Mental Note – Summer 2022

MENTALNOTE Summer 2022

Volume 3

Mental Health and Well-Being for All

SWEET SUMMERTIME!

Mental Note designed by: Jacque Forrest

MENTALNOTE

WE PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN MULTIPLE COLORADO COMMUNITIES, ONE PERSON OR FAMILY AT A TIME. OUR EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOCUS ON ASSISTING YOU WITH COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRY, ADDICTION, AND CRISIS. FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE CARE YOU RECEIVE. CONTACT US TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AND GET STARTED TODAY: (719) 572-6100.

P4: Community Update

P5,19&24: Client Experience

P6-7: Benefits of Creativity

P8-9: Hello Sweet Summer

P10: Spotlight

P11: Spotlight

P12-13: Children’s MH

P14-17: Salesforce

P18: Life During Pandemic

P20-21: Golf Tournament

P22-23: Coping with Racial Truama

P25: COVID Response

A letter to the community from the President & CEO.

Turn up your health and wellness.

How to talk to children about their mental health.

Diversus Health golf tournament fundraiser.

Client testimonials about Diversus Health.

Diversus Health provider spotlight.

A marketing transformation.

Unique challenges and effects.

P26-27: Substance Misuse How to spot signs of substance misuse.

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Being creative can increase positive emotions.

Diversus Health events and community activities.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

Alleviating the effects of COVID-19.

Community Partner

UPDATE Dear Valued Community Partner,

I hope you are having a wonderful Summer season and are getting an opportunity to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. As a kid, I remember looking forward to Summer and getting a break from school. I think this is a pattern many of us develop - we often find ourselves looking forward towards the future and wondering what that future may hold. This may bring a sense of excitement or anticipation, but it’s also important to stay committed to the present and, once in awhile, reflect on how much we have grown and accomplished as people.

For me, I recently celebrated my third-year anniversary as the President & CEO at Diversus Health. Throughout that time, our organization, and the communities we are part of have experienced an incredible amount of change.

These changes have been challenging at times, but through challenges and obstacles we often witness the most growth. As I reflect on the past three years, I am proud of how much we have grown as a company and community partner.

We continue to look at ways we can improve our service offerings and enhance our role as a mental health provider and community partner in El Paso, Park, and Teller Counties. This edition of The Mental Note shares some exciting progress and updates, recaps work that has been done, and provides some tips to live an overall healthier and happier lifestyle.

Thank you for your continued support of Diversus Health and have a safe and happy rest of your Summer season!

Best,

Adam C. Roberts, MBA President & CEO Diversus Health 4

Experience & Voice I have had quite a bit of interaction with local mental health clinics. I was very impressed with this one and how prompt and informative they were about the process that suited me best for what I needed. My one-on-one encounters and my group encounter has been welcoming and helped create a sense of accountability for my self care, by being attentive and gently encouraging me to accomplish my set goals. The staff seems well-informed and personally invested in my mental health.

S.M. Google Review Jet Wing

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THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF CREATIVITY Being creative can increase positive emotions, reduce depressive symptoms and anxiety, and improve the function of our immune systems.

as interpretive dance along with our favorite melodies, splattered watercolor paints, pour acrylic paints, intuitive drawings and/or repeat patterns with Zentangle…etc.; all of these techniques help us to access the powerful tool of our mind – the imagination to heal ourselves.”

Creativity can put us in a flow state, meaning we become focused with optimal attention on a task or activity. This is sometimes called being “in the zone.” When we are in the zone, it can feel euphoric, and we become more mindful and relaxed. This flow state in creativity allows us to feel more positive and cultivates a sense of accomplishment.

The Journal of Positive Psychology supports these findings, stating that “spending time on creative goals during the day is associated with higher activated positive affect.” Positive affect refers to positive moods people experience including joy, happiness, and optimism.

Practicing creativity is a wellness exercise, similar to having a healthy diet and steady workout routine. Even if we do not think of ourselves as artists or creative innovators, we all have a varying amount of energy, intelligence, and discipline to expand on our ability to express ourselves and be creative.

Expressing ourselves through creative and artistic activities can help to relieve stress and anxiety, and lessen shame, anger, and depression after experiencing a traumatic event.

At Diversus Health, Clinician Kim Nguyen offers an art therapy referral program for individuals with PTSD.

“The more we practice using our imagination, the better we will be able to express ourselves without the need of verbal language,” says Nguyen. “This also helps us to turn inward amid this noisy world.”

“Using our creativity, we can also practice releasing and letting go of what could potentially become toxic to our mind, heart, soul and body,” says Nguyen. “Whether it’s through written words, physical or artistic movements such

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Below are some ways we suggest trying to boost your creativity:

DRAW OR PAINT

There is a lot of healing power in making art.

Activities like drawing and painting can relieve stress and symptoms of depression, as well as improve memory and resilience in older adults.

Drawing and painting can help seniors with dementia reconnect with the world.

SING OR PLAY MUSIC

Music is a bonding method. When we harmonize or sync with others musically, we develop more positive feelings towards them. Singing can raise levels of oxytocin in both amateur and professional singers. Even listening to music releases oxytocin.

Music directly impacts our ability to trust and socially connect to others.

DANCE

Dancing relieves anxiety and improves our quality of life, while getting us moving. Studies have shown that dancing and moving to music can provide mental health benefits to breast cancer patients and lower risk of dementia in seniors.

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WRITE OR TELL STORIES

Writing and storytelling have long-lasting psychological and developmental benefits.

Exploring imagination and creativity through storytelling, journaling, and writing allows us to express ourselves, problem solve, communicate with others, develop self-confidence, and discover things that make us feel happy and fulfilled.

SPEND TIME IN NATURE

Nature affects creativity by way of immersion into natural settings. Disconnecting from technological devices and going out into nature has shown to increase performance in creativity and problemsolving by 50 percent. Nature provides emotionally positive stimuli for enhanced creativity. The next time you are stumped by problems that need solving, step away from the computer to take a walk in the garden or sit in the park.

Creativity is designed to help us find peace, calm, and happiness in our everyday lives. By being creative, we inspire ourselves to think outside of the box and come up with new ideas. Let’s indulge ourselves in fun activities that allow us to create art, sing, dance, or write. The idea is to feel good, become renewed, and be revitalized through the mental health benefits of creativity.

Hello Sweet

by LaDonna Reed, Wellness Coordinator for Diversus Health Days are longer and the rain, sunshine and bees are a good indicator that summer has arrived! Are you ready to turn up your health and wellness? Like budding flowers in the garden, a healthier you is ready to emerge.

Coming out of winter blues, many turn their thoughts into projects: organize and clean out the garage, pull back the fridge and get what’s been hiding back there all year. Some may even remove the screens in front of their windows to wipe down the windows for summer viewing. It’s time to tidy up your life. Don’t let the New Year resolution be the only time you evaluate how to improve your health habits.

Here are some tips and tricks to get you started for a healthy summer:

DID YOU KNOW? Certain dirt has microbes and smelling it can help with depression and provide benefits of connection.

READY YOUR TOOLS Just like a gardener, prep yourself with the right essentials.

Purchase sunscreen to block UV rays that can damage skin, oxidize cells, and cause sun burn. Speak with your doctor for recommendations that fit your lifestyle and skin sensitivity. Be on the lookout for sun-protective clothing.

Light colors and moisture wicking are great for physical activity and coolness from the increased temperatures.

DID YOU KNOW? Low levels of Vitamin D can produce fatigue, bone pain, and even depression.

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Summertime!

GET OUTDOORS AND GET MOVIN’!

DID YOU KNOW? Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America!

Support our national and state parks by purchasing a park pass. Visit the wonderful trails and take the entire family out for a hike.

Learn a new activity or sport. Visit your local youth or adult league program. Sign up and be active for your health.

VISIT FARMERS MARKETS Support small and local business owners. The ability to purchase a healthy food in a small quantity is great on the pocketbook and diversifies your vitamin and mineral intake.

Purchase fresh, organic veggies and fruit. Freeze, dehydrate, or store for future use. These are great to add in soups, chilli’s and casseroles for the winter months. Many items can be safely stored 8-10 months in sealed containers.

ENHANCE YOUR ENVIRONMENT Clean your office, and make the space more inviting with live plants, flowers, art, and books that speak to you.

DID YOU KNOW? Watching fish swim lowers blood pressure and heart rate.

Create space if you have a front or backyard. Add a reading space, work station area, or even a pond.

GROW A GARDEN Nothing tastes better than fresh! Grow what you will eat, and share the rest with neighbors and friends. Planting flowers helps bees pollinate.

Get ready for a new season for your health.

You live in your body. Take care of it from the inside out, and make wellness your priority… from one season to the next!

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LaD onna Reed

Spotlight DIVERSUS HEALTH PROVIDERS

Maria Gauvin MA, Clinician III

Maria works as a therapist in our Acute Treatment Unit (ATU) and has been with Diversus Health for almost a year.

Maria enjoys helping not only the clients on the unit, but being part of a team environment where all of their roles are important and necessary for any individual's treatment.

"I love the fact that I get to work with such a diverse set of peers... it allows me to learn so much in one setting."

Maria (right) with her mother, Elizabeth (left).

Outside of work, Maria is a huge metal head! Her favorite bands are Slipknot, Korn, and Disturbed. So, if she has the time and there is a concert in the area she is most likely going to be there enjoying a show!

ANDREA ALBAN LPC, Community Response Team (CRT) Lead Andrea has worked with Diversus Health for 4 years, and is currently our lead CRT licensed clinician.

Andrea loves being out in the community meeting with clients from all walks of life, and enjoys the camaraderie with her coworkers.

Outside of work, you'll catch her staying active, going up to the mountains, hanging out with her friends, and playing with her dog.

t Zapata Andrea a San e Falls, in th y. e ll a V is u L

Andrea

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with he

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Spotlight DIVERSUS HEALTH EVENTS lth is proud to Diversus Hea the Colorado partner with tball chbacks Foo Springs Swit Club. join us for This summer, , lth title nights Diversus Hea e awareness where we rais d alth needs an of mental he y. it n our commu resources in dule chbacks sche See the Swit for dates.

Assistant, ecutive Admin Ex ’s lth ea H s ughter, Vida.

Right: Diversu dez and her da en el -M lta ra Pe Celina

Prevention Starts with All: The Chris Herren Story Diversus Health was proud to be the title sponsor for Prevention Starts with All: The Chris Herren Story, where former NBA player, Chris Herren shared his personal story of recovery, taking the audience on his journey from addiction to sobriety.

Michelle Palu, Chris Herren, Tonya Moser and Peter Reither.

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Talking to Children About Mental Health.

Speaking to anyone, let alone our children, about mental health can feel uncomfortable. And it’s further exacerbated when we are talking about their mental health. The reality is, the majority of mental health symptoms and diagnosis onset during childhood, adolescents, and young adulthood. Accordingly, it’s essential we have these conversations early to normalize the topic and have a great foundation to work from if/when we notice changes that might require a conversation and/or higher level of care.

In the event you notice that your child has been behaving or seeming to feel a bit different from their normal self (i.e. more sad, down, anxious, withdrawn, stressed) here’s a few tips on how to best navigate the conversation.

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Make an Analogy A common response to when we do not feel well physically is to see a doctor. Sometimes making an analogy to a broken bone or a stomach ache can help decrease the stigma and notice we all need support for when we do not feel well. For example, you could share that if you fall off your bike, we can help you feel better with a bandage and some ice. But with some things, if it’s a big fall, we need to go to the doctor to get medicine or a cast.

Normalize Let your child know they are not alone. You might do some research on the prevalence of mental health concerns and offer them in your conversation. Here is one to start – one in five youth aged 9–17 years has a mental health diagnosis. By normalizing the experience, you will combat the shame and guilt your child might feel for feeling this way and be more open to support.

Listen and Validate

Ask About Suicide

It is like the old adage states – there is a reason we have two ears and one mouth. Make sure to come into the conversation with a curious and open mind. We want to make sure we do not come in with judgment and further stigmatize mental health, even unintentionally. This can be difficult, as we often blame ourselves for the challenges our children encounter. Ask good open-ended questions and listen to understand their experience. Use empathy, and when appropriate, potentially talk about times you may have struggled with similar challenges.

Children are used to new experiences (after all, everything is new in their worlds), and having a trusting adult who stays by their side is what can instill confidence in navigating nearly any situation.

Unfortunately, the rates of death by suicide and suicidal thinking have increased amongst youth in the past decades. Hospitals and emergency rooms are seeing alarming increases in youth mental health concerns, especially in recent years with the COVID-19 pandemic. Asking directly about suicide or suicidal thoughts is often avoided, as we think asking will cause the act, but this connection has been proven to be false. Asking about suicide may be a relief for your child. It shows you care and see them. Even if they are not feeling this way in the moment, by asking this question, your child will know that you are there for them if they or a friend does experience suicidal thoughts.

Have the Conversation

Assure Them

Most importantly, if you think that something is a little “off” – be sure to have the conversation.

And if you don’t feel comfortable, enlist any other supportive adult in your child’s life to do so (i.e. teacher, mentor, aunt/uncle, coach, or counselor). You can also always call a mental health provider for a consultation and to discuss the best path forward.

Many children with mental health concerns think it is their fault. They may think it is unchangeable and “just who they are.” You can further normalize that we all experience mental health challenges and that nothing is wrong with them. In fact, having emotions,

good and bad, is part of being human. Just like we are healthy one day and have a cold the next, our mental wellness has ups and downs.

Your ability to have a healthy and productive conversation can go a long way in supporting your child while continuing to disrupt the stigma that exists around mental health.

Discuss Options You do not have to go at this alone. The important thing is to bring the conversation up. When you feel you are at a place to create a plan, make sure to present options for your child. Here, you might want to do a bit more research and be ready to discuss.

Maybe make another analogy – just like when we have a fever we go to the doctor to get it checked, when we are feeling stressed, sad, overwhelmed, etc., there are doctors who can help with that too.

diversushealth.org (719) 572-6100 13

A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER TRANSFORMED ITS MARKETING OPERATIONS AND CLIENT ENGAGEMENT WITH SALESFORCE.

Originally published by Salesforce.

Copyright 2022 © Salesforce.org LLC

THE DIVERSUS HEALTH CASE STUDY: REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY Diversus Health launched a major rebranding effort in 2019, seeking to clarify its service offerings and define its position in the market. The mental health nonprofit implemented Sales Cloud and Marketing Cloud, initially to monitor and track the public response to aspects of the new Diversus Health brand.

The impact of Salesforce solutions on its marketing and communications has far exceeded expectations.

Having a Salesforce platform in place positioned the nonprofit to rapidly shift to majority telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and clients were able to request appointments via forms on the website. The team has become more data-driven, utilizing performance indicators to target specific audiences via the right channels, yielding a greater return on marketing investment. By using Salesforce at all stages of the client journey, the team can tailor communications to specific client needs, place them at the forefront of each decision, and ultimately provide a better experience.

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90

6K+

700%

days to complete Salesforce buildout

new requests for appointments over 18 months by marketing initiatives

appoximate return on marketing invesment over 18 months

Continued on next page.

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BUILDING MARKETING INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT A REBRANDING The nonprofit now known as Diversus Health is one of the largest mental health service providers in Colorado. Previously called AspenPointe, in December 2019 it began a rebranding process. Plans to develop a new name, logo, color scheme, and website were driven by the need to convey its mission and offerings clearly to stakeholders and clients across three geographic regions.

Diversus Health evaluated what it needed from its marketing and communication infrastructure.

Beyond tracking public reaction to elements of the new brand, the Marketing and Communication team wanted to use analytics to track how effective different media channels were at reaching specific market segments.

All client data needed to be secured and protected, in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other regulations. The team also wanted to provide clients with digital options and personalized, well-timed communications, for an easier, more welcoming experience.

“If someone’s reaching out, they might be in a state of anxiousness or feel depressed,” explained Elario Rickey, Vice President of Marketing and Communication Strategy. “They don’t want to be on hold for a significant amount of time, then repeat information they already provided in a previous discussion. They want to be seen and heard.”

Even general email communications that lack customization — for example, a depressed person receiving an email about addiction treatment — could discourage someone from getting the help they need.

“Salesforce has been a complete game changer and has been foundational to the success that we’ve had with this larger rebranding project.”

E.J. Rickey, Vice President, Marketing & Communications Strategy

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SHIFTING TO DATA-DRIVEN AND DIGITAL, DURING A PANDEMIC

LEVERAGING DATA TO BRING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO MORE PEOPLE

Diversus Health chose Salesforce for its expertise in working with nonprofits and for its extensive ecosystem of solutions. Sales Cloud serves as the core constituent relationship management (CRM) tool. Pardot (now Marketing Cloud Account Engagement) was added to automate marketing tasks, personalize messaging, and determine the return on investment (ROI) of marketing campaigns. With help from Prolocity, a Salesforce Premium Partner for Nonprofits, the system was up and running in just 90 days.

Salesforce tools are empowering marketing team members to use both their time and their budgets more efficiently. Their decisions are based on insights gained by tracking and comparing the performance of specific marketing channels and campaigns.

A few months into the rebranding project, the spread of COVID-19 became a global pandemic.

Continuing the rebrand amid the disruption — including lockdowns and the transition to remote work — wasn’t easy. Yet Rickey said the timing proved to be an opportunity to think differently about their approach to branding and identity. The pandemic made so much change unavoidable, and it motivated the nonprofit’s staff to think deeply about how they might approach tasks and goals differently.

Having the Salesforce platform in place helped Diversus Health rapidly shift to majority telehealth services. When a client requests help through an online form, their information becomes available, via an integrated call center application, to staff members who can schedule their first appointment. Automated messages walk clients through the steps to join online sessions and prompt them to schedule followup appointments. Implementation of the Opero Fax app has streamlined the processing of referrals from external physicians and hospitals.

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In an 18-month period, over 6,000 leads that reached the Diversus Health website because of marketing campaigns requested appointments.

As every interaction between an individual and the organization is tracked, Rickey can estimate that the revenue generated because of those new clients is approximately seven times the total amount that was invested in marketing initiatives and over 20 times the amount invested in advertising costs specifically.

To take the effectiveness of its marketing and communication programs further, Diversus Health is implementing Marketing Cloud Intelligence, formerly called Datorama. Having unified reporting across advertising, email, social, and website activity — all on one marketing dashboard — will save team members time they’ve previously spent jumping back and forth between platforms. It will also allow the team to fine-tune its marketing efforts on a more granular level, communicating the right message to the right market segment, through the right channel, at the right time.

“By being as efficient as possible with the resources we have available, we’re able to positively impact more people’s lives,” Rickey said, “especially in the current climate, in which the demand for mental and behavioral health services is as high as it’s ever been.”

Life During the Pandemic

it’s a time to do what we need to do in order to get through the perceived danger period.

How will we respond when our systems don’t need to be on high alert?

If you get overwhelmed by all of the uncertainty of the world – here are some things that can help you re-center:

LIMIT EXPOSURE TO NEWS It can help to be very intentional with what kind of news you take in and how much you take in. Pay attention to how you respond to the news and know it’s ok to turn it off when you need to.

PAY ATTENTION TO EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The vaccine has been administered and many people are talking about the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.” To be honest, it is nice to feel hopeful. Will life really go back to normal? Will we have to wait in line to get into our favorite stores? Will restaurants be full again? What will travel be like?

At this point, there is mostly speculation about what life will be like. But what about the emotional leftovers from a year when we were asked, and sometimes ordered, to stay in our homes? When we were told to distance from the people we care about?

