About Growing Through Grief - Stairways Behavioral Health

Vol. 2.2
MAGAZINE
advancing mental wellness
Bettye Walker
Speaks UP
About Growing
Through Grief
Spirituality &
Mood Disorders
Help for Pennsylvania’s
Underinsured
Your Health Connection:
• Diabetes & Depression
• A Natural Alternative to Aspartame
• Insecticide-free Gardening
1
c o n t e n ts
Stressed about work?
Teenager out of control?
Drug or alcohol issues?
Postpartum depression?
Relationship problems?
Gambling too much?
Unresolved grief?
Worried or anxious?
14 Improving the Health of Our
31 "Seasons Pass"
Community
Dr. Penny Chapman Directs
Psychiatric Fellowship in Pa.
in Mental Health News and Issues
- Pennsylvania’s Uninsured Population
Exceeds One Million
- Mental Health Web Site Serves
Hispanic Americans
Stairways
behavioral
health
This new outreach program is made possible by a special grant from Erie Insurance Group through the Department of
Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, and with additional support from the
Robert and Kathleen Frenzel Fund of The Erie Community Foundation and the Kern Family Foundation.
by Jim Renshaw
A Poem by Mary Therese Goebel
On the COVER
8
Eating for Mental Wellness
9
Keeping the Faith
The information available in and through UP Magazine is presented in summary form as a supplement to, and
NOT a substitute for, the knowledge, skill and judgment of qualified health care professionals. The information
contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Stairways
Behavioral Health makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of this information.
Information accessed in or through UP Magazine is neither complete nor exhaustive and does not cover all
disabilities, diseases, illnesses, and physical conditions or their management or treatment. Should you have any
health, medical or disability questions or concerns, please consult a health care professional.
Does Aspartame Aggravate Mood
Disorders?
with Guidelines for Providing Spiritual
Support to People with Mental Illness
12
Diabetes and Depression
Produced by
Stairways Behavioral Health
16
A Personal Story of Recovery
2185 West 8th Street
Erie, PA 16505
Toll-free phone: 1-888-453-5806
www.StairwaysBH.org
23
15 Resources for
Pennsylvania’s Underinsured
25
Green Gardening for Mental
Health
Managing Editor
Amanda P. Burlingham
Contributing
Photographer
Mark Fainstein
Designer
2
with Tricia Cloyd
22 What’s UP
For individuals, couples and families
with and without private mental health insurance.
www.StairwaysBH.org
30 Living Well: My Perspective
by Lee Steadman
by Judy Smith, Ph.D.
Stairways Behavioral Health
Counseling Center
Call 814-454-5686 if you use an Access medical card.
6 Inside Looking Out
Stages and Stories
The New
It’s a new service now available
and affordable for everyone.
28 Talk About It
by Bill McCarthy
19 Moving Through Grief:
Talk
about it.
Now Open — Call 814-452-8913.
4 The Growing Season
Engel O’Neill Advertising
© 2009 Stairways Behavioral Health. All Rights Reserved.
with Research from National Expert
Michelle D. Owens, Ph.D.
Bettye Walker Speaks UP About
Growing Through Grief
by Steve Heitzenrater
Have a story idea or personal
journey you’d like to share?
Contact UP Magazine Managing
Editor Amanda Burlingham at
[email protected].
3
The Growing Season
Loss can come at any time. In fact, it is often right around the corner. A
job. A marriage. A loved one. It comes with many questions. How did this
happen? Why me? It brings many challenges. Where to go next. Whom to
trust. It accompanies countless, sometimes debilitating, emotions. Anger.
Anxiety. Grief.
But loss – if we let it – also serves as a companion
to growth. It has a way of shaking us to the core,
forcing us to peel away our many layers and look
at our lives with fresh eyes. Oftentimes, what we
see is a person off kilter in this way or that, out of
line with our own values, off track with the life we
desire or thought we would have. In this new selfawareness, we have two choices: remain stagnant
in our loss and thereby risk and gain nothing, or
allow the circumstances to propel us forward. It is
in this choosing that loss either holds us captive or
sets us free.
There is a Chinese idiom which states, “Letting go means opening
oneself to something else coming in.” When we hold on to what was – a
person, a career, a way of life – we lack the vision and energy needed to
reach for what could be. As we let go, we journey toward restoration and
transformation. With time and insight, resources and support, we change
like the seasons. What was once frozen is newly purposed and flourishes
in the sunlight of self-discovery.
What will you cultivate this season? What losses will you release and
repurpose? What will you welcome into your life?
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Talk about it with a family member, friend or clergy member today. Or contact
Stairways Behavioral Health at 814-453-5806 or www.StairwaysBH.org for
information about the countless resources available in your area.
With hope for you and your journey,
Letting go means
opening oneself
to something else
coming in.
