Blog

National Case Management Week is Oct. 10 to 16. This week is an opportunity to recognize the dedication, compassion and quality of client care outcomes achieved by case managers across the health care continuum. The benefits of receiving case management are numerous including, but not limited to, individualized needs assessments, care coordination, client education, problem-solving skills, case monitoring, resource linkage and management, advocacy, and discharge planning.

If you are in a circumstance in which you are being abused and anyway physically, emotionally, verbally, or sexually reach out for help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233. Visit www.safehavenofashland.org for more information about Ashland County domestic violence resources. 

Appleseed is distributing a community survey to gain information about community perception about youth co-occurring disorder while collecting valuable input on service needs in Ashland County. To participate in Appleseed’s Youth Co-Occurring Disorder Survey, please go to https://forms.gle/YpxapNEtFoKC7X9G7. The survey will close on October 31, 2021.

The delta variant, vaccine mandates, and other news is creating a heightened sense of anxiety for all of us. One way to reduce anxiety is to engage your hobbies and interests. In tense times, it’s important to double down on the hobbies and interests that nourish your spirit. Often, it’s these things that define us as individuals and bring meaning to our lives. Whether it’s playing a sport, caring for a pet, an artistic or musical endeavor, home improvement projects, or spending time in nature, make sure you are engaging in these essential activities as it strengthens your ability to cope with the stress of difficult times.

Recovery is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Often underneath an addiction is the experience of childhood trauma in the form of abuse, neglect, loss, or lack of a stable home life. People use substances to cover up the pain that results from the memories. If you are experiencing an addiction to drugs or alcohol please reach out for help.  Healing is absolutely possible and there are caring people ready to help you on that journey.

Governor DeWine has declared August 31 Overdose Awareness Day. If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs of any kind, you already know that recovery is going to require change. You may fear both the physical and emotional withdrawal you'll experience from not having the substance... Recovery is within your reach. There are amazing medical and behavioral health supports in our area that will help you be successful. The first step is to talk  to a safe and trusted support person, and tell them you need help. Take that first step and you'll find there are caring people who will go the rest of the journey with you.

This school year is starting off with more COVID challenges. There are a couple things we, as parents, need to keep in mind to help ourselves manage the stress and not pass our anxiety on to our kids. The first-to remember is, modeling is the greatest form of teaching... so ANXIOUS PARENTS MAKE ANXIOUS KIDS. This leads to my second point... parents, you need to practice your own mental-health-self-care. Take time every day to talk to your closest friends, read, exercise, or engage in your favorite hobby. By recharging your battery you’ll be able to share your calm with your children.

The 21-22 school year is beginning. This can be a time of anxiety and fear for many. Starting a new grade or at a new school brings many uncertainties. Uncertainty is a part of life. Rather than fear new experiences, learn to manage your anxious thoughts.  Practice expressing your fears out loud or on paper. Journal, write letters, or share your feelings and frustrations with people you trust.  Find new and positive ways to look at the changes ahead. You will get through this and be a stronger, wiser person on the other side. 

 It's important for parents to know that helping your children grow up emotionally-healthy does not require an advanced degree. Parents or caregivers: you have all you need to help your kids grow up emotionally resilient. Giving them structure, encouragement, pointing out their strengths, and openly showing them your unconditional love will go far in them becoming healthy-mature adults. If you're struggling as a parent, don't be afraid to ask for help. Programs like Appleseed’s SPARK program or your local Help-Me-Grow program are designed to help you be successful. 

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The American Counseling Association writes: Minority Mental Health Month is a nationwide effort developed by Mental Health America to “shed light on the multitude of mental health experiences within Black, Indigenous, People of Color and others that face disproportionate inequities due to systemic barriers and historical adversity.” Marginalized, oppressed, and disenfranchised people have unique concerns, trauma, stress, obstacles, and challenges because of historical experiences, cultural differences, and social disparities.

What is forgiveness? According to the Mayo Clinic forgiveness involves “a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.”  It is not forgetting the act that hurt you. However, forgiving can lessen the offense’s hold on you and take away the remaining control the person who hurt you has on you.

Appleseed earned the 2021 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, a service of Candid. By sharing metrics that highlight the progress that Appleseed is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios.