A Note from our President and CEO, Dr. Kiara Kuenzler |
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I noticed the first signs of spring in my garden a few weeks ago. The tiny green buds of crocus and tulips were peeping their way through the snow. With them came a reminder that when we are living through some dark and snowy days, it can be difficult to see that change is happening, that this too shall pass, and we can take comfort in the signs of growth signaling the warmer and brighter days ahead.
The last two consecutive years have been the most challenging of my personal and professional life. There have been births and deaths in my own family, tragedies in our communities and across the world, violence and war against individuals, communities, and countries. At the same time, there has been a coming together of humanity, in ways that inspire hope and deep connection. It has been a push and pull, between hope and despair, and a persistent uncertainty and anxiety, with little room to catch our breath and little time to plan and act for the future.
In November, I wrote about the importance of taking time to pause. As with the seasons of life, there are times when we are encouraged to turn inward, to rest, rejuvenate and reflect. I hope that you all were able to make the time to pause, as it is so important to nourish ourselves for the growth, changes, challenges, and harvest that this year will bring.
With the start of Spring, I am now pulled to reflect on the importance of change. How it is inevitable. How it can be messy and challenging. How we can embrace it for all the good it can bring into our lives. One of the biggest lessons that I have taken away from the past two years is that we can make positive changes happen in our lives, in our work, in our communities and in our world, when we carve out time to plan for the future. We can make choices about how we spend our precious time and energy; we have choices about how we react or do not react to the constant change around us. When we create space and time for thinking about the future, we can get unstuck from our reactive state to make positive change.
Sometimes changes are imperceptible in the present moment, but day to day, the crocus and the tulips will grow taller, and there is work to do to nurture the change in a positive direction.
Within Jefferson Center, we are coming out of our winter, and we are continuously making changes to best support one another and our community. Seeds that were planted a while ago are now starting to grow to fruition. We have been working on initiatives and innovative care practices that are allowing us to better meet the needs of our communities, even during a workforce crisis. We are piloting and offering innovative programs and ways of accessing services, through novel approaches to team-based care, expansion of telehealth kiosks across the community, the addition of welcome and wellness groups, and the expansion of community engagement and prevention programs.
As a broader community, we are making our way into the world again. We may feel hesitant due to the chronic uncertainty we have all experienced during the past two years. This is to be expected. As you dare to step out from the shadows of the pandemic, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the change you wish to cultivate and appreciate the growth you are experiencing in every moment. Reconnect with the people you care about, recommit to the positive change you hope to foster in your work, your relationships, and the world around you and be bold in turning your vision into reality.
- Kiara Kuenzler, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, President and CEO
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Voices Of Hope: Lisa's Story |
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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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“My quality of life is tremendous compared to
before I entered treatment.”
– Lisa, client at Jefferson Center
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Living a stable and happy life, Lisa is a force to be reckoned with. She has a successful career in the airline industry, serves on the board of directors of a non-profit organization, and is a published writer with stories showcased in Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul. Aside from her many talents, Lisa is a Denver resident who loves swimming, international travel, and inspiring others.
Prior to receiving treatment at Jefferson Center, Lisa recalls her first brush with a manic episode at the young age of 21. She recalls life being chaotic, unpredictable, and overwhelming.
“It was scary. The only chance I had was the help I got from
the community health center.”
At the time, Lisa didn’t have private insurance and relied on help from community mental health centers. During these visits she was diagnosed with Bi-polar I, and without medication to balance her brain chemistry, she would have found herself going in and out of hospitals with dangerous and damaging manic episodes.
“The therapy I received kept me grounded in learning about myself and the disease. The stability that I achieved by their services was invaluable, priceless. The local mental health center literally saved my life,” shares Lisa. Now, years after therapy and treatment, Lisa feels connected to friends, family, her psychology team, and the community. She can once again enjoy her favorite hobbies while working on projects with focus and clarity.
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Upcoming Events and Classes |
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Cafecito y Charla: Thursday, March 24
On March 24, 2022 from 10 – 11:30am, join Centro Dones for the Kids’ Mental Health workshop. Parents will learn awareness of mental health conditions in youth and tools for recognizing risk factors and signs of mental illness, ways to establish healthy communication with children, and practical ways to support their mental well-being. This Spanish language workshop provides educational information and opportunities to engage in group conversations with the Latino community.
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Mental Health First Aid
Do you want to find ways to better identify when someone is struggling and how to get help?
Become certified in Mental Health First Aid and learn skills, resources, and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care!
Next class is April 12!
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Suicide Prevention Training
Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) – 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. 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. There are upcoming English and Spanish classes available.
Next class is April 12!
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Purchase Your Ticket Now!
Soirée at the Station | April 28, 2022 | Mile High Station
We are excited to present our first in-person spring gala in more than two years! On April 28th at Mile High Station, Jefferson Center will bring together our donors, community partners, clients and staff members for “Soirée at the Station” to promote mental health and celebrate recovery from mental illness and addiction. This is 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.
Registration is now open and tickets for the gala are now on sale. Doors open at 5pm for VIP's and 6pm for general admission.
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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! |
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