~ Chinese Idiom
Bill McCarthy
President and CEO
Stairways Behavioral Health
Readers’ Comments
You spoke UP about our winter issue and we listened! Thanks to all of
our readers for their encouraging and thought-provoking messages.
“A lot of information and inspiration
in a compact magazine!”
-Susan McGrain, Fairview, Pa.
“I have looked forward to each
issue and think you are providing an
important and much-needed service
to the community.”
-Karyn Langdon, Erie Homes for
Children & Adults, Erie, Pa.
“Anything that brings positive
attention to behavioral health is
good for society.”
-Tom Kennedy, Meadville, Pa.
“I think this is a wonderful
community service and plan to
utilize it with our employees.
Thank you.”
-Sister Phyllis McCracken, Saint
Mary’s Home of Erie, Pa.
5
Inside Looking Out
By Lee Steadman
It wasn’t long ago that school projects involved children going outside,
discovering unknown things while looking to fulfill their assignment
complete with muddy feet, scrapes and bruises,
…kids are as safe
and (God forbid) a little dirt underneath their
outside the home
fingernails. Now the information is efficiently
today as they were
gathered and packaged, formatted and cut and
in the 1970s.
pasted into a neat binder. No longer do children
have to get out, away from the screen to view the
wonders of nature. What a world they are being deprived of when they miss
the adventure, smells, colors and – most of all – memories that come from
spending unstructured time outdoors.
Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children
from Nature-Deficit Disorder,” describes what happens to young people
who become disconnected from their natural world. Louv links the rise in
childhood obesity, attention disorders, depression and lack of environmental
knowledge to the fact that today’s kids are spending too much time in their
chairs and not enough time wandering in the fields and woods.
Much of this disorder is due to the parental fear that has invaded everyone’s
homes – fear of child abductions. In a 2006 interview in “Grist Magazine,”
Louv states that “fear is changing our lives. The irony is, when you look at the
statistics on abductions, almost all are by family members, and the number
of abductions has been going down for about a decade.” He points to a 2005
Duke University study that says kids are as safe
outside the home today as they were in the 1970s. So
When you look at
why are parents so afraid to let their kids go out and
the statistics...
play? Louv blames the media’s obsessive coverage of
the number of
crimes against kids. “It’s no accident people think
abductions has
there’s a bogeyman on every corner,” Louv asserts.
been going down
for about a decade.
As a parent, I know it is easier said than done when
it comes to allowing our children to play outside.
But the rewards of giving our kids the gift of nature and all of its beauty far
outweigh the risks. Get your kids’ feet muddy and unravel some of that daily
structure. The connectivity will be healthy for your family and the world. You
can find more information on this topic online, but you would be better off to
just go outside!
Sources: “What’s Louv Got To Do With It?: Does Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods Say Anything
New?” © 2009 Grist Magazine, Inc. www.grist.org. February 5, 2009. Louv, Richard. (2008). “Last
Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder.”
Lee Steadman, his wife, Lori, and their three sons enjoy nature together on their
family farm in McKean, Pa. As an artist and avid outdoorsman, Lee captures the
seasons of the farm through watercolor painting.
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7
eating for Mental wellness
Aspartame and Mental Illness: Is There a Connection?
Erie psychiatrist Ralph G. Walton, M.D., has studied the effects of aspartame
on people with mood disorders since 1985. In an early study, Dr. Walton
demonstrated that individuals who ingested 30mg/kg/day of aspartame (well
below the FDA-approved acceptable daily intake of 50 mg/kg) experienced
increased depression and multiple physical symptoms including headaches,
nausea, fatigue and eye pain. Although the reactions were so severe that he
felt he could not ethically perform additional human studies, Dr. Walton’s
years of clinical work have compounded his beliefs that aspartame should
be banned. He stresses, “It can produce and aggravate depression and panic
attacks, and in certain patients, it can trigger manic episodes.” Dr. Walton
travels internationally to speak against the substance and publicly challenge
the FDA and its worldwide counterparts for approving it. Most recently,
he testified on the hazards of aspartame before Parliament in the House of
Commons in London and the European Food Safety Authority in Italy.
Closeup of a stevia plant
Whole Foods Cooperative Education and
Outreach Coordinator Bob Sonnenberg
recommends the herb stevia as a natural
alternative to aspartame. “Stevia is one of the
most versatile and safest sweeteners available,”
he says. “It has no calories and no side effects
and has been used for hundreds of years.”
According to Sonnenberg, stevia comes in
three forms: powdered, unflavored liquid
or liquid in many flavors, all of which can
replace sugar in everyday cooking and baking.
For recipes, visit www.stevia.com.
Research on the safety of aspartame continues globally. Stevia and countless
organic food items can be found at the Whole Foods Cooperative, 1341
West 26th Street, Erie, Pa.
