Welcoming Winter with Self-Care, Awareness and Inclusion
Cold weather and gray skies, holiday events and celebrations – the winter months can be an emotional time, affecting different people in different ways. While some folks are excited for seasonal activities, others are experiencing sorrow or stress. We asked our Safe Place Team to provide advice and resources to help our community navigate seasonal emotions. Whether you’d like to help a friend in need, or need help yourself, it’s important to practice self-care, awareness and inclusion. Winter Self-Care: Staying Mentally and Physically WellThe winter months can be tough on both mind and body, especially with colder weather and shorter days. This time of year, many people experience the “winter blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), marked by feelings of sadness, low energy, and less motivation. Self-care becomes even more important, and small habits can make a big difference. Try getting as much natural light as possible, staying active, connecting with loved ones, and engaging in activities you enjoy. Practicing gratitude, journaling, or even adding cozy moments to your routine can help keep your spirits up. Self-care isn’t just about pampering; it’s essential for maintaining mental and emotional health. Recognizing When a Friend or Loved One Might Be Struggling (and How You Can Help)When someone close to you is going through a hard time, you might notice small but significant changes in their behavior. They may seem withdrawn, cancel plans more often, or avoid activities they once enjoyed. Physically, someone who is struggling might show signs of neglecting their hygiene or outward appearance. If you’re concerned, reaching out gently can make a difference. Let them know you’re there to listen without judgment and offer your support without pressing for details they may not be ready to share. Encourage them to take small steps toward self-care or talk to a professional if needed. Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can be a huge relief. Honoring Diverse Holiday CelebrationsHolidays mean different things to different people. Not everyone celebrates Christmas, and some may observe other holidays or prefer not to celebrate at all. Acknowledging and respecting these differences helps create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. It’s important to remember that for some, the holidays can be challenging or even stressful, especially if they’re dealing with loss, financial hardship, or cultural differences. Being open to learning about others’ traditions and practices can enrich our relationships and broaden our understanding of the world. If you’re unsure about what someone celebrates, don’t be afraid to ask in a respectful way or keep your seasonal greetings inclusive, such as “Happy Holidays.” Community Resources for Youth in NeedWhen young people need help, several resources are available to support them. Safe Place is a national program that provides immediate help and safety to youth in crisis. Youth can access support by looking for the yellow Safe Place sign at designated locations like fire stations, libraries, and a variety of local businesses. Safe Place connects youth with services and support that best meet their needs. Other helpful resources include: Community Resources for Adults in Need Contribute to Community ImpactClick here to learn more about how you can help amplify the impact of A&C’s mission in the communities we serve.
Parental Mental Health Tips
Across the behavioral health field, we recognize the importance of offering support to caregivers, whether they sought our help on behalf of their children or for themselves. We also know there are many caregivers who don’t walk through our doors who need and deserve help. In August, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents and guardians. “(Caregivers) are navigating traditional hardships of parenting — worrying about money and safety, struggling to get enough sleep — as well as new stressors, including omnipresent screens, a youth mental health crisis and widespread fear about the future,” Dr. Murthy wrote in a New York Times opinion column at the time of the advisory’s release. When caregivers come to us with these concerns, Brightli’s partners help the full families of the clients we serve to thrive. Whether that’s by providing childcare in recovery services inpatient facilities, connecting caregivers of youths in substance use recovery with family support specialists, offering safe and judgment-free group therapy options tailored to caregivers’ issues or through other avenues, we strive to help. Below, you’ll find tips and support opportunities from our behavioral health experts that can help anyone address some of the key issues presented in the surgeon general’s advisory. Ways to build community and address loneliness among caregivers Two-thirds of parents say they don’t talk about their stress for fear of burdening others, according to an American Psychological Association study cited in the advisory. At the same time, parents and guardians – and especially single parents and guardians – experience loneliness at higher rates than other U.S. adults. Loneliness is a challenge many autism caregivers can experience as they address situations that are new to them, said Seth Allen, a leader in Autism Services at Brightli. “It is really important for autism caregivers to get connected with supports for their own well-being and self-confidence,” Allen said. His team works to create support groups among clients and to also point clients to groups in the communities he serves. Intentional connections can benefit any caregiver experiencing loneliness. Here are some ways caregivers can build them: Building your child’s self-worth can help you build your own Keylee Tesar, who helped establish a program that strengthens relationships among foster and adoptive parents and their children, said that empowering children to believe in themselves also helps caregivers nurture their own sense of self-worth. “When we show children love, respect and encouragement, we remind ourselves of our own strength and value,” Tesar said. The program features an element called “character praise,” in which caregivers highlight and celebrate behaviors they see in their children that they want to flourish. Some examples include: Character praise not only enhances positive behaviors in children, but also provides immediate rewards for caregivers by activating the brain’s reward system through the release of dopamine and oxytocin. This practice boosts mood and reinforces positive behavior while fostering connection and well-being for caregivers and children. Practicing character praise with the caregivers in your life can provide similar rewards. As the surgeon general’s advisory reminds us, “Caregivers need care, too.” Practice the six elements of self-care Amy Hill, a leader in youth learning and development, has worked with caregivers for years to address their stress levels and improve mental well-being. She encourages caregivers to practice these six elements of self-care (with examples included): As a whole, Hill said, they can help you practice mindfulness and become more aware of thoughts, feelings and the surrounding environment in the moment. