Reclaiming Lives Issue 16

ISSUE SIX TEEN | CENTERSTONE.ORG

A PUBL IC AT ION OF CEN T ER S TONE

Courage Beyond the Battlefield Meet

Ray Moser

Health Home Accreditation | Combating PTSD | Reclaiming Lives Luncheon

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Cover Feature 2 Courage Beyond the Battlefield Meet Ray Moser

Health and Wellness 7 Combating PTSD 8 Physician Spotlight: Jessica Douglas, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

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9 Program Spotlight: Supportive Services for Veteran Families 10 Centerstone Receives Health Home Accreditation 11 Relationship Success: Cruising through Conflict In the Community 12 Philanthropy in Action 14 News and Notes 16 Reclaiming Lives Luncheon Features Best-Selling Author Glennon Doyle Melton

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Editor in Chief Robert N. Vero, EdD Managing Editor David Schrader

Contributing Editors Karen H. Rhea, MD Ramona Rhodes Natalie Stone Ian Skotte Contributing Writers Jeney Slusser Susan Gillpatrick Angela Suico

Graphic Design Michael Rivera Centerstone of Tennessee Board of Directors Mark Faulkner, Chair R. Parker Griffith, Vice Chair Albert Menefee III, Secretary Janet Ayers, Immediate Past Chair Kelly Crockett Crook Father Fred Dettwiller Dr. Vincent W. Durnan, Jr. Dana Oman Dr. Carmen Reagan Steve Saliba Joan Sivley Sperry Bell Stadler Jim Sweeten Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate Dr. Robert N. Vero, CEO

From the Editor in Chief Thank you for picking up the latest copy of Centerstone’s “Reclaiming Lives” magazine. I’ve mentioned before our increasing focus on the connections between mental and physical wellbeing.

In addition to offering a full range of mental health and addiction disorder services, we now have integrated behavioral health and primary care services at locations in Nashville, Antioch, Madison and Clarksville.

In this issue (on p. 10) we are pleased to announce that our integrated care program has received full Health Home accreditation for adults, children and adolescents from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International. It’s another exciting step forward in our efforts to help patients experience faster, more definitive health improvements in mind and body.

You’ll also notice an emphasis throughout these pages on Centerstone Military Services. We’re honored to be serving the men and women who bravely serve our country. The story of Spc. Ray Moser, featured on the cover, shows his courage on and off the battlefield. Indeed—just as a soldier must have help from fellow soldiers in a war zone—it is honorable to ask for help with any matter that threatens the quality of your life or challenges your personal freedom.

ABOUT CENTERSTONE Centerstone, a not-for-profit organization, is one of the nation’s largest providers of behavioral healthcare. Focused on whole-person health, it offers a full range of mental health, addiction disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities services and integrated primary care to meet the needs of the 117,000 children, teens, adults and families it serves each year. With offices in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, the combined organization operates from more than 150 facilities and 220 partnership locations and through a provider network of 400 therapists and counselors nationwide.

It also operates the Centerstone Foundation, Centerstone Research Institute, Advantage Behavioral Health, Centerstone Military Services and Centerstone Health Partners.

No matter the concern or where it began, we are proud to be helping service members, veterans and their loved ones lead healthy, fulfilling, reclaimed lives.

For more information about Centerstone, please call 888.291.4357 or visit Centerstone.org

Chief Executive Officer

4,000-0615

Robert N. Vero, EdD

COVER FEATURE

COURAGE BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD

A soldier bravely seeks help with personal relationships through Centerstone Military Services Meet Ray Moser Spc. Raymond L. Moser, Jr. has shown a lot of courage in the first fortyseven years of his storied existence. He made it through a broken home life and abusive childhood in Pennsylvania and Texas, then joined the United States Marine Corps after high school and shipped off to Japan. He survived a domestic shooting in Los Angeles and later signed on with the Army National Guard after 9/11, serving two tours of duty in Iraq where he endured enemy fire.

But just as courageous was Ray’s decision to finally seek counseling through Centerstone Military Services. With decades of failed personal relationships behind him, plus mounting social and emotional issues related to balancing his civilian and military lives, Moser did what only 20 percent of servicemen and women do in the same situation: he asked for help.

Tall, friendly and dressed in fatigues, Ray is stopped in public by strangers who shake his hand and thank the man for bravely defending their country.

He’s sharing his story with Reclaiming Lives knowing without a doubt those same people would support his complete wellbeing. Ever valorous, Moser hopes to help reduce the stigma that receiving mental health counseling often has among active and veteran members of the nation’s armed forces.

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if I could be “ Iathought Marine then I could accomplish other things in my life.

”

“My parents divorced when I was nine years old,” he begins.

