CVI Calendar & Newsletter July 2021

Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.

News & Updates

July 2021

"Awareness is all about restoring your freedom to choose what you want, instead of what your past imposes on you."

Click here for our July Calendar!

We are excited to announce that we will be moving to a new, larger location on Dutchman’s Lane in Easton!

A sincere thank you to the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration for approving our request for an increase in funds and the support of Mid Shore Behavioral Health who advocated on our behalf. This new location will nearly double our space!

Plans for using the additional space include two meeting rooms with which to hold groups and activities, an activity room which will be used for gaming and will also include fitness equipment and a respite/sanctuary room.

The property also has a large parking lot, large and beautiful outdoor space and is handicap accessible from the front and back of the building.

The building is currently undergoing renovations and we are hoping to be officially moved in by the second week of August.

***Please note that CVI will be closed July 26th- August 5th in order to move and get prepared to open the doors to our new place!****

Welcome to our CVI Newsletter! We hope to use this as another way to engage with you! We may not completely back to "normal", but we are always here for you when you need us!

Please know you can reach out to us through our warmline at 410-822-1601 Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm. This is manned by our Peer Support Specialists and is a way for you to connect to share your thoughts and struggles with someone who will listen and who cares.

Have something you would like to see included next month? Would you like to include your own story of your recovery journey? Let us know by reaching out to our Program Coordinator, Avra Sullivan at asullivan@chesapeakevoyagers.org or call 410-822-1601

Join our Online groups!

We currently offer two online support groups to connect with others! Click below to be taken directly to the group you wish to join. All are welcome and you may join by computer or phone.

Overcoming Depression and Anxiety Recovery Group - Mondays @ 4:00pm

A peer led group with topics pertaining to depression and anxiety. A safe place to share your feelings, struggles and success with others

Dealing With Loss Support Group - Fridays @ 1:00pm

Learn ways to cope and deal with loss, be it from death, broken relationships or life circumstances

Welcome back!

For July we continue to be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11-3 pm!

We will continue to limit the number of people who can attend at one time and sign-up procedures will remain the same, however, you can now sign up for 2 days a week instead of one. You will need to call ahead to sign up for the day(s) you would like to come in by calling Maria at 410-253-1720. We can provide transportation to those who need it in Talbot County.

New Groups for Wednesday include Adult Children of Alcoholics, a 12- step group that seeks to support those who grew up with an alcoholic parent or, who experienced other family dysfunction as a child. We also will have a rotating group each Wednesday that looks at different topics, Living Resilient, Effective Problem Solving, Meditation, and Identifying Grief. Come to them all, or find one that connects with you the most!

Click here for our July Calendar!!

CVI will be CLOSED July 26th- August 5th in order to move to our new location!!

Our phone lines will remain open Monday through Friday from 10am–6pm by calling 410-822-1601 if you need to talk or have questions about resources. Our Facebook page remains active and you can message us through that as well. We will continue to post information and updates related to COVID-19 and community resources as it becomes available.

Freedom From Anger

Everyone feels angry at times; what you do with it is important. Learning your triggers and healthy coping skills can lead to better relationships and more happiness.

www.psycom.net

Article by:

Kathleen Smith, PhD, LPC

Anger management is a phrase that gets tossed around in everyday language, but it’s often misinterpreted. Managing your anger doesn’t imply that you won’t ever feel angry. Life is full of challenges, and sometimes it is healthy and normal to experience anger. What you do with that anger is important, so mature adults must learn the signs of anger and strategies to keep their reactions to situations positive and productive.

What triggers your anger response? Sometimes it can be an event or the simply memory of one. Your brain and body are built to become angry sometimes when you feel threatened. But a person can’t respond aggressively to everything that makes them angry. Aggression sometimes may be physical, but it can also manifest itself as grumpiness, irritability, or sarcasm. These negative responses can add up over time and weigh you down.

There are three major ways you can respond to anger: expressing your emotions, suppressing them, or calming them. There is no one right way, as each of these reactions can be appropriate in different situations. For example, rather than acting aggressively, a person can be assertive about their rights and values. Rather than stuffing emotions into a box, a person can redirect their thoughts towards seeking a positive solution to a problem. And finally, a person can practice calmness to reduce their overall reaction to stress and promote healthy living.

Signs of an Anger Management Problem

How do you know that your way of managing anger needs improvement. You might:

Feel a lack of control of your emotions
Feel depressed about your anger
Engage in or think about physical violence
Have frequent arguments with others
Feel constantly impatient
Find many people irritate you

If you struggle with anger, you also might experience physical symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, heart problems, increased substance use, headaches, high blood pressure, and digestive issues.