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental focus and boost compassion, among its benefits. It takes a village to care for a child; we want to contribute to yours Our Be Well team offers a monthly Self-Care Challenge, an activity designed to help you improve your mental health through intentional practices. November’s challenge is tailored to caregivers and offers a Bingo card filled with activities that offer caregivers time to take care of themselves so they can continue to best support our youth. They include items like: You can access the full November Self-Care Challenge anytime you need it by clicking this link. And you can keep up with the latest Be Well efforts by bookmarking bewellcommunity.org. It’s OK to seek professional help. Caregivers are doing the best they can with the information, resources and experiences they have had in their lives. Giving parents a safe and judgement-free space to learn, grow and heal benefits them, their children and the community. That space is available in a therapeutic behavioral health setting. If you need help, please reach out to our professional team to learn about the many options we offer. If you need immediate help in a crisis, it is only a call or text away by dialing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line.
Adult & Child Health, Mental Health America of IndianaAdvancing Peer Recovery Efforts Statewide
Integrated healthcare provider Adult & Child Health (A&C), ICAADA, and MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute (MHAI SWD TI) have entered into an Agreement for Educational Partnership to advance the recovery support workforce within the state of Indiana by increasing training opportunities through MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute for Indiana residents to become certified as Certified Peer Recovery Coaches (CPRCs) or Certified Recovery Coaches (CRCs) through ICAADA. This effort is one of the commitments made by A&C as a recipient of the DMHA Workforce Recruitment and Retention Innovation Grant through which A&C was awarded $750,000 in fall of 2023. “This groundbreaking partnership between Adult & Child, ICAADA and MHAI SWD Training Institute shows their passion for increasing the recovery support workforce and, most importantly, increasing accessibility to care across Indiana. By using trusted, and vetted, recovery support training and credentialing organizations, along with a respected recovery support provider such as Adult & Child, we will be able to create a workforce development structure that increases the recovery support workforce while supporting sustainability of the recovery support profession,” said MHAI Vice President of Education and Credentialing Justin Beattey. In January 2023, the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported 9.2 million people aged 12 years or older had misused opioids in 2021, 94 percent of which did not receive any treatment; additionally, adults aged 18 to 25 had the highest rate of mental illness yet the lowest rate of treatment. The need for addictions recovery and mental health services is tremendous and increasing the number of people who are trained and qualified to provide those services through the peer support approach is critical to closing the gap. Additionally, peer support is proven to be an affective form of recovery treatment, resulting in reduced re-hospitalizations, fewer days spent in inpatient care and increased quality of life (Evidence for Peer Support, MHA, 2019). CPRCs provide recovery support and care for individuals who are experiencing challenges with mental health and/or substance use disorders by connecting with others through a direct lived experience of similar challenges. While CRCs do not have direct lived experience, they have often been indirectly affected by addiction or mental illness through a family member or friend. Direct nor indirect experience is a requirement for individuals to become CRCs – many folks in this role simply have a passion for helping those in need. “I am beyond proud and incredibly honored to become an adjunct trainer with MHAI. As an individual living in recovery, there was a time in my life when I was in such a dark, scary and stigmatizing place within my mental health and substance abuse. It is now my passion to provide as much education, resources, and hope to anyone who may need it. This new program not only provides me with another opportunity to do just that, but it also helps to emphasize the importance of peers in behavioral health throughout the state. As a representative of my amazing employer Adult and Child Health and of MHAI, it is my mission to act as a voice for anyone who might not yet have found theirs and to do this to the best of my ability every single day – it is a great honor to be able to do so,” said Matt Bane, A&C, who will be one of two training facilitators. # # # About Adult & Child Health Adult & Child Health, a Joint Commission accredited community mental health center and Federally Qualified Healthcare Center Look Alike (FQHC) in Central Indiana, strives for equitable, caring communities where all people can live healthy, purposeful lives. Services include behavioral health, primary care, social services, and addictions treatment, all of which are designed to provide quick, affordable, and efficient access to high quality care. Adult & Child is an affiliate and member organization of Brightli, a network of health providers across the Midwest. Please visit adultandchild.org for more information. About ICAADA ICAADA, a subsidiary of Mental Health America of Indiana, provides credentialing for behavioral health professionals. ICAADA provides behavioral health professionals with credentials, membership, and advocacy that validate the professionals’ competencies to provide person-focused, evidence-based behavioral health services. About MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute The MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute is our partner in providing quality education for behavioral health professionals and the community. The Training Institute works tirelessly to ensure that the education provided meets the standards and competencies required for aspiring and current behavioral health professionals, to maximize the outcomes for the populations they serve.