Sources: Walton, Ralph G. (1986). Seizure and mania after high dose aspartame. “Psychosomatics,” 27,
218-219. Walton, Ralph G., Hudak, Robert, Green-Waite, Ruth J. (1993). Adverse reactions to aspartame:
double-blind challenge in patients from a vulnerable population. “Biological Psychiatry,” 34, 13-17.
8
the faith
KEEPING
Stairways Behavioral Health recently completed a spirituality survey to
better understand the significance, practices and goals of local mental
health consumers. While the results indicated that faith is as unique as the
individual, they also illustrated that spirituality is an essential part of the
recovery process.
Stairways Manager of Family Education Trisha Cloyd says, “Mental illness has
a way of making us question ourselves more than almost anything else in life.
Our lives get turned upside down during an episode of illness. Coming to an
understanding of the meaning of life – who we are, why we’re here – can be
key to putting all of the pieces back together.”
But breeching this often private matter may be difficult for family members,
friends and direct care workers. For clergy members with little training in
mood disorders, it can be challenging to minister to mental health consumers
and their family members. UP Magazine sought advice from Cloyd and
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) member Jan Lutz on ministering
to people with mental illness.
“First and foremost,” Trisha explains, “people need to know they are not to
blame. This is a neuro-biological disease, not a character flaw or the result of
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bad parenting. And it is certainly not judgment for one’s sins.” Cloyd goes on
to say that people with mental illness need to know they are loved and that
there is hope for a bright future. “Reassure them that God loves them and still
has a wonderful plan for their lives, no matter what it looks like at the time,”
she emphasizes. “Over time, one can find that illness can actually be a blessing
as it builds character and brings all sorts of new
meaning, possibilities and people into your life.
This illness is not the end of the world. Life
goes on, and it can be a very good life.”
Encourage people with a mental illness to
take time to reflect on and discuss their own
thoughts and feelings about their meaning
and purpose. If they are interested, help
them find and attend a place of worship that
aligns with their beliefs and offers a welcoming, accepting congregation and
knowledgeable, compassionate staff. Inter-Church Ministries of Erie County,
Pa., provides a directory of churches, synagogues and support online at
www.icmeriecounty.com. Spirituality can also be explored through a variety of
paths such as the Christian publication “Our Daily Bread” (order by visiting
www.Christ.com/devotional-ourdailybread.html) or the nondenominational
Web site www.dailyOM.com. Local mental health consumers may benefit from
discussion groups through the Mental Health Association of Northwestern
Pennsylvania, 1101 Peach Street, Erie, Pa. Visit www.mhanp.org or call
814-452-4462 for a list of events.
providing spiritual support
To People with Mental Illness & Their Families
DO:
• Inform people with mental illness of the many resources available in the
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
DON’T:
• Use shame or guilt as a motivator. For many people with mental illness,
these emotions have contributed to a breakdown.
• Tell people to just pray harder. This tactic would be inappropriate for those
•
•
Did you know?
Today’s treatment methods for mental illness are highly effective. The
National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that up to 90 percent of
individuals who combine medications with therapies and other supports,
including faith practices, experience a significant reduction in symptoms
and overall improved quality of life. Learn more at www.nami.org.
area. Visit www.StairwaysBH.org to learn more.
Talk of God’s unconditional love and your care and concern.
Share that it can happen to anyone. Statistics show that one out of four people
will have some form of diagnosable mental illness sometime in their lives.
Pray for balance in their life and tolerance in yours.
Listen without judging or offering advice.
Correct those who ignorantly spread gossip or misinformation about mental
illness.
Treat people affected by mental illness and their families with compassion,
not condescension. Most don’t want pity, just understanding and support.
Educate yourself about mental illness and mental health issues via Web
sites like www.nami.org.
Advocate for people with mental illness who are often unable to speak
for themselves.
•
•
with cancer or a heart condition, and it is equally inappropriate for people
with mental illness. Recognize that mental illnesses are physiologically
based and do respond to treatment.
Tell people that it is a result of sin. Mental illness is not the result of a sin
committed or anything people have failed to do.
Treat people like a second-class believer or accuse them of being demonpossessed.
Look down on people with mental illness for using medications to control
their symptoms. Someone with depression using anti-depressants is no
different than one with diabetes using insulin.
Confuse mental illness and mental retardation. Both are often misunderstood,
resulting in stigmatization. The terms are not interchangeable.
Modified from an article written by NAMI mental health advocate Jan Lutz
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health watch:
Diabetes & Depression
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes now
affects nearly 24 million people in the United States. Recent research reports
that depression is twice as common in people with diabetes and that depressed
adults have a 37 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Here,
Michelle D. Owens, Ph.D., shares a portion of her research from the online
article, “Diabetes at Work: What’s Depression Got to Do With It?”