“My mother married another man who was very abusive to her as well as my sister and me. I was always being tossed back and forth from state to state between my mother and father. There was no stability. In my teenage years, I was tired of running around in circles with no direction. I remember a Marine Corps recruiter coming to our high school, looking so cool in that uniform. I talked with him about the future and what his life was like, and I thought, ‘It’s got to be better than where I’m at.’”

Ray had grown up hearing the Marines was the toughest branch of the service, and he wanted that type of challenge to reset his path. Besides the troubles at home, complications at birth had left him with a mild hand tremor—another point of personal insecurity. The military began to instill confidence and discipline.

“I thought if I could accomplish being a Marine then I could accomplish other things in life,” he recalls. “I overcame the hand tremor and learned to fire a weapon with accuracy. I successfully completed boot camp, and it was great. I felt secure and was traveling to other parts of the world—on my own, away from home, really starting to live.”

But not everything in Moser’s life was shipshape. Along the way, he’d gotten married to a childhood sweetheart from his hometown right before a six-month deployment to Japan. The couple’s intentions were good, but their execution was not.

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“She had helped me through those difficult times in my life, all those years of abuse,” he remembers. “We bonded, and I said to her, ‘If my life gets better, I want to make your life better.’ But I was gone immediately after the wedding. We were young and didn’t know how to handle the distance. It didn’t work; the marriage was annulled. At the same time, I was making bad behavior choices that hurt my career in the Marines.”

Maturity and Trust Issues Ray tells of immature things he did trying to get his wife’s attention during that season. Having sent all his money back home, he was caught stealing a greeting card and a roll of film from the PX. Another time overseas, upon receiving a call bearing bad news, he busted up one of the base’s phone booths out of frustration.

“At that age I wasn’t looking down the road at the consequences of my actions,” he admits. “I was just making bad choices, acting out belligerently. When I got out of the Marines it was with what’s called an RE Code 4—an honorable discharge, but without an invitation to return if I ever wanted to re-enlist. ‘Nice to see you. Thanks for your service, but don’t come back.’”

All told, Moser had four active years in the Marines, spending significant time stationed in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and seeing combat in Panama during Operation Just Cause. He climbed to the rank of Corporal but would lose that status due to his behavior.

I hope they see a fellow “soldier and realize if I can do this, they can too. ” “Joining the Marines was the best choice of my life,” he says.

“I may look back and regret some of my actions, but I don’t regret being a Marine by any means. There’s nothing bad to say there; I love my servicemen.”

With that said, Ray didn’t really trust men in general—and for understandable reasons. His father had left him. His stepfather abused him. Whenever Moser felt like running, it was always toward a woman. That’s how he found himself married a second time just as he was leaving the Marines.

But there were no healthy relationships in his background to which he could relate.

“My second wife was great, but I still wasn’t mature enough,” Ray confesses. “I was more interested in cars and music—in being a cool guy—than being a good husband. I didn’t have a good example. My dad, who lived in Los Angeles by then, had been married ten or twelve times. When I complained to him about marriage, he said, ‘You don’t have to put up with that crap. Come to LA, and I’ll pay for college.’ He offered an escape, and I was good at running—usually toward women, but this time away from one because of my mistakes.”

Moser left his wife a note on the door of their North Carolina house in the wake of his dad’s offer: I won’t be here when you get home tonight.

Although he missed the bonds he’d made with his fellow soldiers, this Marine veteran was struggling to succeed in relationships outside the military. He would continue to have considerable difficulty finding purpose and meaning beyond the enlisted life.

Running Away from Problems On the West Coast, Ray was in his early twenties with two failed marriages and a four-year stint in the Marines under his belt. A self-described kid in a candy store, he loved the LA scene and got good at “going out and not doing anything with my life.” He ignored his father’s offer to go to school and was soon kicked out of the house.

“The only place I knew to go was where the girls are,” he says. “I moved in with a woman who lived in a rough neighborhood. One night a fight broke out at her place between two other people, shots rang out and I went to a back bedroom to call the police. Then I felt a warm sensation

at my side and fell into the fetal position. The girl I was dating ran in and said, ‘You’ve been shot.’”

While recovering in the hospital, Ray’s request to move back in with his father was denied, and his latest dating relationship was nearing its end. But he knew a guy from a karaoke bar who wanted to move to Tennessee. The early 1990s country line dancing craze was in full force, so the friends boot scooted to Nashville to wait tables by day and dance in clubs at night. Soon even that roommate relationship felt suffocating to Moser.

“I moved back to Pennsylvania and dated another girl from high school,” he explains. “She got pregnant, and I was excited. We had this little house, and I worked as a correctional officer. Life was going okay until our relationship dwindled. I was also a club DJ and taught dance lessons on the side. I got a lot of attention from other people in those settings and did not stay faithful. So there I was running again . . . I ran to my sister’s house that time.”

