The Loop - Nevada (March 2023)

THE LOOP

Greetings from WestCare Nevada,

In my humble opinion, the most important observance for the month of March is Women’s History Month This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” is honoring women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to pursuing truth and reflecting the human condition. During this month, WestCare Nevada has chosen to highlight several of our employees who are doing the same. To date, the women we have highlighted on social media are Ms. Elizabeth Kelly, Ms. Mar-Cha Bell, and our newly promoted Clinical Lead at the Women and Children's Campus, Ms. Heather Cirmo.

This month, you will read about some wonderful people and some amazing stories - some of which are bittersweet. WestCare Nevada (WCNV) had the absolute honor of participating in an event hosted by the Las Vegas Indian Center regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The Reclaim Your Power Resource Fair was a success and WCNV has made the commitment to stand with our Indigenous people with the hope of not only supporting their efforts, but also employing indigenous people in order to better serve their community.

We also had a very important visit from a man who is no stranger to the local recovery community, Las Vegas Raiders' tight end, Mr. Darren Waller His visit to our 4th Street Men’s Transitional Living Program surely had a positive impact on all those who heard his experience, strength, and hope. However, it was bittersweet because a few days later, he was traded to the New York Giants.

Our Director of Residential Treatment Services at the Women and Children's Campus, Ms. Irma Magrdichian, was a featured guest speaker at this year’s Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction (LIMA) Graduation She shared a strong personal message of her journey which inspired everyone in attendance.

You will also read about our participation in the UNLV Health and Wellness Fair and coincidentally, I find myself writing this introduction on another day that brought a smile to my face upon discovering that I'm writing this on the International Day of Happiness! I immediately did an internet search on the benefits of happiness and I thought that I would share six ways that happiness is good for our health: 1.) Happiness protects our heart by lowering our heart rate and blood pressure. 2.) Happiness strengthens our immune system. Research suggests a link between happiness and a better immune response. 3.) Happiness combats stress by lowering levels of the stress hormone, Cortisol. 4.) Happy people have fewer aches and pains. 5.) Happiness combats disease and disability. 6.) Finally, Happiness can lengthen our lives.

Imagine the overall benefits associated with each one of us taking the time to overlap a happier us with our motto of Uplifting the Human Spirit when we interact with others. The results would be life changing for us, others, and our communities!

Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President

Reclaiming Your Power

By Lyle Becenti, Research Assistant

WestCare Nevada had the privilege of attending the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Reclaim your Power Resource Fair. The event included speakers from the Moapa Band of Paiutes, Oceti Sakowin Oyate or Sioux Nation, and Native Lives Matter. This resource fair served as a platform for various nonprofit agencies. Specifically, we were invited by the Las Vegas Indian Center to establish a connection with the Indigenous people and understand the importance of MMIW.

Reports from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) confirmed that Indigenous women experience higher rates of murder, rape, and violent crimes. For instance, four out of five Indigenous women have experienced violence in their lifetime with more than 50% experiencing sexual violence. In 2016, there were 5,712 reports of missing Indigenous women and girls in the US Department of Justice’s federal missing persons database and only 116 cases were logged in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

Given this snapshot of information, we immersed ourselves in the activities and listened intently to the guest speakers. We participated in a round dance lead by colorful pow wow dancers. The round dance not only fostered community strength, but the songs and rhythm were meant to heal the people. The speakers were strong Indigenous women who told personal stories and the different types of injustices they experienced being a woman. WestCare CADC Assessment Counselor, Andrea Lopez (Navajo, Táchii’nii Clan), provided the following statements about MMIW: “Such tragedies have profound effect on the Indigenous populations and the rest of the world. Hopefully, WestCare’s engagement with the local Native American communities and its efforts to grow an Indigenous presence among the organization can help mend this divide, increase available services to Indigenous people, and add volume to the MMIW movement.” So, as a fellow WestCare employee, member of the Navajo Nation, and older brother of three sisters, attending this event was necessary.

This event presented the challenges the Indigenous community (especially Indigenous women) experience and how MMIW is a catalyst to the unequal burden among the community. Alongside the MMIW movement, Indigenous people also experienced substantial substance use issues. According to SAMHSA, in 2021, American Indian or Alaska Native (36.1%) were more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past year compared to non-American Indian or Alaska Natives. With WestCare’s mission to Uplift the Human Spirit through behavioral health and human services, we are grateful to be included in the Reclaim your Power Resource Fair. WestCare Nevada is a proud ally to the Indigenous community and hope to be invited to next year’s event.

One Story Touches All

By Sashia Whitmire, Program Supervisor, 4th Street

On Feb. 27, our 4th Street Men’s Transitional Housing program welcomed a very special guest for a motivational speech at our house meeting, Darren Waller, #83 and tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders. It was an unforgettable night as clients, staff, alumni, and their families came to hear his message of hope of recovery.