Depression in diabetes is very concerning for several reasons:
Individuals who are depressed may have more difficulty following the
medical treatment that their health care team establishes. For example,
depressed persons might not take their medication as prescribed or
monitor their glucose levels as health care professionals recommend.
Individuals who are depressed might adopt unhealthy behaviors, such
as a sedentary lifestyle and/or a poor diet.
Social isolation is also common for people who are depressed, which
decreases opportunities for social support that is often needed for selfmanagement of diabetes.
Untreated depression places people with diabetes at risk for complications
that could be avoided, including heart disease, blindness and amputations.
To read Dr. Owen’s work in its entirety, visit www.DiabetesAtWork.org. If you
or someone you know has diabetes and is depressed, call Stairways Behavioral
Health at 814-453-5806 or contact a medical professional today.
A portion of the article, “Diabetes at Work: What’s Depression Got to Do With It?,” was reprinted
from www.DiabetesAtWork.org with kind permission from Michelle D. Owens, Ph.D., and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program which is jointly
sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Continuing education credits on depression and diabetes are available at www.DiabetesAtWork.org,
© 2009.
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Free Book Helps Prevent Child Abuse
In partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network, licensed clinical
social worker Kathleen Shelly-Amoriello recently published the second
edition of “My Personal Touch: A Child’s Story About Good and Bad
Touch.” Written for kids ages 4-8, the workbook encourages positive
exploration through touching, such as petting a cat and catching
raindrops. It also illustrates negative examples of touch to build
kids’ awareness of dangerous situations and prevent abuse. In honor
of National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, Amoriello
donated one book to every kindergartner in the Catholic schools of the
Diocese of Erie, Pa. Parents, schools, child care centers and nonprofit
organizations can also receive free copies of “My Personal Touch” by
calling 814-452-5487.
May is Mental Health Month
58 percent of Americans reported struggling
in their lives at the end of 2008
Take action
to preserve and
strengthen your mental health.
Contact us for services that can help.
The Mental Health Association is a consumer-driven
and run grassroots organization that provides an
environment which supports and promotes recovery
for people with mental health needs.
advertisement
www.mhanp.org
814-452-4462
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Improving the
Health of
our Community
local psychiatrist & fellowship
Impacts Pennsylvania’s Mental Health
Penny Chapman, M.D., has dedicated her career
to “community psychiatry,” a track of psychiatry
committed to providing quality care to all
patients, regardless of the severity of the illness
or ability to pay. After moving her practice from
England to America, Dr. Chapman acclimated
herself with Pennsylvania’s mental health care
system and went to work for the mental health
care needs of the region.
Dr. Chapman has worked with Stairways
Behavioral Health since 1999, serving as
Penny Chapman, M.D.
community psychiatrist at the Erie Outpatient
Clinic, leading as medical director and overseeing educational collaborations
including an innovative psychiatric residency program. She says, “One of
the original goals for the psychiatric residency program was to ensure that
our area receives highly qualified psychiatrists who can care for, and who
care about, people of diverse backgrounds.” But many of those residents are
leaving the state after training. “We needed more
opportunities for fledgling psychiatrists,” she asserts.
“We needed more
opportunities
An active member of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric
for fledgling
Leadership Council, Dr. Chapman led a team that
psychiatrists...”
sought monies to afford approval of one of three
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adult community psychiatric fellowships in Pennsylvania. Through a generous
grant made possible by the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council
and Estelle Richman, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public
Welfare, Dr. Chapman added “fellowship director” to her list of noteworthy
accomplishments.
Dr. Chapman’s third fellow, Dr. John Simora, will begin his studies in July
2009. He will develop medical and leadership skills, learn about the region’s
vast resources, and gain extensive experience in community psychiatry in
both inner-city and rural areas. As part of
“My wish is that
the program, Dr. Chapman leads behavioral
they will choose to health work at several nonprofit organizations,
stay and continue
including House of Healing, an organization
the good work they
committed to giving women involved in
have started.”
the criminal justice system opportunities to
rebuild their lives. Dr. Chapman and her students meet bi-weekly with the
House of Healing tenants to provide on-site psychiatric and drug and alcohol
screenings, and medication monitoring. Her team also provides psychiatric
consultation to the House of Healing staff and to health professionals at
Community Health Net, an organization dedicated to providing exceptional
health care to all. Dr. Chapman says that these experiences provide vast
networking opportunities for her students. “More importantly,” she adds,
“they are witnessing hope and healing firsthand. My wish is that they will
choose to stay and continue the good work they have started.”
Dr. Chapman continues to work closely with Harrisburg officials in an effort
to build an incentive package for qualified psychiatrists willing to practice
in Pennsylvania, especially in the underserved rural regions. She is certain
that regardless of the incentives, her investment in Dr. Simora is a wise one.