As the years passed, Ray kept running in and out of relationships, then back in Tennessee. In hindsight, he sees himself going “from being a Marine, to being a loser boyfriend, to being shot, to having a child and pretty much being a failure at that.”

Moser’s being tough on himself—he pays support to the three women with whom he’s had children and stays in touch with each child. He’s also never lost his sense of honor and service as evidenced by what he did after 9/11.

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Making a Change after 9/11 “When 9/11 happened, I still felt young enough to do something,” he says. “I decided to make a change, get back in shape and try getting back into the military. I couldn’t go back to the Marines but found a way in through the Army National Guard. I was in Tennessee but volunteered with a Kentucky unit to reach Iraq sooner.

I was hearing stories of sacrifice from friends and really wanted to get over there.”

Ray deployed twice to Iraq, first along the main road into Baghdad where he experienced IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and mortar fire.

He later served as a radio operator, enduring enemy fire on several occasions and having to shoot back, earning his Combat Infantryman Badge. Moser avoided injury except for a hernia surgery he underwent in Qatar. While in hospital there he met soldiers with devastating combat injuries and was duly inspired by the heroism displayed at every level of the U.S. military.

“Comparing military to civilian life?” he wonders aloud. “It’s hard to find that kind of dedication; you don’t see that as much in this world.

It’s different than a job. It’s life. The people are amazing. I built so many relationships there.”

Today, still serving in the Guard and working as a forklift operator during the week, Ray is striving to build successful relationships outside the military. Married three times, he is engaged again and came to Centerstone with the goal of making this union last a lifetime.

His Army chaplain told Moser about Centerstone Military Services and its Courage Beyond program that offers free counseling to service members, veterans and their loved ones.

A Positive Path for the Future “I was at the brink of losing this relationship with my fiancé because of some need I have to talk to other women,” he admits. “I finally realized I was dealing with something larger than I could figure out. I needed help working through everything in my past so I could get on a positive path for the future.”

Ray adds, “I did this interview in hopes of helping another serviceman or woman. I know many soldiers who keep things inside because they are embarrassed, or they think reaching out like this will be a blemish on their military record. It isn’t like that here.

It’s confidential and uplifting; I’m able to talk about anything and everything without being judged. This isn’t about me—I just hope they see a fellow soldier and realize if I can do this, they can too.”

Not surprisingly, Moser ultimately likens his experience with Centerstone to a military scenario.

“When I’m in a combat situation, I have a team around me that makes me feel secure” he concludes. “Thanks to the Courage Beyond program, I have a team helping me in the fight against my personal struggles. We meet in person, and they call just to make sure I’m okay. They’ve allowed me to open up and reveal more of who I am, to find more untapped potential in my life. I have nothing but pride about being here. It’s a great experience, and I’m learning more every time I walk through the door.” a

Elisa Gitan, a licensed therapist at Centerstone, commends her client’s bravery to seek professional help.

Moser with therapist Elisa Gitan.

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“Only one in five veterans seek therapy, demonstrating that treatment is not the usual course of action among struggling veterans and essentially ‘normalizing’ silence and suffering,” she explains. “It takes courage to seek help.

Raymond had that courage despite the multiple barriers that often prevent military service members and veterans from seeking treatment.”

Centerstone Military Services help service members, veterans and their loved ones lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Programs include face-to-face counseling, couples and family counseling, therapeutic retreats, housing assistance, employment counseling, physical health and wellness services, support groups and more.

CenterstoneMilitaryServices.org

Combating PTSD PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is an anxiety disorder some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous event.

Fundamental Facts about PTSD A Time of Trauma: PTSD occurs when there is exposure to a physically or psychologically traumatic event resulting in an intense emotional response of fear, helplessness or horror. Examples of traumatic events include: tornadoes, plane crashes, murders, school shootings, car accidents, death of a loved one, assault, abuse or any negative event with significant impact.

Unwelcome Memories: Individuals with PTSD typically experience persistent recurrence of the traumatic event via intrusive thoughts, mental images and/or disturbing dreams recalling what happened. Some people may experience hallucinations or flashbacks, as if the traumatic event is reoccurring. Any reminders of the trauma are distressing. Avoiding anything symbolic of the event becomes priority.

Always Alert: It is common for individuals with PTSD to be alert, yet unable to concentrate. PTSD can cause people to be extremely watchful to protect themselves from danger. Constant worry, anxiety, becoming easily startled and even panic attacks may be common.

Falling asleep and staying asleep can be a daily distress.

Rage, extreme irritability and intense agitation are also symptoms of PTSD. Duration and Disruption: PTSD disrupts the functioning of people affected by it, interfering with their daily tasks and needs. It hinders interest in otherwise pleasurable activities and events. To be diagnosed with PTSD, symptoms must be present for more than one month, and the traumatic event must cause significant clinical distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of life.