Darren is no stranger to the recovery community and has been a guest at other venues such as Black Monday 2022. He has openly shared about his recovery journey through his personal and professional life endeavors. Darren feels that presentations like this are his way of “being of service,” which he believes is a higher calling and his way of giving back what was so freely given to him on the day of his own transformative journey. His personal story of change left everyone crying, laughing, and full of emotion. His speech was inspiring, humble, and sincere. He truly uplifted many spirits that night.

1.13: Fresno Admissions and Outpatient Honors MLK Jr.

Darren’s determination to win off the field has led him to freedom on the field. His loyalty to his personal program of recovery has assisted him to achieve athletic acclaim to a higher degree during last year’s season and he intends to only achieve more success. The 4th Street program will be rooting for the Las Vegas Raiders and future MVP, Darren Waller, in the upcoming 2023 - 2024 season in hopes of bringing home a Super Bowl Ring from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our sincerest thanks to all those who came to be inspired and continue passing the message of hope for recovery.

Celebrating The Newest 17 Graduates of LIMA

By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator, Women's and Children's Campus

On Mar. 3, our Director of Residential Services, Irma Magrdichian, was a featured guest speaker for the 5th Clark County Courts LIMA (Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction) Graduation, honoring their 17 new graduates. Irma’s impassioned message of recovery and growth, personally and professionally, celebrated the hope, accomplishments, and possibilities for all.

The LIMA Program is a 9 - 12 month-long diversion program for justice-involved individuals who are seeking recovery. WestCare has partnered to provide withdrawal management, residential treatment, and transitional housing for LIMA clients since its inception over three years ago. Having law enforcement divert individuals away from the justice system into community-based services for treatment and life-skills training is intended to improve the likelihood that participants will achieve success. We are grateful to support our community with this and honored to have played such a large part in the ceremony!

Compassionate Rebels Make It Happen: President's Mental Health Town Hall & Resource Fair

By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Nevada

On Feb. 8, WestCare Partnered with University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for a Wellness Fair held at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The event was put on by the President of UNLV, Dr. Whitfield, and his planning team: Jordan Sundara, the President of Alpha Epsilon Delta; Christine Buena, the President of the American Medical Student Association; and Daniel Bubb, UNLV Professor.

The evening included an interactive panel discussion headed by the President.

The event was held in a town hall style meeting and featured discussions regarding the mental health challenges that students, staff, and faculty face. The most critical issue we are facing now is

the wellness of the University. The team has passionately invested in making mental health a priority amongst the student body at UNLV. They also created a committee called the UNLV Wellness Zone and Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

The goal is to connect students and faculty with the campus community, improving and promoting mental health, reducing stigma, and breaking down social isolation. UNLV offers free workshops for everyone when they feel overwhelmed. Topics for their workshops include: “Stress Management 101,” “Coping with Stress,” “Assertiveness Skills,” “Becoming an Adaptive Perfectionist,” and “Cultivating Resilience Through Mindfulness.” All workshops are available on a drop-in basis with no registration required.

UNLV recently received more than $4 million in a collaborative federal grant pertaining to mental health. With this funding, UNLV PRACTICE is offering coordinated specialty care to youth and young adults to address mental health disorders as well as the critical need for more mental health services in the region. The grants helped fund the creation of two evidence-based treatment programs for young people who are in the early stages of bipolar disorders or are at high risk of psychosis.

Dan Allen, a distinguished professor of Psychology and the lead investigator on the grant, said it all came together with our donors in the community, the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine and the Department of Psychology and Psychiatry.

WestCare Nevada’s Community Action Council member, Eric Endy, opened the door to the University and introduced our team to UNLV Professor, Daniel Bubb. The entire event was made possible by WestCare Staff: Irma Magrdichian, Rhonda DavissonRhames, and Jennifer Hilton. As I write this on International Women’s Day, I would also like to celebrate these women for their amazing contributions to WestCare and with the world. They embody true altruism. They do good things to improve the lives of others without expecting anything in return.

They helped set up our WestCare booth and talked about the importance of mental health and the connection that it has with partners in the community. We look forward to our continued relationship with the University and their next town hall!

In celebration of National Women's History Month, we are featuring some of our female staff members! We each asked them what empowers them as women and what are the best things about working for WestCare To read more about these women's spotlights, visit the Nevada section of the WestCare blog!

"I am so grateful to be a part of the WestCare family Not only is it a wonderful place to work, but it’s amazing to watch each client’s journey as she grows and progresses through the program I love the uniqueness of the WCC in that it allows for the reunification of mothers with their children and is an amazing gift that can be granted to mothers committed to changing their lives for the betterment of both themselves and their children "

- Heather Cirmo, Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), Women's and Children's Campus

" I am empowered by my mother and every woman of color who has poured into me wisdom, love, strength, and the ability to face adversity with grace " - Mar-Cha Bell, Program Manager, Connect Fatherhood

"Showing our own strength may bring someone closer to finding theirs Never be afraid to let your light shine and be yourself. We never know how showing our own strength as women may bring someone closer to finding their strength."

- Elizabeth Kelly, Counselor, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Follow WestCare Nevada on social media to learn more about our team and the work we're doing in our local community!

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