| Energetic, or Attention Problems? |
| Do you have a teen or child who is overly squirmy, talkative and impulsive? Or does he or she seem inattentive, disorganized and seem unable to follow simple directions?
Children’s behavior can be related to many things, including their developmental stage or even ADHD, which is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood.
A child with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, might daydream a lot, be easily distracted, forget things, interrupt others or act or speak inappropriately. The causes and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but research shows that genetics plays an important role.
Dr. Janine Taylor, a child psychiatrist at Kennebec Behavioral Health, will give a free talk on this topic at 5:30 p.m. March 30 at the George J. Mitchell School library, 58 Drummond Ave., in Waterville. The talk is part of the agency’s Community Learning Series, in which clinical experts from the agency present important behavioral information to central Maine residents.
Dr. Taylor will talk about what the diagnostic criteria are for ADHD, how its presentation can vary at different ages and about treatment options. For details, call Peggy Siegle at Kennebec Behavioral Health, at 873-2136.
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| The Rise and Fall of Role Models |
Professional athletes and other performers in the news often give us cause to celebrate – and sometimes to feel disappointment. The rise and fall of role models provide subtle lessons for the rest of us.
See KBH Clinical Director Karen Mosher’s blog. |
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| Mayor Honored for Clubhouse Efforts |
| Waterville Mayor Paul LePage, who is general manager of Marden’s Surplus and Salvage, in 1998 was the first person to become an Employer Partner with High Hopes Clubhouse, which is one of two vocational rehabilitation clubhouses operating under the auspices of Kennebec Behavioral Health.
Since that time, LePage has given more than 40 Clubhouse members the opportunity to work with supports in several different positions at Marden’s Waterville store.
This year, Marden’s was again recognized as an Employer Partner by the National Employment Expansion Project.
LePage in 2007 attended the Washington, D. C., Clubhouse Conference and Employment Celebration, where he was a guest speaker and was awarded Marden’s first award from the Employment Expansion Project. The project is a multifaceted approach to expand employment opportunities for Clubhouse members across the country while raising the visibility of Clubhouses and of members' employment success.
“Paul has been so supportive of the Clubhouse model,” said High Hopes Clubhouse Director Lisa Soucie, “that he was not only on the High Hopes Clubhouse Advisory Committee, but also is now on the Advisory Board of the National Employment Expansion Project.”
For details about KBH’s Clubhouse programs, go to High Hopes Clubhouse or Capitol Clubhouse.
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| Resource for Difficult Times
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Economic turmoil. Joblessness. Financial loss. Foreclosures.
It can all add up, creating for many people a host of negative health effects that can range from sleeplessness and fatigue to excess irritability and persistent depression.
There is help for people suffering from economic stress in a Web site of advice gathered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Getting Through Tough Economic Times,” posted online at samhsa.gov/economy, tells how to avoid foreclosure, identify health concerns, develop coping skills and find help.
The guide, recommended by Kennebec Behavioral Health, outlines the risks that unemployment and other forms of economic stress can pose to one’s health. Though economic hardships can affect people differently, they also can lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse and compulsive behaviors such as over-eating, gambling and spending.
The SAMHSA guide identifies the signs that might indicate if financial problems are adversely affecting your emotional or mental well-being; and it suggests ways that you can manage stress, restoring one’s health and productivity.
Tips include:
• Try to keep things in perspective - recognize the good aspects of life and retain hope for the future.
• Strengthen connections with family and friends who can provide important emotional support.
• Engage in activities such as physical exercise, sports or hobbies that can relieve stress and anxiety.
• Develop new employment skills that can provide a practical and highly effective means of coping and directly address financial difficulties.
Of course, individuals often need more than these coping techniques to get through hard times. Your health-care provider can guide you to specific services as needed.
The guide was developed with the Department of Labor, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the Treasury and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, which is administered by the Education Development Center, Inc.
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| Speakers Available on Health Care |
| Need a speaker? KBH welcomes any opportunities to explain mental illness or substance abuse and their impact on families and our communities. Since mental health care is fundamental health care, these are topics that all of us care about. Just e-mail psiegle@kbhmaine.org or call Peggy Siegle at 873-2136 x 1212 if your company, service organization or trade association would like to have a speaker. We’ll get back to you with a date for a professional from our organization to meet with your group.
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Hearts & Minds Newsletter
Our and community newsletters are available online in pdf format. Read stories by and about our people, programs and events.
Spring 2009
Fall 2008
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