Complications can result from untreated PTSD, including: generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, major depression, substance abuse and problems with health, career and relationships.

PTSD and Service Members One in four American soldiers and veterans of our nation’s modern wars suffered from PTSD. The Center for Military Health Policy Research reports that early evidence suggests the psychological toll of these deployments (many involving prolonged exposure to combat-related stress over multiple rotations) may be disproportionately high compared with the physical injuries of combat. Today, concerns frequently center on two combat related injuries in particular: post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many reports refer to these as the signature wounds of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.

Dealing with PTSD •

Educate yourself. Combat Stress and PTSD are treatable. Learn the symptoms of PTSD, and identify the triggers and warning signs of your particular case.

Knowledge and acceptance are the first steps in recovery.

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Reduce stress. Find anxiety reducing techniques such as meditation, praying, exercising, yoga, deep breathing or spending time with close friends and family.

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Manage behaviors. Practice anger control and conflict resolution skills.

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Practice patience. Learn to forgive yourself. Learn new things. Set goals, and acknowledge your accomplishments. Count your victories in the battle of PTSD recovery in incremental steps.

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Seek support. Talk with a counselor. The goal of treatment is to reduce all symptoms of PTSD, to improve daily functioning and help individuals cope with the event that triggered the disorder. a

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PHYSICIAN SPOTLIGHT

Jessica F. Douglas, D.O. Jessica Douglas, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, joined Centerstone in 2011. She works as a Child & Adolescent psychiatrist, seeing clients in the Dickson, Gallatin and Springfield clinics and providing supervision for nurse practitioners at those locations. Dr. Douglas received her undergraduate education from Centre College and the University of Kentucky, and then obtained her medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She completed her Residency in Psychiatry and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Why do you choose to work at Centerstone?

I enjoy working with a diverse patient population and welcome the complexity of cases we see at Centerstone. I find that the team approach used in our clinics is most effective in meeting the needs of the patients we serve.

What future advances in the delivery of care excite you the most?

The areas of pharmacogenetic testing and personalized medicine, in which a patient’s medication regimen can be tailored to his or her genetic markers and metabolism. This is a very exciting time to be in the field of Psychiatry.

Tell us about your family.

My husband, Kevin, and I have two young children, a girl and a boy. We enjoy frequenting the local coffee shops, restaurants and parks in our Nashville neighborhood.

Kevin is a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School and practices corporate law at Bass, Berry & Sims. He and I are originally from Kentucky, and we consider Nashville home now. We are members of St. George’s Episcopal Church.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy running (with and without the jogging stroller), barre classes, squeezing in dinners with friends, working on home projects and reading political and other nonfiction.

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What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I was a college soccer player. Also, I’m related to 15th United States President James Buchanan as well as his niece Harriet Lane.

What made you interested in psychiatry?

A family friend was working on her PsyD at UT Memphis and needed a research assistant for her Jail Diversion Project. Knowing I was about to graduate from college, she asked if I would be interested in the position. I took the opportunity to move to Memphis and through my research was introduced to the world of Psychiatry. I decided to apply to medical school with the plan of becoming a Psychiatrist. As a medical student, along with Psychiatry, I also became interested in Pediatrics. During my third year, I did a Child Psychiatry rotation at the Massachusetts General Hospital. I decided Child Psychiatry would be the perfect fit for me, as I could combine my two main areas of interest into one.

What has your favorite moment in your career been so far?

I have had so many wonderful moments, but one that stands out is a case where I was able to advocate for a patient to be placed in treatment rather than go to Juvenile Detention. This particular patient has done very well in his treatment and is getting ready to graduate from high school.

What do you think you would you have done if you hadn’t chosen this line of work?

Journalism. I love learning about people and events and telling stories. Journalism and psychiatry definitely have some similarities!

What’s a piece of advice that you’ve found useful over the years?

Laughter is the best medicine. a

Spotlight on Supportive Services for Veteran Families Centerstone’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) prevents homelessness by helping qualifying U.S. military veterans and their families gain access to the resources they need in order to successfully transition to or maintain permanent housing.

Through the SSVF program, Centerstone’s community support specialists provide guidance and coordination to veterans and their families, helping them make informed decisions, understand their options and gain access to VA benefits. In addition, community support specialists connect veterans and families with other community resources including: • • • • • • • •

Housing counseling services Health care services Personal financial planning services Transportation services Employment services Income support services Legal services Child care services

Temporary financial assistance payments may also be available to help with expenses such as rent, utility fees, security deposits, moving costs, transportation and child care.

Interested veterans and their families work with a Centerstone community support specialist to complete an eligibility screening and assessment. Once enrolled, participants in the SSVF program work closely with Centerstone staff to identify barriers to permanent housing and determine what support services are necessary to meet essential needs.