When our behavior shifted to include wearing a mask? When our front-line workers were exposed to consistent levels of high stress and death rates? Missing milestone events like weddings, graduations, first steps, funerals?

HOW WILL WE APPROACH LIFE AFTER COVID?

Most people have found a way to cope – whether it’s healthy and recommended or not. People have found solace in Netflix, food, alcohol, Zoom and FaceTime calls, sleep, and online shopping. When we’re in survival mode,

Social media is good for so many things, but it can also stress us out. Pay attention to who you are following and who you are giving your attention to on social media. Follow organizations that are doing great work in the community.

DAILY CHECK LIST Sometimes it is helpful to have a do-able check list to keep yourself in the moment. On really hard days it’s good to include things like “eat breakfast and go for a walk.” It feels good to cross things off a list and sometimes we need extra reminders to take care of ourselves.

FIND SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU SMILE Take a break from work – no matter how busy you are. Take a break from taking care of others – even just for a few minutes. Find something that makes you smile, that lightens your load.

The point is to take a moment away from the heaviness and obligations and opening yourself to the possibility of something lighter.

Continue to move forward with understanding for one another as we enter into a new phase of history and exit the “tunnel” of the pandemic.

Experience & Voice

The work I have done with Deanna has been life-changing for my BPD [Bipolar Disorder].

BPD is something that is extremely hard to overcome but it was made easy with hard work and help from Deanna. I would recommend 3 times over. She is a Trauma Specialist and did wonders for my mental health. Thank you!

N.C. Google Review Woodmen

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HEROES IN MENTAL HEALTH

G LF Tournament

THE BROADMOOR GOLF CLUB MAY 17, 2022 Diversus Health is the largest provider of mental and behavioral health services across the Pikes Peak Region and as part of National Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we hosted our 1st Annual Heroes in Mental Health Golf Tournament, with the proceeds benefitting three local mental health charities: National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) – Colorado Springs, Springs Recovery Connection, and Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention.

Thanks to our sponsors for their help and time in supporting a topic that is becoming increasingly important across our community, state, and nation.

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DID YOU MISS THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT? LOOK FOR IT AGAIN IN MAY 2023!

ts, , Adam Rober dent & CEO si re P s h’ . lt d n od rou Diversus Hea golfers a go wishing the

Diversus Hea lth’s Chief C linical Office Katie Blicke nderfer, brin r, ging her “A” game.

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COPING WITH RACIAL TRAUMA Over the past 40 years, medicine has come to better understand the implications of post traumatic stress, leading to a greater emphasis on treatment and relief for victims of trauma.

Psychological trauma can stem from a wide variety of experiences (and not every traumatic incident will lead to persistent negative symptoms; the truth is over 70% don’t), but trauma following a racist incident can present its own unique challenges and effects.

Study after study has shown that racism produces psychological and emotional effects that can easily disrupt the victim’s quality of life and ability to function in a healthy way. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Racial trauma can result from major experiences of racism such as workplace discrimination or hate crimes, or it can be the result of an accumulation of many small occurrences, such as everyday discrimination and microaggressions.”

You don’t need to experience racism firsthand to be traumatized by it.

In the age of digital media, all it takes is a few clicks to come face-to-face with some of the most horrific images of racist brutality since Jim Crow.

Witnessing racism, even through a computer screen, can conjure previous personal experiences, as well as the ghosts of historic violence (sometimes called “intergenerational trauma”).

What makes this sort of nationwide racial trauma so insidious is the fact that it’s everywhere. To heal from trauma, many therapists recommend gaining distance from the incident(s). But, with racism and violence constantly on display in the news and our social media feeds, it can be extremely difficult.

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With this in mind, it’s essential to adopt a mindset of coping — that is finding the right tools and support to cope with the racial landscape around us. While we continue to work for equality, justice, and peace, here are some coping mechanisms to help you persevere through racial trauma.

Let it out. Don’t let your emotions fester.

