking directly for help, she needed someone to intervene.
All Susan felt was that she was alone, hopeless, and helpless.
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“I realized that it wasn’t that I wanted to die.
I just wanted the pain to end. Once I faced the pain head-on, those suicidal thoughts diminished.”
- Susan, former client of a mental health center
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Want to help others by sharing your own story of mental health and/or substance use recovery? Visit our website to learn more, or contact Amy Lyden-Cardinal, Peer Specialist, at AmyL@jcmh.org or 720-202-7357.
You can remain anonymous.
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Upcoming Events and Classes | |
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Helping Kids Thrive 2022
Sign up now for Jefferson Center’s FREE Helping Kids Thrive Conference and Wellness Fair, where you’ll receive practical tools, tips, and tricks to help kids of all ages grow in positive ways.
This year, the event will run on Wednesday, September 28 from 5-8:45 p.m. Attendees will be able to participate in two live, 90-minute classes. Check out the link below to find the list of classes and register for this free event!
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Thank you to our event sponsors! | |
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.
Upcoming classes:
- September 26 & 29 | In-person adult MHFA | 6:00 - 9:30pm (both days)
- October 7 | virtual youth MHFA | 9:00am - 4:00pm
- October 11 | virtual adult MHFA | 9:00am - 4:00pm
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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:
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jueves, 15 de septiembre de 2022 | en línea | 09:00 - 10:30
- October 18 | virtual | 9:00 - 10:30am
- November 17 | virtual | 3:30 - 5:00pm
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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.
The July, August, and September Wellness Class schedule is now available!
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Soirée at Sunset
We had so much fun at Jefferson Center's late summer concert fundraiser! This event was held on Thursday, August 25 at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park and featured Chris Daniels & the Kings.
Our VIP guests were treated to a pre-show buffet with Chris and the band, and everyone enjoyed a wonderful show. This event raised money to support our critical work in the community and help raise awareness about the mental health challenges that connect all of us.
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2023 Art of Hope Calendar: Call for Submissions | | |
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We are currently accepting artwork submissions for our 2023 Art of Hope Calendar! Clients and former clients of Jefferson Center can submit their artwork now through Thursday, September 29.
The Art of Hope calendar is one of our favorite projects to work on here at Jefferson Center. Each year we look forward to the beautiful works of art that clients and former clients bring through our doors, and the creative ideas they have brought to life. Receiving the calendar each year touches the lives of as many as 6,500 people!
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Follow the link below to learn more about what kind of artwork can be submitted as well as where to submit. Also included are the submission/release forms that need to be filled out and sent in with the artwork.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Cara Albert at CaraA@jcmh.org.
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Mental Health Matters Blog | |
In case you missed them, check out our August blogs! | |
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Back-to-School Tips From Our School-based Coordinators
It is very normal for both children and their parents/guardians to feel some stress with the start of the new school year. Our School-based Coordinators have put together some tips to help ease the transition back into the school year and give your child every opportunity to be successful.
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A How-to Guide for Surviving Survival Mode
Survival mode is essentially booting in “safe mode”. Things like trauma, prolonged grief, or even burnout can cause our brains to opt into booting in this way – it’s basically our brain entering survival mode.
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Jefferson Center is a Top Workplace | |
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For the tenth year in a row, Jefferson Center has been recognized by The Denver Post as a Top Workplace! We don't take this honor for granted, and we are truly grateful to each and every one of our staff members that make Jefferson Center a great place to work.
Interested in joining Jefferson Center's team? We provide flexible schedules, remote options, and an exceptional benefits package to help you develop your career devoted to helping others. Learn more about the rewards of working at Jefferson Center and read through our open job listings on our website.
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Fun and uplifting stories to brighten your day | |
Follow Jefferson Center on social media! | | | | | |