No Cost A grant-funded program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, SSVF is available at no cost to eligible candidates in numerous Middle Tennessee and Kentucky counties.

Eligibility The SSVF program is offered to single veterans or veteran families where the head of the household or spouse is a veteran. In addition, eligible participants must have a household income that does not exceed 50 percent of the median area income.

Lastly, veterans and their families may be eligible for the SSVF program if they have recently lost their home, are struggling to keep their current home, or are currently homeless but expect to be in permanent housing within the next 90 days.

Contact To determine if you are eligible for the SSVF program or for more information, please contact Centerstone Military Services at 615.460.4385 (in Tennessee), 270.282.0121 (in Kentucky) or online at SSVFonline.org. a CENTERSTONE.ORG

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Centerstone’s Integrated Care Program Gains CARF Accreditation Centerstone has received official accreditation as a Health Home for adults as well as for children and adolescents from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International.

Health Homes coordinate care for people with chronic conditions and offer “whole-person” integrated care for physical and behavioral health. The Health Home designation is attached to very specific, measurable protocols that drive care quality and scope of services.

“We are excited to have our integrated care model accredited as a Health Home by CARF International,” said Dr. Bob Vero, CEO of Centerstone.

“Integrated care has been a major point of emphasis for Centerstone for the last three years—and a concept for which we’ve been laying the groundwork for more than a decade. This accreditation is a welcomed acknowledgment that our hard work has created a successful program.”

Centerstone clinics now recognized as accredited Health Homes are located at 1921 Ransom Place in Nashville (Frank Luton Center), 2400 White Avenue in Nashville (Dede Wallace Campus), 511 Eighth Street in Clarksville (Harriet Cohn Center) and 620 South Gallatin Road in Madison.

Integrated care bridges the disconnects that can exist between a patient’s various healthcare providers. With collaboration and care coordination built into Centerstone’s Health Home model, patients see faster and more robust improvements in their overall health.

“The improvement in care delivered as part of a Health Home is easy to see,” said Mary Moran, Director of Special Projects, Integrated Care and Health Homes. “The value of the speed and ease with which care providers can collaborate for a patient can’t be understated. They are able to address a patient with multiple conditions—from every angle and quickly get the patient in the best health status possible.”

“It is crucial that we work at the interface between physical health conditions and psychiatric disorders because this single point is where we get the largest gains for the patient,” added Dr. Karen Rhea, Chief Medical Officer for Centerstone. “When someone is dealing with multiple issues, the symptoms often compound one another. If you can make improvements to all of these health issues at once, the patient experiences a transformation in their life that supports continued engagement and further health improvements.”

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. a 10

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How to cruise through conflict It takes more than just love or commitment to navigate any relationship. Partners must face conflict, change and numerous challenges. But the rewards for overcoming these obstacles are happiness, personal growth and even improved health.

Here are five key skills to help you cruise through conflict and accelerate your relationship success.

View your partner as a friend, not foe Sometimes we forget the person we’ve chosen to share life with is ultimately a friend – someone whose well-being and feelings we genuinely care about. In times of conflict, we tend to have a “me against you” mentality. We become adversaries. But if one “wins,” where does that leave the other? Do you really want your friend and partner to be a “loser?” If you treat each other with kindness, care and respect, even the toughest of times can be manageable.

Keep conflicts current Have you ever been tempted to say, “You always…” or “You never…?” Or what about bringing up that fight in 1992, when your partner was dead wrong? Current problems are never solved by digging up the past. Stay with the topic at hand when discussing relationship problems. When other issues come up, agree to address those another time.

During an argument, pretend your sweet little grandmother or your young daughter is standing beside you. That may help tame your tongue.

Complain, don’t criticize Criticism, especially if it becomes habitual, can be hard on a relationship. It’s okay to complain, but not to constantly criticize. Complain by calmly sharing how the other person’s behavior is not meeting your needs. Then request what you desire instead. Don’t assume they know they are irking you. And keep in mind, storing a list of complaints is not healthy. Know when to let it go and when to speak up. Steer clear of character attacks.

Build intimacy beyond the bedroom Intimacy is defined as a close, familiar and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship. This definition goes so much further than the usual interpretation of intimacy and is not confined by the four walls of a bedroom.

Tame your tongue

Intimacy is shown through loving affection for your partner. This can be demonstrated by showing understanding during conflict and taking time to hear the other side of the story.

Intimacy can be developed through laughter.

Finding the humor in a situation quickly brings the conflict and tension down a level. Intimacy can also grow through encouragement and forgiveness.

Language has the power to crush your partner’s spirit and halt any chance of solving the problem.

You don’t win an argument by swearing or namecalling. Think before speaking, and consider your words before it’s too late to take them back.

