Peerstar, LLC
October 2016
A chill in the air...
Some of us take this opportunity to catch up on the shows that we have captured throughout the summer on our DVR, and others will take the chance to hide from the world for the next few months. Which ever you choose, there are ways to prepare for the time change and the all-too-often change in mood that comes along with it.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a true diagnosis, if you would like to learn more, click here. But even those who have not been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder can still feel the change that the loss of daylight brings. But you still have time before the dreaded time change to prepare some strategies to combat the darkness and cold that the change will bring.
- Take a Sunshine Break every chance you can! It doesn't have to be above 70 degrees outside to enjoy the heat of the sun! On a sunny day, sit yourself in front of a window and let the sun's rays work their magic. You can still enjoy the heat of the indoors while increasing your Vitamin D :)
- Exercise! Even if you can't make it to the gym, take a few laps up and down a flight of steps, do 10 squats or jumping jacks every hour, walk through the local mall, or put in an exercise video! Exercise is good for your heart and your soul!
- Change your light bulbs! Special light bulbs are available that give off a brighter light. By changing your light bulbs and turning them on by 7:00 am, you can "trick" your body into thinking the day has begun!
- Watch what you eat! When it's cold outside, we seem to reach for comfort foods! Foods high in carbohydrates that drag our bodies down! By mindful of what you are eating, and try to stick to a healthier, summer inspired plate!
These are just a few ideas you can find when learning more about Seasonal Affective Disorder! You can learn more by visiting these articles:
9 Ways to Cope With Seasonal Affective DIsorder
The DuBois Office Has Moved!
The DuBois Office has recently moved. For those of you that are unaware, the office has moved from 498 Jeffers Street to 476 A Jeffers Street! The office has only changed buildings and can be found directly behind our previous location. Access is at the side of the building and you are able to park on either side of the building. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Seaman.
7th Annual Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk
4th Annual Walk for a Wonderful LIfe
Updates from Region C: Centre, Huntingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata Counties
Here is a list of upcoming events in Region C:
- Adult Mental Health First Aid Training (See flyer below) conducted by Heather Moran and Jessica Peacock and sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on October 25th from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm at Community Care Behavioral Health in State College. Cost: $15
- Centre County Community Support Program (CSP) meets every second Thursday of the month from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Opportunity Centre Clubhouse 2603 E. College Avenue, State College, PA. Next meeting is Thursday, October 13th. The group is always welcoming new members!
- Community Care Adult Member Advisory Meetings : November 2nd at Juniata County Friendship Club: 5530 William Penn Hwy, Mifflintown, PA
- The Huntingdon, MIfflin, Juniata County Healing Connections Suicide Preventions Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. You can attend the meeting at either JC Blair Education Building in Huntingdon or by phone at 1-888-744-8762, using access code: 2788100. Dates for meetings are as follows: November 8th and December 13th
Reflections from the 30th Annual ALTERNATIVES Conference in San Diego, CA
My name is James P. Collins and I began working as a CPS in Delaware County with Peerstar, LLC in March of 2015. I recently had the privilege of attending the Alternatives conference which was held from September 19th through the 23rd in San Diego and I have grown so much as a result of this positive experience.
Each morning started with a presentation of the history of Alternatives, "looking back and forward, unifying for change and setting the record straight". These presentations were open to all attending the conference while breakfast was being served, as attendees were able to socialize with CPS's from all around the world. At the Conclusion of each days Morning Plenary on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we were free to choose which workshops we wanted to attend throughout the day. Each workshop was specific to a different topic designed to support the CPS with improving their unique abilities as they supported peers when they returned back home.
I attended 7 workshops in total: Creating and Imprint, Incorporating Spiritual Practices Into a Wellness Plan, Peer Career Development, When Conversations Turn to Suicide, Healing Ourselves through Holistic Stress Management, Military Culture and the Peer Support Specialist, and Successful Families Can and Do Look Different. The biggest thing I took from my time at this conference was an understanding that people all around the world are actively towards helping a population of society that has been shunned by the general public. Not everybody is moving in the same direction with supporting, advocating or treating citizens with mental health needs, however attending this 2016 Alternatives conference has opened my eyes to the scale of mental health services worldwide.
I also recognized the need to continue maintaining my personal wellness, as well as that of my family. In listening to the many presenters I recognized that at times I was placing the needs of the peers with whom I was working with in front of myself and my children. With honest reflections I was able to see where I needed to re-direct my focus while networking with other CPS's throughout the world. I was able to relax and re-energize my batteries before returning home to continue my own recovery process for both mental health and addiction to substances, with a greater understanding of supporting the peers with whom I am working with both professionally and effectively. I personally recommend to all CPS's who have the opportunity to attend conferences such as ALTERNATIVES or INAPs to do so. I was able to attend INAPs in Philadelphia and ALTERNATIVES in San Diego both within weeks of each other. As a result, I have a renewed dedication towards my focus, my training, and my personal wellness.
Thank you,
James P. Collins
CPS/VPS/FPS
The University of Scranton Fall Career Expo
Peerstar Recovery Advisory Board
The Advisory Board just met the last week in September and identified numerous events coming up. You can see many of those events listed below!
Grief Share: Blair County Grief Recovery Support Group
GriefShare is a special weekly seminar/support group for people grieving the passing of someone close. It's a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss.
At GriefShare, you'll learn valuable information, based on Biblical principles, which will help you through this difficult time in your life. GriefShare group meets for 11 weeks on Monday @ 6:30 p.m. (beginning October 10, 2016) at The Good Funeral Home, Inc. (**If the funeral home is being used for services, we will display a sign at the parking lot entrance guiding people to the Alto-Reste Park Cemetery Chapel.)
Each session lasts approximately two hours and is followed by refreshments. Participants will be given a workbook, which is theirs to keep, to enable them to see progress.
Each session includes a DVD presentation and small group discussion. There are no exams and no one is forced to speak. The purpose of GriefShare is to help participants deal with their own grief in a supportive environment. Call Sue @ 942-3545 for more information and to register for the GriefShare group. We want to be sure to have workbooks for every participant. Please feel free to bring a friend for support.
Alto-Reste Park; The Good Funeral Home, Inc
Monday, Oct 10, 2016, 06:30 PM
Alto-Reste Park, Altoona, PA, United States
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Website: www.peerstarllc.com
Location: 2900 Plank Road, Suite 8, Altoona, PA 16601
Phone: (814) 515-2699
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Peerstar.LLC.Peer.Support.Services/