Newsletter
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TRAVERSE HOUSE
The VOICES…
WHERE MEMBERS HELP MEMBERS

Mondays 8:00am-6:30pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays 8:00am-5:00pm
Thursdays 8:00am-8:00pm
Saturdays 10:00am-1:00pm
Holidays 10:00am-2:00pm

JANUARY 2004



 HAPPY NEW YEAR 

2004



 HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

1. Rob R. 24. Carolyn W.
4. Joy D. 25. Larry R.
8. Josh C. 27. Wayne E.
12 Mike R. 29. Laura R.
13 Darrel H. 30. Gaea C., Bernie D. & Paula
14. Steven S. & Sandy E. 31. Rick S.
15. Irene V.
16. Roger S.
19. Peter H. & Karen W.
21. Cynthia O. & Don W.
22. Josh T.

Social Recreation News!
A new Social Recreation committee has been formed. They meet Mondays at 3pm. Please join them as they determine what will be scheduled for fun in the “after hours” at the Traverse House. Please see Wayne for details.





We would like to share an article with you that will be published in a couple local newspaper inserts regarding Community Mental Health programs:

The Traverse House Community Resource Room

As an active member of a Psycho-social Clubhouse I would like to share some information with you about a program that I put together for the Traverse House and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health (Traverse City). This program is called the Community Resource Room. My case manager, Ann, introduced the concept of creating a Community Resource Room to me. However, Ann knew she couldn’t do it alone and asked for my assistance.
Over the past 15 years I have needed assistance in various aspects of my life. Because of this I have learned a great deal about our community and the resources available. I have gained experience with these services and believe I can help other members benefit from these resources. In creating this Resource Room I am able to assist consumers and members access the services. Some examples of these resources include Social Security Administration, Family Independence Agency, area shelters and housing, budgeting, community meals and food pantries, crisis planing and what to expect during a crisis. When consumers are not sure where to start the Resource Room is a place that they can go for information. The information will help consumers to put together a plan in order to meet their personal goals. This plan is called a Personal Center Plan, with this consumer and their case manger can work side by side to achieve their goals. The Resource Room also provides information on various health issues such as diabetes, depression and other mental health issues.
The resource room is available to agency consumers and staff during Clubhouse hours.

-Karen Wanstead Member of Traverse House (1 1/2 years)









Twelve Aspects of Coping For With Schizophrenia…
By Frederick J. Frese
Innovations & Research ‘93 Vol. 2 #3

Installment # 7

Expressed Emotion (EE)

The EE concept was developed by George Brown and his associates in the Institute of Psychiatry in London in the 1950’s (Brown, Carstairs, & Topping, 1958). Brown’s studies focused on the relation between family variables & the likelihood of relapse on the part of persons with schizophrenia who had recently been released from the hospital. Those investigators found that patients who went to live with family members who were highly emotionally involved were more likely to relapse that those patients who went to families who were less “hostile,” or who exhibited less “expressed emotion.” Furthermore, the relationship between emotional involvement and relapse was not related to the severity of symptoms at the time of discharge.

High EE was defined as involving three (3) factors. These are from the Camberwell Family Interview (Brown & Rutter, 1966)

1.) Statements of resentment, disapproval, or dislike & any comments expressed with critical
Intonation that is, a critical tone, pitch or rhythm, or intensity in their voice
2.) Hostile remarks indicating personal criticism
3.) Emotional overinvolvement, constant worrying about minor issues, overprotective attitudes intrusive behavior

Additionally, warmth, expressed in terms of positive comments and voice tone, appeared to be added protection for persons discharged to low-EE environments and dissatisfaction, even when not expressed in a critical or hostile manner, appeared to increase relapse risk in high-EE households.

It is my experience that those of use with schizophrenia are indeed very sensitive to hostile criticism and other forms of expressed emotion. But it id not only in the family context. Whenever persons with schizophrenia encounter criticism, insults, or other forms of psychological oppression, we tend to be damaged in a manner that increases the likelihood of our relapsing into psychosis. This vulnerability tends to be part of the disorder. Those who have this disorder need to know they are vulnerable in this manner. Other persons who come into frequent contact with the mentally ill also need to know that we are particularly sensitive in this regard.

As with those in the AA organization, those of us with schizophrenia need to avoid the persons, places, and things where we are likely to encounter expressed emotion. But, of course, we will not always be able to avoid such circumstances. For those times when we are going to encounter hostile criticism, etc., I recommend that we be prepared to protect ourselves by developing a mechanism for communicating to others something about the nature of our disability. Some years ago I developed a card which I carry in my wallet. When I find myself being faced with unfair criticism I will present the person doing the criticizing with my card, which has these words on it:

“Excuse me. I need to tell you that I am a person suffering from a mental disorder. When I am berated, belittled, insulted or otherwise treated in an oppressive manner I tend to become emotionally ill. Could I ask that you restate your concern in a manner that does not tend to disable me? Thank you for your consideration.”