All of these emotions and reactions, particularly during times of conflict, can build intimacy between you and your partner and demonstrate that “affectionate or loving personal relationship” we all desire. a CENTERSTONE.ORG

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PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION

Local Band Rocks for Mental Health Awareness

Centerstone’s Older Adult Services Awarded Grant Funding

Nashville rock band KiND performs at a downtown venue to raise awareness of mental health services around town.

Nashville band KiND recently featured Centerstone as the highlighted organization at its second annual “KiND MiND: A Party to Provide” concert and artist showcase.

The event was held on Music Row in an ongoing effort to raise awareness about behavioral healthcare as well as reduce the stigma surrounding treatment. More than 100 guests danced the night away while learning about Centerstone and how they can make a difference to those facing mental illness and addiction.

Ambassadors Circle Hosts Prescription Drug Abuse Event

Centerstone Chief Operating Officer Ben Middleton (left) and Regional Vice President Beth Hail (right) meet with West End Home Foundation board member Grace Awh (center).

The West End Home Foundation, a historic organization dedicated to the care of seniors since 1891, has awarded $56,850 to support Centerstone’s Older Adult Services in Tennessee. This generous funding will help to provide social support, outreach and advocacy services to Davidson County’s older adults (50+ years of age) who are struggling with severe physical and mental illnesses.

Exploring Technology’s Impact on Childhood

Pictured at Centerstone’s Ambassadors Circle discussion of prescription drug abuse (l-r): Darin Rowell (Chair, Centerstone’s Ambassadors Circle Leadership Council), Doug Varney (Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services), Dr. David L. Black (Founder/Chairman/CEO, Aegis Sciences Corporation), Dr. Sherry Hoppe, Dr. Robert N. Vero (Centerstone CEO), and Mark Faulkner (Chair, Centerstone of Tennessee Board of Directors).

Tennessee ranks second in the nation for prescription drug abuse. In a continuing effort to educate the community, Centerstone’s Ambassadors Circle hosted an informational event at Aegis Sciences Corporation in Nashville about this rising national crisis. Moderated by Darin Rowell, Chairman of Centerstone’s Ambassadors Circle Leadership Council, experts came together to discuss warning signs and symptoms, new prevention legislation and how Centerstone can provide help to those battling addiction. Dr. Sherry Hoppe, president emeritus of Austin Peay State University, served as keynote speaker, reading from her book, Hooked But Not Hopeless and sharing her family’s experience with her sister’s prescription drug addiction.

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Wayne Easterwood, Beth Hail, Com. Deborah Taylor Tate, Dr. Vincent Durnan and Dr. Bob Vero at the Ambassadors Circle discussion of children and technology.

Technology has changed childhood. How are we helping our kids navigate the changes? That was the topic at a recent Ambassadors Circle educational panel held at the new building on Centerstone’s Dede Wallace Campus.

Dr. Vincent Durnan, Director of University School of Nashville, facilitated the discussion on “Helping Children Thrive in an Environment of Technology.” Panelists included Deborah Taylor Tate (former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission), Beth Hail (Centerstone Regional Vice President) and Wayne Easterwood (Centerstone Chief Information Officer).

Harpeth Hills Church of Christ Brings Holiday Happiness to Centerstone Clients

Harbor of Lights Parade Benefits Centerstone

A boat carrying toys for Centerstone’s Children and Family Services clients.

Shipwreck Cove, a restaurant at Elm Hill Marina, named Centerstone as the beneficiary of its annual Harbor of Lights Christmas boat parade. Spectators enjoyed a festive parade of decorated boats followed by a lively auction of donated items, ranging from Tennessee Titans tickets to pontoon boat rentals. By the end of the evening, more than $6,000 in cash and donated toys were collected for clients of Centerstone’s Children and Family Services across Tennessee.

Centerstone Military Services Helps Heroes Heal (top) Toina Martin (Centerstone client), Dr. Phillip Pistole (Harpeth Hills Church of Christ) and Marissa Sweatt (Centerstone Adult Services Team Leader) smile together at the holiday store. (bottom) A sampling of toys donated by the community

Dedicated volunteers from the Harpeth Hills Church of Christ joined together for the ninth year to transform the first floor of the Ella Hayes Center into a holiday store for Centerstone clients. From clothes and toys to small appliances and more, the church gathered new and gently used items donated by the community and sorted them into an onsite store. Over three days, clients had the opportunity to select gifts for their loved ones at no cost.

Through the generosity of the community, this annual event provides many Centerstone clients with the only opportunity they will have to join in the giving cheer of the holiday season.

Courage Beyond, a program of Centerstone Military Services, recently hosted “Helping Heroes Heal: Improving our Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence” for mental health and legal professionals. Pamela Jacobs, an attorney and multi-decade advocate for survivors of military sexual assault and domestic violence, led the conversation. Audience members learned the difference between PTSD and domestic violence as well as the unique ways that violence and sexual assault can present in military homes.