Affirm your identity. In the darkest

Find a support system. Whether it’s

Practice self-awareness through mindful body scans and purposeful reflection to get a handle on how you’re feeling. Then, put shape to those emotions by journaling, singing, creating, going to therapy, or even just going to coffee with a friend.

of times, it’s important to remember the good.

Seek out positive symbols of your, and others, ethnoracial identity and cultural heritage by reading books, exploring music, going to museums, connecting with members of your community, or even taking a trip abroad. Don’t allow racist myths to define you or keep you from celebrating identities.

your family, community, inner circle, or therapist, a support system will help you process your trauma in a productive way and monitor your well-being better than you ever can on your own.

Don’t let stigma stand in your way. Reaching out for help is a sign of emotional maturity and wisdom — not weakness. We’re all stronger together, both in the fight and in our lives.

Get more sleep.

Take a break from the news. Being

When you’re frayed and worn down, you’re in no position to fend off trauma.

Aim for 7-8 hours per night, with some screenfree time before bed, and allow yourself time to recuperate whenever your body and mind are telling you they need it.

informed is one thing, but being overwhelmed never helps anyone. Learn to recognize the signs of trauma and step back from the deluge when it starts to affect your health.

Take action. While it’s important to

pace yourself, doing nothing can make you feel powerless, exhausted, and even more traumatized. Use your frustration for something productive — organize, protest, call your reps, educate others, educate yourself, and remind yourself every day what you’re striving for.

Racism won’t go away on its own.

We have to actively create the world we want to live in and to take care of others, we first have to take care of ourselves. As with any health issue, it’s important to recognize the signs, address the cause, and take steps to heal. Don’t just grit your teeth. Practice self-care — then you can take care of the rest.

If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, request an appointment with a professional mental health providers at Diversus Health today. If you need immediate assistance, call our crisis hotline at 844-493-8255, or text ‘TALK’ to 38255.

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Experience & Voice The help I received at Diversus Health has been super supportive for my family.

I highly recommend their services to anyone who needs it.

S.S. Google Review Woodmen

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ALLEVIATING THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 HOPELESSNESS. FEAR. ANXIETY. UNCERTAINTY. The Diversus Health COVID Response team set out on a mission to support our community by meeting immediate and ongoing mental health needs related to the pandemic, working to quickly connect with people from all walks of life. Through outreach, education and prevention we made:

OVER 6,000 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 3,200

unique participants in schools, faith, military, business, senior and many of our diverse communities

1,400

community partners

775

people participating in local and rural vaccine clinics

AND THE JOURNEY CONTINUES. CALL US FOR Diversus Health will continue to support our community by providing MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL.

• • • •

Brief educational or supportive contact Remote brief individual or group counseling Public education Assessment, referral, and resource linkage

COVID-19 support services are provided at no cost.

Visit us online at diversushealth.org/outreach-program, email CovidResponse@diversushealth.org or call (719) 299-2996 to get started today. /diversushealth

/diversus_health

HOW TO SPOT SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE Many people, including yourself, may drink alcohol and/or use substances, but you might be concerned that these substances have a greater role than they should in day-to-day living. If that’s the case, first off, give yourself a pat on the back for having the initial self-reflection, or the care for someone else to pose the question.

Those who may be experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD) often try to hide or downplay what is going on. Despite this fact, there are often many warning signs, including those listed below:

PHYSICAL WARNING SIGNS

BEHAVIORAL WARNING SIGNS

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PSYCHOLOGICAL WARNING SIGNS

About 1 in 10 individuals will have a disordered relationship with substance use throughout their lifetime. Knowing the signs, and where to go for support, is an essential step in supporting yourself and your community.

Substance Use Recovery at Diversus Health Our Substance Use Recovery Program helps individuals break the chains of addiction using evidence-based practices.

Recovery is about learning new skills for the challenges of life and about discovering the freedom of living without substances. This program offers hope and a new beginning for those seeking recovery for alcohol and other drugs.

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diversushealth.org (719) 572-6100

/diversushealth

/diversus_health