She says assuredly, “He is committed to practicing in the area. He will be a
wonderful addition to our community.”
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A personal st
ory of recovery
Bettye Walker Speaks UP About
Growing Through Grief
By Amanda Burlingham
I am in awe of the woman on the stage. Her physical stature alone is
breathtaking. Her hands tell a story all their own as they dance in the air
around her words. But it is her spirit that inspires me most. In spite of
suddenly losing four beloved family members, Bettye Walker is healing our
community through her gifted storytelling. By talking about her own journey,
she encourages others to do the same. Talk about your pain and illness with
Bettye? Yes. But then, get ready to talk about hope and healing through faith,
service and medical treatment.
When Bettye’s parents died within six days of
each other, she was lost. They had each lived long,
fruitful lives, but the passing was sudden and
simply too much to bear. Bettye retreated to her
room. After a few weeks, her granddaughter, Sarah,
challenged Bettye by asking, “Grandma, why are
you crying?” Bettye whimpered, “I miss Mamaw
and Papaw.” Sarah snapped, “Grandma, if you lived
to be that old, I would be ashamed for God to see
me cry.” Bettye laughed for what felt like the first time.
“Storytelling links
the past with the
future bringing
people together
for healing and
happiness and
hope.”
The relief was short lived. Just six months later, Bettye found out that her
youngest daughter, Bonnie, had died tragically. Bettye recalls, “Just as I was
beginning to function after my parents’ deaths, I found out my baby was
gone. I felt my heart break that day.” When her brother died of kidney failure
a month later, Bettye was so grieved that she could not attend the funeral.
Bettye retreated to her bedroom again and for four years, she barely worked,
she cut off social ties and rarely communicated with her family. “I was so
16
depressed, most days
I only left my room
for food. I never tried
to commit suicide,”
Bettye says, “but there
were times I wished I
wouldn’t wake up the
next morning.”
One night, Bettye saw
Bonnie in a dream.
Bettye remembers,
“Bonnie begged me,
‘Mama, take care of
yourself.’ The next
morning, I took a good
look in the mirror and
wept. At 325 pounds,
I barely recognized
myself. One week later,
I was diagnosed with
diabetes.”
A form of storytelling, quilting helped Bettye Walker
grow through her grief.
Shocked into action, Bettye studied the effects of diabetes. A funny thing
about Bettye is that the more she learned, the more she wanted to help others.
“I was taught that the best way to help yourself is to help somebody else,” she
explains. She started by writing the play, “Ain’t Got No Sugar,” which focused
on a woman who has diabetes but doesn’t want to face the diagnosis. The play
debuted at the 2007 Diabetes Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention
Center in Pittsburgh.
Bettye didn’t stop there. She began dancing off her weight. She shared her
story with a few close friends and before she knew it, a studio full of women
were “Boogieing with Bettye” everyday. Her newfound energy gave her the
emotional strength she needed to finally reach out to her family. After years
17
of avoiding their phone calls and visits, she was able to explain where she had
been emotionally. “I slid into a dark hole,” she cried.
Once Bettye opened up about her journey, she invited others to do the same.
Every Saturday, women from all walks of life gathered at her clothing store,
So’journer Expressions, to share their stories. “It relieved the pain for a while,”
she remembers, “but my thought patterns were such that once everyone went
home, I would feel the pain again. I kept talking,
though, and every time I told my story and every
“If only I knew
time somebody told me theirs, I healed a little bit
then what I know
more, a little bit longer.” All the while, she was
now: Prayer and
storytelling through quilting, sewing, playwriting
medicine go
and acting. “Storytelling links the past with the
together. If I would
future,” she says, “bringing people together for
have seen a doctor,
healing and happiness and hope.”
I would have gotten
back to living a lot
earlier.”
It has been six years since Bettye lost her loved
ones. Today, she wears a soaring eagle around
her neck, a symbol of her own resurrection. She
admits that her journey to recovery was too long. “I knew something was
wrong but did not seek professional help,” she says. “If only I knew then what
I know now: Prayer and medicine go together. If I would have seen a doctor,
I would have gotten back to living a lot earlier.” She talks with her beloveds
daily, trusting they are near in spirit. She adds, “I’ll never forget them, but I
have to go on in spite of the loss. I still have work to do here. I still have a lot
of stories to tell.”
Bettye Walker’s
healing quilt tells the
story of her seven-year
journey to mental and
physical wellness.
moving through grief:
Stages and Stories
By Judy Smith, Ph.D.
The Differences Between Grief and Depression
Grief and depression share several common features including sadness, changes
in sleep and appetite patterns, and reduced energy. The intense pain of loss
following the death of a loved one feels overwhelming and endless. For instance,
there may be moments we wish we had died and were with our loved one.