“Three out of five women serving in the military will be sexually assaulted,” said Centerstone Military Services Program Director Jenny Carr. “We owe it to them to stay loud and hope to end sexual assault in the military.” a

Join the Conversation at our Next Ambassadors Circle Event…

Each Ambassadors Circle event focuses on a different mental health or addiction topic to create public awareness and eliminate stigma surrounding treatment. Members are encouraged to bring guests to help educate the community as well as spread the news of the vital work being done at Centerstone.

To request or host an Ambassadors Circle Event on a particular topic in your area, please contact Jeney Slusser at 615-460-4181 or jeney.slusser@centerstone.org.

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NEWS&NOTES Speakers on the “Suicide Prevention in Tennessee” panel at the annual TAMHO conference included Centerstone Vice President of Crisis & Disaster Management Becky Stoll (third from right) and Centerstone Military Services Outreach Specialist Zachary Bell (far right). Also pictured (l-r) are Kathy Benedetto (Frontier Health), Sejal West (TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services), Scott Ridgway (TN Suicide Prevention Network) and Stacey Murphy (TN Mental Health Consumers’ Association).

Centerstone case manager Matthew Ferguson is shown during his interview with FOX News 17 in Nashville.

(l-r) Ken Stewart, Beth Hail and Matt Hardy were recently named Regional Vice Presidents with Centerstone of Tennessee.

TAMHO Conference Features Becky Stoll, Zachary Bell The Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO) invited Centerstone’s Becky Stoll (Crisis Services/Crisis Management Strategies) and Zachary Bell (Centerstone Military Services) to speak at the One Death by Suicide Is One Too Many conference in Murfreesboro. Stoll shared insights and success stories from Centerstone’s pioneering work with the international Zero Suicide in Healthcare initiative.

Bell, an Outreach Specialist with the Courage Beyond program, discussed mental health issues among the military population, including post traumatic stress disorder.

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Tennessee Case Managers Making National News Centerstone joined other Tennessee mental health organizations to make a united case for Level 2 case management when proposed state budget cuts threatened that service.

Case managers provide crucial outreach to adults with mental illness, helping them manage prescriptions, appointments, housing and more. The Tennessean ran an op-ed by CEO Dr. Bob Vero that was shared 500+ times via Facebook and did a front-page story featuring a Centerstone client with case manager Matthew Ferguson that showed the real-life benefits this service provides. Chief Operating Officer Ben Middleton appeared on

FOX News in Nashville and was quoted on the issue by multinational news agency the Associated Press.

Ultimately, funding was restored!

Hail, Hardy, Stewart Named Regional Vice Presidents Centerstone has named Beth Hail, Matt Hardy and Ken Stewart to Regional Vice president positions overseeing the company’s mental health and addiction treatment operations across Tennessee. Ben Middleton, Chief Operating Officer, said, “With the increasing size and scope of Centerstone’s service lines in each region, Beth, Matt and Ken are similarly expanding beyond their

(left) Several members of Team Centerstone pose with their stylish blue boas at the NAMI Community Walk and 5K. (below) Centerstone Integrated Care wellness coordinator Landen Elliott-Knaggs on his way to winning first place in the 5K!

The Honorable Douglas Henry, Jr., Senator, Tennessee General Assembly, was recently presented with TAMHO’s Frank G. Clement Community Service Award by Centerstone CEO Dr. Bob Vero (right). The honor recognizes “unsung heroes” who provide a valuable resource that strengthens the community based behavioral health system in Tennessee.

Photo: Memories by Murray

Centerstone Chief Operating Officer Ben Middleton, ReConnect clients LeAnn Wilson and John L. Butts, Jr. and Centerstone Regional Coordinator Melanie Brander attend the Phoenix Art Gala benefiting the Healing Arts Project, Inc.

previous work as regional directors.”

Hail serves the central region (Davidson, Wilson, Williamson and Rutherford Counties) and is a 23year Centerstone employee. Hardy serves the northern region (including Montgomery, Stewart and Cheatham Counties) and has spent 14 years at the company. Stewart serves the 14-county southern region (Maury, Bedford, Marshall, etc.) and joined Centerstone 28 years ago.

ReConnect Clients Shine at HAPI Art Exhibit Centerstone’s ReConnect Peer Support Centers provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals gain confidence, build

socialization skills, make friends and engage in learning activities that include art classes. Creative works from several clients in the program were recently displayed and sold at the annual Phoenix Art Gala in Nashville to raise funds for the Healing Arts Project, Inc. Among them were Peacock Fairy by LeAnn Wilson and Moonface by John L. Butts, Jr.

