Phoenix Programs, Inc. » General

What are YOUR strategies for “De-stressing” During the Holidays?

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:03:04 +0000

Recently at an education group at Phoenix Programs individuals seeking long term recovery took time to think about situations that might occur during the coming holidays that could TEAR at their recovery (Traditions, Expectations, Attitudes, Routines).

Here you see a photo of the list generated by the group.

Many reported the holidays were a source of stress for them for reasons unique to recovery. Some of those challenges were lack of support for recovery, expectations to use or drink with friends or family, questions about how to celebrate without using, and having to choose between attending support group meetings or family gatherings.

Most of the stressors the participants named were challenging holiday situations faced by most individuals and families—in recovery or not: being around family members you might not enjoy, unrealistic expectations around the holidays, overspending, overeating, lack of sleep, grief, loneliness, and isolation.

The group members discussed coping skills, strategies for moving forward in their recoveries and focused on anticipating how to stay “safe” if they found themselves wanting to use or drink. Group participants spent time listing self-care routines that could be essential but are often neglected during the holidays. This can add to our levels of stress. These routines included adequate sleep, exercise, nutritious food, staying hydrated, attending support meetings, doing volunteer work and choosing positive family/friends with whom you want to spend time.

You don’t have to be in recovery for a substance use situation for the holidays to be stressful—we all can use positive strategies for coping.

What are YOUR strategies for staying on track in your life during the holidays?

Please share with the Phoenix community—we’d like to compile a list.

Phoenix Programs Attends Grant Writing Workshop

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:10:41 +0000

November 16, 2010 Rhiannon Pearson, Bea Stricker and Jarin Wood attended a grant writing workshop presented by Development Systems, Inc. As Phoenix Programs continues to diversify and apply for new sources of funding, this interactive workshop included the following objectives:

·         Requirements for a federal grant application
·         Creating goals and objectives
·         Development of logic models
·         Development of project budgets
·         Funding sustainability

This workshop enhances the strength and skill set our staff can offer as applications and proposals are developed.

Radio Friends with Paul Pepper – Great American Smokeout 2010

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 19:46:57 +0000

Paul talks with Heather Harlan, CRPS at Phoenix Programs, Inc., about making the decision to quit smoking. click here to listen…..

Phoenix Programs Joins The American Cancer Society in the 35th Great American Smokeout!

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:32:27 +0000

On Thursday, November 18 Phoenix Programs is encouraging smokers to
·         use the date to make a plan to quit
·         give up smoking for 1 day in observance of this day
·         work on a plan to quit
·         sign up for Freedom From Smoking which starts Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 5:30pm
·         find a friend who has been thinking of quitting and work together to plan or attend a class

Here’s an easy step you can take on November 18, 2010 to a new life living tobacco free–

Call 573-777-3007
Talk with or leave a message for Julie Sears about the next class Freedom From Smoking at the Missouri United Methodist Church, Wednesday January 12, 2011 at 5:30-6:30pm (FREE)!!! The Quit date is not until February 2!

Phoenix Programs, Inc. offers treatment for tobacco as a routine part of our services to individuals seeking long term recovery from substance use disorders. Participation in tobacco treatment efforts while engaged in other substance abuse treatment has been associated with a 25% greater likelihood of long-term abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.

Other FREE Resources for Tobacco Recovery:
Columbia Health Department. Contact: Carolyn Davidson 573-874-7356, counseling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Patches
Missouri Tobacco Quit-line (1-800-784-8669) offers 4 weeks NRT patches and counseling
The American Lung Help Line: 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) offers counseling
Nicotine Anonymous Tuesday 6 PM at the Columbia Boone County Health Dept. West Blvd. & Worley Contact: Jim: 573-445-6166 for locations
www.ffsonline.org Online Quit Smoking class
www.becomeanex.org Online support program and community with others in tobacco recovery and their stories
www.smokefree.gov information on quitting

http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index

Phoenix Programs At NAMI State Conference

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:31:22 +0000

November 4 and 5 Heather Harlan attended and represented PPI at the State NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Conference in Lake Ozark, MO. Heather is pictured here with Cindi Keele, Executive Director of NAMI Missouri.