Symptoms of grief, however, are often relieved for periods of time through the
presence and support of others, while depression is persistent and prolonged.
The Stages of Grief
In her 1997 book “On Death and Dying,” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross discusses
five stages of grief. People may experience the stages in a different order, and
not everyone goes through each stage.
Denial - It’s not happening.
Anger - Why me? It’s not fair!
Bargaining - I’ll do anything, just make this stop.
Depression - I give up, I can’t go on.
Acceptance - I can face what is coming.
Whatever stage we go through, storytelling can be a catalyst to healing.
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The Power and Practice of Storytelling
For thousands of years, people have used stories for comfort and restoration.
While journeying through the stages of grief, storytelling can provide:
Catharsis. Storytelling can facilitate an intense, much-needed release of
emotions, memories and thoughts.
Control. When tragedy or trauma happens, retelling the story helps us gain
some “mastery” over the event and find a way to accept and integrate it into
our lives.
Support. An audience often responds to the storyteller with compassion,
humor and sharing. Support is one of the most critical elements for healing.
Purpose. After a death, we grapple with the tough question, “Why?” and
reevaluate the meaning and purpose of life. Telling stories provides the
storyteller with a purpose while assuring that the essence of the deceased
continues on.
These methods of storytelling are simple and beneficial, and don’t
involve saying a word.
Write. Journaling thoughts and feelings for 15 minutes a day can aid the
process of letting go. Letters directed to the deceased provide a way to
finish saying what is important.
Read. Literature that captures the grief process may help us feel less
alone. Visit www.goodgriefresources.com for recommended reading.
Create. Preserve the life of the deceased in a scrapbook through
pictures, memorable stories and quotes for following generations.
Draw, build or sing about the person, your pain and your journey. Visit
the Stairways Center for Arts & Humanities, 2810 State Street, Erie,
Pa., to explore a variety of healing art forms at little or no cost.
When Grief Requires Treatment
Grief is a normal human experience frequently handled through interactions
with family and friends, and with faith and time. However, not everyone has a
support system nearby. In this case, grief counseling or support groups can be
invaluable. For a list of available services, call Stairways Behavioral Health at
814-453-5806 or contact a trusted medical professional.
For some, bereavement can trigger a major depression requiring treatment
including professional counseling and a medication evaluation. While
medications are not normally used to treat grief, they may be prescribed
to remedy grief-related ailments such as anxiety or sleep disorders. If you
have health concerns, talk to a doctor today about your symptoms. If you or
someone you know is in crisis, call the Crawford County Crisis Hotline at
814-724-2732 or Erie County Crisis Services at 814-456-2014, 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.
Judy Smith, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and director of the Mercyhurst
College Counseling Center in Erie, Pa.
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21
What’s
in Mental Health News and Issues
Pennsylvania’s Uninsured Population
Exceeds One Million
According to a recent study released by the Pennsylvania Insurance
Department, more than one million Pennsylvanians, or 8.2 percent of the
population, are without health insurance. This includes adults and children in
almost every ethnic group and most geographic areas.
The study reveals that individuals between age 19-44 are most likely to lack
coverage. Of Pennsylvania’s total uninsured population:
• Nearly 18 percent have been without coverage for more
than five years
• 61 percent have not seen a doctor or health care provider for routine care during the last 12 months (compared to 24 percent of
insured Pennsylvanians)
• Only 6 percent have stayed in a hospital overnight during the last 12
months (compared to 11 percent of insured Pennsylvanians)
• About 18 percent have health insurance through a state-sponsored
program.
Uninsured Pennsylvanians do not have to go without health care. Erie and
Crawford County residents can take advantage of free and adjusted rate
services provided by one or more of the quality clinics listed to the right. Statesponsored programs including adultBasic and Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) provide coverage at low cost. For those who do not qualify
for income-based programs, but don’t have access to group health coverage,
insurance providers offer affordable individual and family programs. Search
for a provider in your area at www.insurance.state.pa.us in the “Resources for
Consumers” section.
Source: “More Pennsylvanians are Without Insurance and Health Care, Insurance Department Survey Shows.”
Insurance Department Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, www.insurance.state.pa.us. February, 26, 2009.