Team Centerstone Brings Style to NAMI Walk/5K Yes, it was all in good fun and for a good cause, but Team Centerstone— sporting blue feather boas—came to win the 2015 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Davidson

County Community Walk with 5K Run & Village. Our very own Integrated Care Wellness Coordinator Landen Elliott-Knaggs placed first among all the 5K runners, covering those 3.1 miles in just 20 minutes and 16 seconds.

DrugRehab.org Ranks Centerstone among Top Addiction Centers DrugRehab.org recently named Centerstone among the top half of the Top Ten substance abuse and rehabilitation centers in Tennessee.

The national healthcare industry site bases its rankings on criteria including staff, effectiveness of treatment and overall experience. a CENTERSTONE.ORG

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Reclaiming Lives Luncheon Features Best-Selling Author Glennon Doyle Melton

Centerstone recently hosted its first Reclaiming Lives Luncheon at Hillwood Country Club in Nashville. New York Times bestselling author Glennon Doyle Melton was the featured keynote speaker.

Introducing herself as “a recovering everything,” the inspiring mother of three shared her story of addiction and recovery while focusing on a message of hope and healing aligned with Centerstone’s mission.

Lynn Pappas, Kelly Crockett Crook, Stephanie Ross, Shannon Ross

Dr. Bob Vero, Chief Executive Officer of Centerstone, welcomed guests to the event which will be held annually each spring. Other speakers included Centerstone Board Chair Mark Faulkner and board members Father Fred Dettwiller, Janet Ayers, Dana Oman and Kelly Crockett Crook. Oman and Crockett Crook co-chaired the luncheon, while Ayers and Lee Ann Ingram served as honorary chairs.

Glennon Doyle Melton wrote the inspiring and hilarious memoir, Carry On, Warrior, and is the founder of Momastery.com, an online community where readers meet daily to experience her shameless and laugh-out-loud funny essays about marriage, motherhood, faith, addiction, recovery, and serving the marginalized.

“I am not ashamed of my rock-bottom moment,” she told the audience. “Rock bottom is the beginning of everything beautiful . . .

‘Help’ is the magic word for people with mental illness and addiction.”

Lee Ann Ingram, Dana Oman, Bob Vero, Father Fred Dettwiller

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Barbara Keith Payne, Adrienne Knestrick, Louise Bryan

Lorie Duke, Annie Schaefer, Betsy Wilt, Allyson James

Mark Faulkner, Janet Ayers, Kelly Crockett Crook, Glennon Doyle Melton, Dana Oman, Bob Vero

Lannie Jewell, Kristin Clark

Drawing from her own life, Glennon inspires mental health and addiction/recovery audiences with her authentic, empowering, hopeful, and fresh perspective on healing. Her sold-out events across the country are testament that her authenticity and humor translate powerfully from the page to the stage.

“

Centerstone helps people literally reclaim their lives.

—Mark Faulkner

Mellicent Harris, Jack Wallace

This event was made possible in part by generous sponsorships from:

”

(chair, Centerstone of Tennessee Board of Directors)

The Reclaiming Lives Luncheon was sponsored by DVL Seigenthaler and fashionABLE. Local boutiques Dallysisters, fashionABLE, Guilded Designs by Mary Kay Hunt, and K. McCarthy Fashion Truck offered shopping before and after the event. Table sponsors included Kelly Crockett Crook, Lorie Duke, Jenny Hannon, Kristin Hasty, Barbara Keith Payne, Celeste Lester, Carolyn Loeffel, Mindy McCullar, LeAnn McWhorter, Troy Solarek, Dana Oman, Angela Robbins, Lina Rowland, Kate Satz, Cindy Shafer, Tracy Smith and SunTrust. a For more about this event, contact Jeney Slusser at jeney.slusser@centerstone.org Tracy Smith, Jennifer Gray, Kristin Hasty CENTERSTONE.ORG

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Prevention Services Helping Teens Make a Plan There are fire escape plans, cell phone plans, graduation plans. So why not plan for a safe prom night? Centerstone’s Prevention Services encouraged teens this spring with the “You’ve Got the Look! Do You Have a Plan?” campaign.

A fun group of students from Nashville School of the Arts got dressed up in their best formal wear to be photographed for posters that were displayed at shopping malls and in classrooms throughout Middle Tennessee. The printed materials also included tips for planning a safe prom night: know you can say “no” to something you don’t want to do; know your personal boundaries; leave a situation if you feel unsafe; don’t feel like you have to have sex—not everyone’s doing it; avoid drugs and alcohol—these decrease your ability to make healthy decisions.

More information is available at Prevention Services’ newly redesigned web site, WhoYouWant2Be.org, a great resource for teens, parents and educators. And be looking for the launch of a Prevention Services comic book for students when the new school year begins! a