A&C Aligns with Leadership Model of Parent Company Brightli
Integrated healthcare provider Adult & Child Health, a Brightli affiliate, has announced the promotions of Dr. Christne Negendank, MD, MBA, CCHP to Indiana Region President and Dr. Jessica Stembel, PsyD, HSPP, IMH-E to Indiana Region Chief Operating Officer. Adult & Child joined Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, and other subsidiaries under the Brightli umbrella in March 2024, boosting the parent organization’s employee count to over 6,000 individuals across seven regions. The promotions of Dr. Negendank and Dr. Stembel align A&C with Brightli’s regional leadership model, which provides operational autonomy for each region to ensure services and operations are meeting the unique needs of the community. As President, Dr. Negendank provides strategic direction and leadership of A&C and the Indiana Region, assisting in the execution of short-term and long-term goals while engaging with community partners and leaders to help drive A&C’s continued success and growth in Central Indiana. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve as President of Adult & Child Health. I look forward to continuing to work with Adult & Child’s dedicated staff who strive daily to provide compassionate and high-quality whole health care. Adult & Child Health is well-positioned to continue its 75-year legacy of excellence and innovation in health care and social services. We look forward to expanding our services and programming through strategic initiatives, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts. Our goal is to not only provide treatment to those in our local communities but also to help advocate for improved health care for all Hoosiers,” said Dr. Negendank. Dr. Negendank recently celebrated seven years of employment at A&C having joined the organization in 2017 as Associate Medical Director of Psychiatry before moving into the role of Chief Medical Officer. During her tenure, Dr. Negendank led the development and implementation of A&C’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for substance use disorders. She has also helped A&C make tremendous strides in integrating primary and psychiatric care by strengthening working relationship among prescribers and fostering collaboration between medical and therapy staff. As Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Stembel oversees the day-to-day operations of A&C and the Indiana Region, facilitating teamwork across the organization’s leaders to ensure effective delivery of top-quality services to Central Indiana communities. “As Chief Operating Officer, I am incredibly excited about A&C’s opportunity to be a leader in the state’s transformation to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, and the evolution of mental health, substance abuse treatment and primary healthcare. Emphasizing community partnerships through CCBHC is not just a strategic interchange but a commitment to holistic care. Together, we can foster a system of care where our Hoosiers and communities can thrive,” said Dr. Stembel. Dr. Stembel joined A&C in 2015 as a clinical psychologist providing oversight to multiple service lines and treatment teams while continuing direct clinical care. Since 2018 she has served A&C as Chief Clinical Officer, overseeing continuous quality improvement, behavioral health, primary care accreditation and corporate compliance. During her tenure, Dr. Stembel led the development of the Response and Resilience in Stressful Events team to respond to critical incidents both internally and within the community and organized the agency’s response during the COVID public health emergency. She has also increased A&C’s 340B Drug Discount Program revenue to 12 million dollars, enabling the organization to stretch scarce federal resources to provide comprehensive and integrated health services to eligible patients who may not otherwise receive care. “Dr. Negendank and Dr. Stembel’s exceptional leadership, combined with their deep industry knowledge, will be instrumental in driving our organization’s ability to serve our mission and the Indianapolis community. Their contributions are invaluable, and I am confident in their ability to lead our teams toward increased access to the quality care our communities deserve,” said A&C and Brightli CEO C.J. Davis.