From its inception in 1979, NAMI has been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. For three decades, NAMI has established itself as the most formidable grassroots mental health advocacy organization in the country. Dedication, steadfast commitment and unceasing belief in NAMI’s mission by grassroots advocates have produced profound changes. NAMI’s greatest strength is the dedication of our grassroots leaders and members. We are the families, friends and individuals that serve to strengthen communities across the country. (http://www.nami.org)

Are You Ready to Quit Smoking?

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:05:07 +0000

We can help!

Free Quit Smoking Class

Monday November 8, 2010 at Missouri United Methodist Church (9th & Elm)

5:30—6:30 pm, Room CLC 108

The Class is “FREE OF CHARGE”

Freedom From Smoking is an 8 session program that is designed to help YOU quit smoking. It is a positive program with great results. Quit Day is the 4th session of class or November 29 and the follow up class is Wednesday December 1, session 5. The class is 7 weeks and ends on December 20, 2010.

Program includes all materials and workbooks, NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY PRODUCTS, REIMBURSED PRESCRIPTIONS and incentives such as a Gift Card towards an ARC MEMBERSHIP OR a GIFT CARD for GYM SHOES at the Shoe Department with successful completion of the program. Some meals will be provided. (Make 7/8 Sessions and be tobacco free for successful completion)

Contact Julie Sears with any questions and to register.

(573) 777-3007 or jsears@phoenixprogramsinc.org

Phoenix Extends a Special Thanks to our Entertainers and Sponsors

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:00:31 +0000

Phoenix Programs would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who made our Phoenix Fringe fundraiser a success!
Noah Earle

“When Earle picks up a guitar,… he reveals a talent that is light years from average. The singer-songwriter has established a healthy following both at home and across the country on the strength of three well-received records. His most recent, “This is the Jubilee,” was released this spring; the record beautifully grafts sounds Earle has long known and loved, Spanish music and more driving rock sounds among them, into his well-established Americana family tree.” Aarik Danielsen, The Columbia Tribune

Milbre Burch

“An award-winning, internationally known performer and recording artist,a published poet and author, and a teacher of her craft, Milbre Burch is a storyteller in every sense of the word. She is one of the preeminent interpreters of the stories of Jane Yolen as well as a teller of global folktales and original material. Born in Atlanta, GA, she left her native south to spend nearly a decade in Providence, RI, and then another decade in Pasadena, CA. She returned to the Southeast to live in July of 1999, before settling in the Midwest in 2003.”

Ruth Acuff

“What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” This is one of the questions that singer songwriter Ruth Acuff sings out in her timeless golden voice. Ruth has been singing all her life and started playing the guitar at 16. By the time she was 17 she had begun writing original songs. Because she has a wide variety of rock, acoustic, folk, funk and jazz incorporated in her originals, Ruth easily sets the mood for any occasion. Although she is only a petite 5’2, Ruth’s charming stage presence and powerful voice make her an instant attention catcher.

Rob Harrison

Rob Harrison and the theaterical group Actors of Faith portrayed a young woman in recovery facing up to the consequences of her actions.

Heather Harlan

Heather Harlan is someone the Springfield First Night program describes as “turning ordinary moments into extraordinary fun.” A professional storyteller and songwriter, she spins traditional folk tales from around the world and blends them with her own whimsical style of original stories, sings and guitar playing. Animation, warmth and audience participation hallmark her performances. The entire audience might supply sound effects for the original tale of “The Pizza Feasta” or a “balloon band” for the frolicking song “I Want More Balloons.” She invites listeners to sing along with her other light-hearted tunes such as “Pass the Ketchup,” or “You Can’t Go Back and Unscramble the Egg.”

Jim Brockman

And Phoenix’ own Jim Brockman, who is a gifted jazz pianist, as well as a much loved and well-respected counselor at Phoenix Programs.

Food generously provided by;

Walmart

Papa Johns

Jimmy Johns

Quiznos

Honey Baked Ham

HyVee

Culligan Water

McDonald’s

Mosers

Facing the Facts: Dave Helling

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:20:11 +0000

By Darren Orf, VOX Magazine online
October 21, 2010 | 12:00 a.m. CST

David Helling doesn’t take anything for granted, especially socks. In January 1998, Helling finished his five-year prison sentence for DWI charges and was left with a shirt, a pair of underwear and one pair of socks. Within 12 years, he received a master’s degree in social work, became a director of a therapeutic community and an adjunct instructor at Columbia College and has two full, color-coded drawers of socks.