Taking Action to Control Your Anger

There are countless benefits to learning how to manage your anger. Learning communication strategies and conflict resolutions skills can benefit your work life. You’ll foster positive relationships with friends and family members. Managing anger can also help you feel healthier, as you’ll possibly sleep better, lower your blood pressure, and maybe even live a longer life. Learning healthy responses can also lower your risk for poor mental health and protect you from symptoms depression, anxiety, and substance use problems. Let’s look at a few ways you can start learning to manage your anger today.

Access Resources. Chances are there are multiple resources available to you at work or in your community. If your workplace has an employee assistance provider, you can ask about free counseling sessions or educational classes that teach anger management. You can also find in-person or online support groups for anger management. If you are not sure where to find resources, talk to your doctor or check with your local library. You can also talk to a friend or colleague who has worked on their anger to talk about their experiences with resources in the community.

Pay Attention. Before you can change your reaction to anger, you have to spend some time observing it. Notice what triggers your anger. Is it work? Maybe rush hour or waiting in line at the grocery store sets you off. Perhaps it’s financial problems and looking at your bank balance. Next, notice the signs of your anger. Do your palms sweat? Does your heart race? Do you drive aggressively? Also, pay attention to your thoughts. Do you tend to switch on your worst-case-scenario thinking when you are angry? Before you can focus on the facts of a situation, you have to examine those irrational thoughts and challenge them.

Be Solution-Focused. There are many strategies that are focused on finding healthy, productive ways of managing your anger. Using relaxation techniques can help you practice being mindful in your responses. You can learn deep breathing to calm your body and focus your mind. Communicating your needs calmly and effectively can help you switch from aggressive responses to assertive ones.

If you feel like you don’t have the skills to be solution-focused, the first step is asking for help. For most people, simply reading about anger management and coaching yourself simply isn’t enough. Signing up for a class or asking a professional for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a commitment to the promise that anger doesn’t have to steer your life in a direction you don’t want.

Anger is a reality of life, but you can manage it with the right work and a clear mindset. What steps can you take today to help manage your anger?

Mental Health and Addiction both have a lot of myths surrounding them. These can often lead to stigma and even discrimination. Each month, we will look at a myth and the truth behind it.

Myth: Mental Health problems are permanent.

Fact: A mental health diagnosis is not necessarily a “life sentence.” Each individual’s experience with mental illness is different. Some people might experience episodes, between which they return to their version of “normal.” Others may find treatments — medication or talking therapies — that restore balance to their lives.

Some people may not feel as though they have fully recovered from a mental illness, and some may experience progressively worse symptoms.

However, the take-home message is that many people will recover to a greater or lesser degree.

It is also important to consider that “recovery” means different things to different people. Some might view recovery as a return to exactly how they felt before symptoms began. For others, recovery might be relief from symptoms and a return to a satisfying life, however different it may be.

Mental Health America, a community-based nonprofit, explain:

“Recovering from mental illness includes not only getting better but achieving a full and satisfying life. Many people affirm that their journey to recovery has not been a straight, steady road. Rather, there are ups and downs, new discoveries, and setbacks.” They continue:

“The journey to full recovery takes time, but positive changes can happen all along the way.”

The People's Roundtable

The People's Roundtable creates a connection between consumers and service providers so consumers know what services are available and service providers know what the consumers' needs are.

Held on the second Tuesday of every month from 3-4pm

Dial In option:

1-301-715-8592

Meeting ID: 854 6024 6082

Passcode: 058484

http://www.bitly.com/ThePeoplesRoundtable

It is estimated that 34.2 million Americans have one form of Diabetes. That averages out to about 1 in 10 adults! However, there are ways to prevent it, and ways to manage it if you do have it.

Learn about the types of Diabetes, risk factors and how you can best manage symptoms.

Join us at CVI on Wednesday, July 7th at 1pm for this presentation.

Please email Avra at asullivan@chesapeakevoyagers.com or call the center at 410-822-1601 if you have questions or would like to attend

"...Weeks passed, and the little Rabbit grew very old and shabby, but the Boy loved him just as much. He loved him so hard that he loved all his whiskers off, and the pink lining to his ears turned grey, and his brown spots faded. He even began to lose his shape, and he scarcely looked like a rabbit any more, except to the Boy. To him he was always beautiful, and that was all that the little Rabbit cared about. He didn't mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real, shabbiness doesn't matter.”

Margery Williams - The Velveteen Rabbit

Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc.

Wellness and Recovery Center

342-C North Aurora Street

Easton, MD 21601

410-822-1601