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Learn More about Pa.-sponsored Health Insurance Today
Outside of Pennsylvania, contact a local health insurance provider for information
on resources in your area. Questions about joint state and federal programs such as
Medical Assistance/Medicaid can be answered by the Pennsylvania Department of
Public Welfare’s Recipient Hotline at 1-800-692-7462.
adultBasic
Health Insurance for Adult
Pennsylvanians
1-800-GO BASIC
CHIP
Children’s Health Insurance Program
www.chipcoverspakids.com
1-800-986-KIDS
Local Help is Available
Below are just a few of the organizations providing low-cost, quality health care
to Erie and Crawford County residents. Eligibility requirements and services
vary; call for details and to schedule an appointment. If you have an emergency,
please go to the nearest emergency room. If you or someone you know is
in crisis, call the Crawford County Crisis Hotline at 814-724-2732 or Erie
County Crisis Services at 814-456-2014, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Community Health Net, Erie
Dental: 814-454-4028
Medical and Vision: 814-455-7222
Providing exceptional health care to
all, regardless …
Family Services of NW PA, Erie
814-866-4500
Counseling, education and advocacy
for individuals and families
Meadville Area Free Clinic
814-337-7166
Medical services for uninsured adults
St. Paul’s Neighborhood Free Clinic,
Erie
814-454-8755
Free medical and dental care for the
working poor
Stairways Behavioral Health
Counseling Center, Erie
814-452-8913
See ad on page 2
Stairways Behavioral Health
Outpatient Services
Meadville – 814-337-8762
Titusville – 814-827-2790
Assisting all people with mental
health care needs
Titusville Area Hospital Dental
Health Services
814-827-1851
General dentistry services for
patients of all ages
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What’s
continued
GREEN Gardening
for Mental Health
By Steve Heitzenrater
Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the U.S. and using chemicals
in the garden and around the house is common. In fact, many people grab the
spray as soon as they see a bug.
New Mental Health Web Site
Serves Hispanic Americans
The surgeon general reports that fewer than 10 percent of Hispanic
Americans with a mental disorder seek the services of a mental health
specialist. Further limiting their access to care, Latinos constitute the
largest group of uninsured people in the United States.
Because of this dramatic disparity in health care, the Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance launched www.DBSAlianza.org, the Spanishlanguage version of its Web site.
So what’s the big deal with using chemicals? The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency identifies landscape chemical use as a contributor
to neurological conditions, cancer, birth defects and immuno-response
deficiencies, affecting both physical and mental health. These substances also
harm pets, contaminate water supplies and kill wildlife.
There are definitely better options. Keeping plants healthy can be as simple
as putting the right plant in the right place. Pick plants based on local
temperatures and soil conditions and accurately identify how much water, light
and nutrients plants need. Growing a variety of native plants can help reduce the
chance of infestations. Your local garden center can help point you in the right
The site offers critical resources for Spanish-speaking individuals,
including:
• Information on identifying the signs of depression and bipolar
disorder
• Educational brochures in both audio and print format
• Help finding health care professionals, treatment facilities and
support groups
• Recovery tools and tips for living with mood disorders
DBSA’s mission is to improve the lives of people living with mood
disorders. For more information, visit www.DBSAlliance.org or call
1-800-826-3632.
Sources: “Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity. A Supplement to Mental Health: A
Report of the Surgeon General.” 2001. www.surgeongeneral.gov. February 18, 2009.
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direction. You can also pick plants
that attract “beneficial” insects–
non-threatening bugs that prey
on threatening ones – to keep
outbreaks to a minimal. Bachelor’s
buttons, for example, attract
ladybugs which feed on aphids.
Visit www.organicgardening.com
and search “beneficial borders”
for more ideas.
When you do experience a pest
problem – and even expert gardeners
do – organic approaches are both
safe and effective. The best solutions
are a result of accurately identifying
your problem: What do the bugs look like and what damage is evident on your
plants? For a pest and disease guide, visit www.gardensalive.com.
Once you’ve collected the data, commercial bug poison may seem like the best
treatment, but for the sake of your health and the health of your loved ones, try
these natural solutions first.
1. If the problem is small and caught early enough, planting to attract
“beneficial” insects may ward off an infestation. Know the prey of your
insect and plant accordingly from the start.
2. Attract wildlife such as birds, toads and bats that feeds on insects.
3. Hand pick large bugs like tomato horn worms and slugs.
4. Garlic, mint and red pepper are just a few natural products known to
ward off critters from the garden. Get homemade recipes for using these
products in your garden at www.eartheasy.com, keywords: natural pest
control.
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5. Purchase a light horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, or make your
own (see recipes below).
6. Do nothing. Know the pest and its habits; not all insects do
substantial harm to your garden. By sacrificing a little damage
today, you may reap the benefits of better physical and mental
health tomorrow.
A naturalist and avid organic gardener, Steve Heitzenrater gardens with
his wife, Robyn, and their son Andrew, 13. They grow a variety of berries,
vegetables and native flowers at their home in Harborcreek, Pa.
Homemade Insecticidal Soap
2 teaspoons of liquid soap (Ivory, Dawn, etc; do not use laundry
detergent)
1 quart of water
Combine ingredients. Transfer to a clean spray bottle. Spray
infested plants in the morning, including undersides of leaves.
Re-apply after rain, if needed. This spray will also harm beneficial
insects – avoid spraying them if possible.