While I don’t use this card frequently, I do find it gives me assurance to have it with me.






Alcoholics Anonymous Exercise/Weight Group
Wednesdays & Thursdays Tuesdays
2:00-3:00 1:30-2:30
Jim B. & Mary Pam Nancy H.

Life Skills Training Nails
Mondays Tuesdays
1:00-2:00 1:30-2:30
Pat H. & Duane F. Irene

Painting Schizophrenics Anonymous
Every other Tuesdays Fridays
1:00-3:00 1:00-2:00
Tom Heather K.

Sewing Stop Smoking
Fridays Thursdays
2:00-3:00 2:00-3:00
Nancy H. Tamra

Person Centered Planning Grief Support Group
Tuesdays Tuesdays
1:00-3:00 10:00am-11:30am
Leslie S.-S. Senior Center
801 E Front Street, Traverse City 231.922.4911



Bird Food Pellets
Cockatile food
New Package, never opened
Call 922-2062 if you would like it.



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Don’t forget to sign up for a unit and to keep your eye out on the job board for job opportunities both at Traverse House and for paid jobs!

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Health and Healing Ministries…
For 1.) Parish nurse ministry, 2.) Grief and loss counseling and support group, 3.) Befriender ministry and national care giver training program, 4.) Hospitality ministry, 5.) Individual clinical counseling and consultation services OR 6.) One of the following educational programs: a) Yoga, b) Dream sessions and c) craniosacral therapy sessions call Augusta Stratz, MSW, CSW, RSM, Director at 231.258.5228 from the Health and Healing Ministries. Their address is 404 Birch Street/PO Box 113/Kalkaska, MI 49646








MEDICARE LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW

On Dec. 8, 2003 Pres. Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. This landmark legislation provides seniors and people with disabilities with a prescription drug benefit, more choices and better benefits under Medicare. Anyone interested in getting more information can call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website at http://www.csm.hhs.gov/medicarereform/

SOMETHING IS MISSING FROM GOVERNMENT CHECKS

If you get Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or any other paper checks printed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, you will find something different about them this January. To protect your privacy, the Treasury Department will remove Social Security numbers from all federal government checks starting January 1, 2004. Of course you can also protect your privacy and guard against theft if you simply sign up for direct deposit. Direct deposit is the safest and most reliable way to receive payment. Find out more by visiting the link below:
Http://www.socialsecurity.gov/deposit/index.htm





Wall of Inspiration.
Heather K. suggested to Heather Flannery that we have a Wall of Inspiration. You may ask what that is. Well, the Wall of Inspiration would be a designated spot on the wall where people can hang up their success stories in coping with a mental illness. This Wall of Inspiration would serve as an inspiration to the members of Traverse House in their recovery. Then Heather Flannery suggested we take it a step further and put some stories on the Traverse House website! The planning is in its early stages, so please see either Heather K. or Heather Flannery if you have any suggestions or questions in regards to this potentially rewarding project. Also, if you would like your story published in this newsletter, please put it in the Newsletter Submission box!


LINKS
www.ffsonline.org
(Freedom from Smoking)

www.aapx.net/aa
(Alcoholics Anonymous)

www.sanonymous.org
(Schizophrenics Anonymous)

www.TraverseHouse.com
(Traverse House’s Website)































Jill S., member of Traverse House, recently passed away. There will be a memorial service for her on Thursday, January 15, 2004 from 11am-1pm. There will be Pastor Bonnie Smith will lead the service along with a pianist.
Here is a poem written by a member as a tribute to Jill:

Jill

When I first met Jill on the bus she said I don’t want to talk to you right now I’m tired!
Though somewhat blunt later there would be numerous things about her I admired.
Soon after that we were well on the road to becoming friends.
All was forgotten and we made amends.
Jill in my opinion was the epitome of what a caring person was all about.
If I needed a favor or someone to talk to she would do it without a doubt.
A great relationship with God and spreading his word was the biggest way Jill showed she cared.
I know Jill is in heaven and lots of friends and family know that’s exactly the way she fared.
Jill asked me to go to church one day.
She ended up backing out on me and for what reason its hard to say.
I had the pleasure and privilege of several times hugging Jill.
To some perhaps it was just another hug but to me it was a big thrill.
My biggest regret about the whole situation is that it happened so fast.
I felt that I took Jill for granted and wished like heck she would have told me about the illness before she passed
Finally, You may ask what about Jill I liked most?
It was her happy-Go-luckyness , her innocence, and the way a friendship with her just seemed to coast.