He gives hope to many in his community by working with Phoenix Programs Inc., a local recovery clinic that serves 1,500 to 2,000 clients annually. Helling is a board member for the Missouri Recovery Network and is also on the transformation committee for the Missouri Department of Mental Health in Jefferson City. He directs several housing programs and helps residents improve their mental health, get jobs and become reunited with their families. At Columbia College, Helling teaches about topics such as social services, substance abuse, case management and how to work with families.

Thinking Out Loud with Darren Hellwege

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:56:28 +0000

Heather Harlan talks with Darren about the upcoming Phoenix Fringe!…. an “off-Broadway” fundraiser on Thursday, October 21st…..

Thinking Out Loud with Darren Hellwege

Mental health workers make plea for funds

Phoenix Programs, Inc. — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:00:13 +0000

By Jodie Jackson Jr. of The Columbia Daily Tribune, Columbia, MO
Tuesday, October 12, 2010

One by one, mental health advocates told state legislative candidates Monday night that it is less expensive to remove barriers to mental health care than to wait for a situation to become a crisis.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Columbia hosted the listening forum at the Unity Center. Candidates from the Ninth, 21st, 23rd, 24th and 25th House Districts were invited to hear mental health professionals and advocates discuss issues affecting Mid-Missouri.

Heather Harlan, family support group facilitator for NAMI of Columbia, said the format of the evening session was “a dream come true — candidates in a room listening,” rather than thinking about what they are going to say.

“Far more expensive to society is not treating mental illness,” said Lou Ann Tanner-Jones, a psychologist for Columbia Public Schools. She said as many as 3,400 students every day face “significant barriers to learning because of mental health concerns.”

“These kids sit in the classroom every day, but they’re not really there,” Tanner-Jones said, noting that because of state cuts to public mental health services, the school is the only source of intervention for many students.

Beth Geden, nurse practitioner at the Family Health Center, said mental health problems are devastating for victims and the problems are compounded by poverty. The cost of medication to treat schizophrenia, for instance, runs from $375 to $500 per month, she said.

Undiagnosed and untreated mental illness keeps those who are ill from contributing to society and caring for their families, Geden said.

“If there were more resources, you’d have many, many more productive people in this community,” she said.

Deborah Beste, executive director of Phoenix Programs in Columbia, said state funding and health insurance programs are guilty of acting “as if mental health treatment can be optional.”

Beste said six months of intervention — including detoxification and treatment for substance abuse issues that often accompany mental illness — costs around $5,000, while six months of incarceration in jail or prison costs at least $8,000.

Capt. Dianne Bernhard, who heads the Crisis Intervention Team for the Columbia Police Department, said she often goes into people’s homes “at the worst part of their lives,” when instead those dealing with a mental health crisis should be able to turn to the medical community.

“We’re at a crisis level,” Bernhard said. She said lack of access to treatment and the different rules insurance companies apply to mental illness are “sometimes inhumane to people living in our community.”

She encouraged legislative candidates not to see mental illness as “a line item on a budget.”

Republican Paul Szopa, a political newcomer trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Stephen Webber for the 23rd District House seat, said the forum was eye-opening.

“For me, it was just a little bit overwhelming,” Szopa said. “I certainly see the need for funding and additional people.”

Democrat Kelly Schultz, running against former state Sen. John Cauthorn to represent the 21st House District, said she has testified twice on behalf of mental health bills and has seen firsthand the effect of mental illness. She and her husband have had 13 foster children.

“Every single one of my kids has been impacted by either substance abuse or mental illness in their homes,” Schultz said.

More Democrats than Republicans last night suggested an increase in the state tax on cigarettes could be one way to increase funding for mental health services.

Reach Jodie Jackson Jr. at 573-815-1713 or e-mail jjackson@columbiatribune.com.

This article was published on page A14 of the Tuesday, October 12, 2010 edition of The Columbia Daily Tribune with the headline “Mental health pros plead for fundsHouse hopefuls hear arguments for more help..”