Health Department Updates

The Grand Traverse Band of

Ottawa and Chippewa Indians 2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive • Peshawbestown, Ml 49682 • (231) 534-7750 AN UPDATE FROM THE GTB HEALTH DEPARTMENT June 25, 2020 AN UPDATE FROM THE GTB HEALTH DEPARTMENT July 27, 2020

• To-date, the GTB Health Department has performed thirteen (13) COVID-19 tests. The thirteen (13) tests all had negative results. There are no test results pending. The GTB Health Department currently has 411 COVID-19 tests on hand. This includes 320 rapid result tests for its Abbott ID NOW analyzer. • To-date, the GTB Health Department has performed one-hundred ninety-one (191) COVID-19 tests. All 191 tests had negative results. The GTB Health Department currently has 1,531 COVID-19 tests on hand including 1,438 Abbott ID Now rapid COVID-19 tests. August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance • Please note, testing If you are unable to is available drive to the to all eligible patients Medicine Lodge or are at this time at the GTB Health Department. too far away, arrangements can be made for The GTB drive-through tent is now open at the Medicine Lodge! highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases [like testing at a satellite location. Additionally, home visits will be needed basis. Testing remains critical to protecting the GTB considered on a case-by-case, ascommunity from the spread of -Testing is available to all patients and employees at this time, with or without symptoms. whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, and pneumonia] through on-time vaccination. COVID-19 within the community. Please call the GTB Health Department at (231) 534-7200 to discuss COVID-19 testing. We will work with you to meet your needs. -All testing is by appointment only. Please call 534-7256 to During NIAM, the Grand Traverse Band Family Health Clinic encourages you talk to your • A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) compared vaccination rates check-in. doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to ensure [you, your child, your family] for children 5 months or younger. rates. The study showed that only Responding to the 49.7% of children pandemic in that age has led to a decline in immunization group were current on vaccinations, -Please remain in your vehicle and follow all instructions. are up to date on recommended vaccines. compared to roughly two-thirds of children before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is vital that parents and guardians catch up on their children's vaccinations so they have protection from outbreaks of -Please wear your mask. We also encourage you to visit CDC’s Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides vaccine there is preventable diseases. This is especially important more movement in communities. Please contact now as restrictions are being eased and the health department to schedule your information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your children's vaccinations, well-child visits, inclusive of newborns, infants, children, child’s life. and adolescents. • The 2020 Community Needs Assessment is now open till September 14, 2020. Please access the survey here • The GTB Health Department would like to announce "Lets Heal", its new telehealth platform. Lets (https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5708437/GTB-2020-TribaI-Needs-Survey-Personal- info) Heal is anticipated to be available in summer or early fall of this year! This leading edge, As your children head back to school this fall, make sure vaccination is at the top of your innovative project received approval from Tribal Council and is being implemented. Lets Heal will be a first of its kind telehealth platform that will enable patients to access GTB Health providers, GTB Behavioral Health providers, and 400+ Michigan licensed providers for care 24/7 /365. From the comfort and safety of their home, care will be available when needed, either All GTB Tribal M embers living in the 6-county service area, 18 years of age or older, are encouraged to participate. The survey will include a comprehensive set of topics, including COVID-19 related impacts, t o help better understand your needs. The survey will be available electronically on-line, through mail upon request, or telephone upon request. Additional assistance to complete the survey can be requested. A $25 gift card will be available as an incentive for participation. Once you've completed the survey, you will receive a call checklist. August is also a key time to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you. on-demand or scheduled as needed. Services will include primary care, behavioral health, diabetes care, and common conditions such as cough, cold, sinus infections, allergies, rash, pink eye. Lets Heal will also feature kiosks and connected devices to empower patients to monitor their health. confirming your gift card. Please contact Tamra Newton, Community Health Representative Supervisor at (231) 534-7205 (Cell: (231) 866-1120) for questions or During NIAM, The Grand Traverse Family Health Clinic will be sharing information and resources online to highlight the importance of vaccines. Help us spread the word! assistance. Please note, telehealth is the ideal patients. An official news release solution for will follow! COVID-19 care and reduce unnecessary risk to Follow the conversation @ gtbindians.org and use #ivax2protect to share why you Respectfully, choose to vaccinate. Be sure to sign up for NIXEL to receive the notifications or check Respectfully, Soumit Pendharkar, MHA, FACHE Health Administrator back on the GTBindians.org website every Monday in August for more information.

Soumit Pendharkar, MHA, FACHE Health Administrator

GRAND TRAVERSE CHARLEVOIX LEELANAU BENZIE MANISTEE ANTRIM

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. You highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases [like whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, and pneumonia] through on-time vaccination. have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases [like whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, and pneumonia] through on-time vaccination. During NIAM, the Grand Traverse Band Family Health Clinic encourages you talk to your During NIAM, the Grand Traverse Band Family Health Clinic encourages you talk to your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to ensure [you, your child, your family] doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to ensure [you, your child, your family are up to date on recommended vaccines. ] are up to date on recommended vaccines. We also encourage you to visit CDC’s Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your chil We also encourage you to visit CDC’s d’s life. Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your child’s life. As your children head back to school this fall, make sure vaccination is at the top of your checklist. August is also a key time to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines As your children head back to school this fall, make sure vaccination is at the top of your you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you. checklist. August is also a key time to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines During NIAM, The Grand Traverse Family Health Clinic will be sharing information and you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool resources online to highlight the importance of vaccines. Help us spread the word! to see which vaccines might be right for you. Follow the conversation @ gtbindians.org and use #ivax2protect to share why you During NIAM, The Grand Traverse Family Health Clinic will be sharing information and resources online to highlight the importance of vaccines. Help us spread the word! choose to vaccinate. Be sure to sign up for NIXEL to receive the notifications or check back on the GTBindians.org website every Monday in August for more information.