Homemade Horticultural Oil
1 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon of liquid soap (Ivory, Dawn, etc; do not use laundry
detergent)
1 quart of water
Mix oil and soap. Combine tablespoon of mixture with one quart
of water. Transfer to a clean spray bottle. Spray infested plants in
the morning, including undersides of leaves. Re-apply after rain,
if needed. This spray will also harm beneficial insects – avoid
spraying them if possible.
27
Talk
Talk About It
Trisha Cloyd brings her own experience as a mental health
consumer and family member, as well as her educational
background and professional experience in human services,
to assist others in understanding and dealing with mental
illness. She currently serves as manager of family education
at Stairways Behavioral Health.
Q
A
Q: Last fall, I lost my job after a prolonged bout of depression.
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get my life back together. Do you
have any suggestions on where to start?
what kinds of things you really want to do with your life. Find what you love to
do and you will likely do it well and feel energized from it, instead of drained.
I suggest you start by looking inward for the things you love and begin doing
them, one at a time. You may find that by taking one step at a time along that
path, your life will come together in a new way that brings you joy.
Want to Talk About It with Trisha?
Do you have something you want to talk about confidentially with
Trisha? Send your behavioral health and wellness questions to
[email protected]. Your question, along with Trisha’s
response, may be published anonymously in future issues of UP.
Laugh it up!
A: I am sorry you are having such a difficult time! First, and most
importantly, I hope you are doing the things you can to manage the
depression. If you need assistance with that, please call me at
814-878-2168 and I will help connect you with some of the many
resources available in our community.
That said, putting your life back together after it feels like it has fallen
apart may appear too big a task right now. Sometimes, we can become
overwhelmed when we think about all we have to do to achieve our
goals. Feeling overwhelmed can then take away energy and concentration
needed to start to tackle even one goal. We only need to take one step at a
time. Once we take that first step, the others often seem easier.
You are at a fork in the road. Consider using this time to do some soul
searching to help you find a direction for the next step in your life journey.
The Chinese symbol for “crisis” has two characters: one for danger and
another for opportunity. This difficult time may be a blessing in disguise if
it enables you to learn more about how to keep yourself well and explore
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29
By Jim Renshaw
As a boy, yard work was not my favorite
pastime. I hated it. How things change.
Pepper and Dakota on the
Renshaw homestead.
SeasonsPass
By Mary Therese Goebel
My wife, Pat, and I bought our Fairview
home in 1986. It had a huge yard. That
was good, I was told, since our new home
had to accommodate our daughters’
ponies!
It’s cold outside–
Slowly we began to appreciate and love
working in the yard and the barn. It has
been years since our two girls left home.
The ponies stayed.
when pleasant spring will arrive
We have 60 acres now. Ten are landscaped
with raised shrubbery beds, a pond and new plantings around the house.
Mowing, trimming and ground maintenance take up most of our time. Pat
focuses on the annuals and perennials.
Last season, we planted sweet corn for the Second Harvest Food Bank of
NW PA. It was a disaster. The planter malfunctioned giving us “summer
corn” … some here, some there. Cutworms loped most stalks off at ground
level. Heavy rains drowned rows of seed in what was to be a two-acre plot.
We learned a lot and we’ll be back at it this spring.
This variety of activity gives us a balance that keeps everything fresh and
interesting no matter what our age.
Brrrr!
The air is nipping at my nose–
my toes and fingers are froze–
and, no one knows
like a newborn infant,
to delight the proud parents.
What fragrance abounds
when spring is around.
30
“Wait on Time,” copper etching, by
artist Phyllis Weaver of Erie, Pa.
The tender baby smells fresh and new–
Goo, goo.
It learns to speak,
and loses the inherent weakness
that makes it most precious.
To gain is to lose and
to lose is to gain–
we’re singing’ the blues of life again,
Jim Renshaw is an insurance agent and is associated with The Bert Company in
Erie, Pa. He works a reduced schedule plus volunteers for two favorite charities.
Jim’s wife, Pat, is retired and remains active caring for her home and family, and
traveling with friends.
Image: Stairways Center for Arts & Humanities.
Gardening & Balance
Living Well: my Perspective
as the seasons pass.
When, alas, the child learns to sing,
Mary Therese Goebel has been
involved in the arts community
since she was a child. Today, she
enjoys singing with Stairways’
choral group, Baraka, and loves
springtime when she becomes
inspired by nature’s beauty.
And spring returns.
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32
2185 West 8th Street
Erie, PA 16505
Stairways
behavioral
health
PAID
ERIE, PA
Permit No. 118
Non-Profit Org.
US POSTAGE
We can help.
Visit www.StairwaysBH.org or
call 814-453-5806 to learn how.
Talk About It
One in four adults suffers
from a mental health issue.