Follow the conversation @ gtbindians.org and use #ivax2protect to share why you choose to vaccinate. Be sure to sign up for NIXEL to receive the notifications or check back on the GTBindians.org website every Monday in August for more information.

Behavioral Health Updates Mino Gizep! We are still here at GTB Behavioral Health and providing counseling, case management, psychiatric and peer recovery support services for your mental health and substance use needs. We are utilizing tele-health or zoom sessions to ensure your access to services during this pandemic. So, give us a call and let us know what you need or just to check in and say: “I am okay”. We care about each one of you and are here to assist you in the best way possible.

Please call our BH office and speak with Marion to complete our initial intake or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Probes, our Psychiatrist.

Behavioral Health Program Staff: Marion Wabanimkee-Minzey Office Coordinator @ main BH number: 231-534-7090; On-Call BH Counselor (24 hours): 231-342-7686 Behavioral Health Counselors: Bill Martell, Bob Fernandez and Nadine Stark Peer Recovery Specialists: Scott Scholten and Alicia Hall Art/Play Therapist: Erika Magers Clinical Social Worker: Sandy Dunkin Psychiatrist: Dr. Lawrence Probes Human Services Department Manager: Arlene Kashata

Wear your mask and stay safe! New BH Clinical Social Worker Hello, I am Sandy, the new BH Clinical Social Worker, at GTB Behavioral Health. Please feel free to contact me for mental health and substance abuse support and to connect you with Tribal and Community resources for adults through our ITC Tribal Block Grant funding.

During this challenging time with Covid 19 pandemic an individual’s anxiety can be increased with the changes to our “normal” ways of living. We are all experiencing an unusual time with a pandemic that we have not seen since the 1918 Spanish Flu. Anxiety can manifest in many ways from current events such as the pandemic, family issues or trauma to past events relating to historical and personal traumas. One result that can occur when a person’s anxiety keeps rising, is they can experience a rise in blood pressure and if one’s anxiety is persistent this can lead to heart issues over the long term (mayoclinic.org). So please be aware of how your body and mind are reacting to the many changes during this stressful period.

Some suggestions for coping with anxiety include: reaching out to others perhaps through a phone conversation, seeing your loved ones and friends over facetime, taking a long walk, reading a book, working in your garden, or starting a gratitude journal where you write 3 things you are grateful for 3 days over a 21-day period to help with a positive outlook. Getting regular sleep and eating healthy also contribute to a person’s overall wellbeing. Starting your morning with a positive affirmation, prayer, sage or sweetgrass smudge can set you on an upbeat path for the entire day.

I will be sharing more information each month in this newsletter with a variety topics on mental health or substance use education. I will leave you this month with the following affirmation:

All is well in our world. Everything is working out for our highest good. Out of this situation only good will come. We are safe! Being Emotionally Well By Erika Magers, ATR-BC, LPC

Understanding how our mind, body, spirit, and emotions are interconnected can open pathways for healing and overcoming past emotional difficulties. To best help people overcome traumatic events or past abuse, a whole-person intervention is needed. Interactive approaches such as sand tray, play therapy, and art therapy came be very effective. An individual’s own spiritual beliefs and practices can also be integrated into emotional healing. Healthy connections with other humans can also support healing. We are social creatures, and just like we are capable of hurting each other when misguided, we are also capable of helping each other to heal and thrive. If we have been hurt by others in the past, many times it is through a supportive connection that we will heal.

In April 2019, GTB Behavioral Health welcomed Art Therapist Erika Magers to the team. She integrates sand tray work, play therapy techniques, mindbody approaches, and interpersonal connectedness. Here is a sample activity that can be done at home to decrease stress.

Don’t forget to breathe!

Belly Breathing: Many times, when we are stressed or otherwise overwhelmed, we hold our breaths. We may not even realize we are doing this. When we hold our breath, it can actually increase feelings of anxiety and panic. Taking time to check in with our bodies and breathe fully has a calming effect. When we breath in this way, it ensures we are getting enough oxygen to our brains, so we can think at our best.

Notice if you are holding muscles tightly in your back or stomach area- try to soften these areas as you breathe in fully through your nose. Try to allow the lower part of your belly, by your navel, to expand and soften. Gently placing a hand in this area can help you be aware of how you are breathing. Breathe out slowly through your mouth, almost as if you are blowing bubbles. You can help a child to relax by simply having them blow bubbles as it encourages this type of breathing. Notice how you feel. Most people feel relaxed. If you do not, or if you feel light-headed, do not continue the breathing exercises.

Feather Game: A simple game that involves breathing and fun interactions with a parent or sibling can help families relax and destress. In this game, a small fuzzy feather, or other very light weight object is used, such as a cotton ball or a small piece of paper. One person holds the object on their palms and gently blows it towards the other person who then tries to catch it before it hits the ground. There is no score keeping or competition, it is just meant to be a fun way to connect with breath and movement.