1. Mental Health Matters
COMING EVENTS: Educating Southwest Florida on Mental Wellness since 1957 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1
• November 5, 2011
Veterans Appreciation
Dinner
Honoring our Troops and Veterans
• November 5, 2011 Our nation's soldiers and veterans represent the very best
Putting Children First our country has to offer and many are suffering with
invisible, psychological wounds that affect their family and
• November 14, 2011 daily life wounds many years after their
Swing for the Kids
return to civilian life. Currently many soldiers remain on
Golf Tournament
duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, however some are returning
• November 19, 2011 home, along with reservists and members of the National
Putting Children First Guard. Many are facing a battle on the home front
transitioning to civilian life. Of the approximately 300,000
• December 1, 2011
54th Annual Meeting
veterans from Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom who
have accessed care through the U.S. Department of Veterans
• December 3, 2011 Affairs, more than 40 percent are reporting mental health concerns.
Putting Children First These conditions have a major impact on families. Many veterans cite "connecting
• December 17, 2011 emotionally with family" as a major concern. The percentage of soldiers who have
Putting Children First conflicts with family and others quadrupled after returning from combat. Living and
caring for veterans with mental health concerns is also stressful and can change the way
Larry Ledbetter
families relate to each other. This is particularly important because families play a
Broker Realtor
central role in supporting people with PTSD. The Mental Health Association of
ABR-CRS-GRI Southwest Florida offers a progressive support group for our heroes who served in our
Armed Forces. The support group is also open to spouses and partners.
For more information contact us at our offices at 261-5405 or our website
ww.mhaswfl.org
Life Time of Knowledge of Naples
239-403-0777
239- 403-
SUPPORT
New Board Member
GROUPS:
The MHA of Southwest Florida would like to welcome Ross
Here for Life
Stanfield as our new board member. He has resided in Naples for
1st Tuesday every
Month 7:00 PM the past 23 years. He received a degree in Finance from the
University of South Florida and a QuickBooks Pro-advisor with R
Veterans
Stanfield Consulting LLC.
Wednesday
7:00 - 8:30PM Ross enjoys golf, fishing, boating, traveling, and participating in
Depression many local events to help better our community.
Thursday We greatly appreciate his support and are glad to have him aboard.
10:30AM - Noon
4. MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS PAGE 4
How to Get Back to "Normal"
Whether you’re a reservist or full-time military person, your return from war means the embrace of family and friends, and
resuming everyday life. Even before the rejoicing over your safe return subsides, you ’ll be trying to find your way back to
what’s normal again.
Here are some tips to help you through this time of transition:
• Realize the reunion is more than just coming home. It’s a major event for the people in
your life -- maybe even bigger than the separation. In fact, research shows that reunion can
cause more stress in people’s lives than deployment. That’s not to say that returning service
members and their family and friends aren’t happy about the homecoming. They’re usually
ecstatic. The stress comes from the changes that have taken place and concern for what life
will now be like.
• Spend time with family and friends. For months, the people who are closest to you have
been living with the fear of losing you. Make a special effort to spend time with them or,
if they are far away, call often to support and reassure them.
• View stress as normal. Returning to your everyday life is a major change, and change
always creates stress. If accepted and handled constructively, stress can be turned into a
source of excitement and enthusiasm about new beginnings with family and friends.
• Go slowly. Take time to ease back into your routine. Make a list of those things that must be
done -- such as banking, making living arrangements, contacting friends and relatives -- and
take them one by one. Trying to do too much too soon will only add to your stress level.
Consider putting off major decisions until you’ve had plenty of time to readjust.
• Communicate with others. Talking with others about your experiences and what you’re
feeling can help relieve stress. It’s not a sign of weakness. Talk with a trusted relative, friend,
faith leader or family services staffer. Military chaplains can be helpful, as most receive
training in pastoral counseling and crisis.
• Take care of your physical health. Get plenty of rest and exercise, eat properly, and avoid
drugs and excessive drinking.
• Do things you find relaxing. Go fishing, attend a concert, or take a long soak in the tub.
Be kind to yourself.
• Watch what you spend. Now that you’re back, the urge to spend will be strong.
Don’t spend more than you can afford.
• Start the rebuilding process together. Do it as a family. Make the decision that this time
will serve to make you and your family even stronger.
Get involved in positive activities that encourage togetherness and reassurance.
• Expect something of a letdown. Most, if not all, service members experience it. It simply
means that you’re no longer running on pure adrenalin and that things are beginning to settle
down. Or, it may mean that the homecoming hasn’t solved all the problems that existed
before the mobilization. Possibly, your reunion didn’t go the way you thought it would.
Whatever the reason, it’s perfectly normal to feel this way. However,
if this feeling doesn’t go away, it could be a sign of something more serious.
5. MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS PAGE 5
When the Letdown Doesn't Let Up
After the initial celebration is over, most returning service men and women experience some sort of an emotional let-
down. This is part of the transition back to everyday life. It simply means you’re no longer operating in high gear and that
things are beginning to settle down. Or, it can mean that your homecoming was not everything you’d hoped it would be.
Occasionally, the letdown can become a more serious problem that requires professional assistance.
Here are some signs that mean it’s time to get help:
• Long bouts of depression. If you feel down for longer than two weeks or so, you may be clinically depressed.
With clinical depression, people often feel hopeless, lack interest in day-to-day activities or loved ones, and
experience changes in eating and sleeping habits. There may even be thoughts of death or suicide.
• Frequent bouts of anxiety or panic. Feeling afraid, even when there’s reason, is a normal reaction after ex-
periencing extremely stressful events. But, when you still feel this way several weeks after the event, you
may have something called an anxiety disorder.
• Flashbacks and frequent nightmares. Traumatic events, such as combat, often trigger nightmares and vivid,
sudden memories called flashbacks. If they persist for several weeks or months, you may have post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can make you feel indifferent, avoid people and responsibilities, become
“jumpy,” or have panic attacks.
• Frequent alcohol and drug abuse. When people are in pain, they sometimes try to “self-medicate” with alco-
hol and drugs. This almost always results in even worse trouble.
• Domestic violence/abuse. When troubled by your feelings or experiences, you may feel like lashing out at
your family members.
• Previous mental health problems or past trauma. You may experience the symptoms of your disorder or see
new ones emerge.
If you are experiencing any of these, you should seek help. With professional help and support you can overcome these
problems. Everyone needs help from time to time in dealing with the stresses of life. It’s also best to act on these prob-
lems as early as possible. You have many options to choose from: support groups, anger management classes, your
faith leader, a service chaplain, a family services counselor or mental health professional. Asking for help is not a sign of
weakness.
Nearly every military installation has a family service center, family support center or Army community service center
where you can access information, referral, counseling, and crisis intervention services. In addition, all military families,
including National Guard members and Reservists who are activated for more than 30 days, are eligible for medical and
mental health care either at a military medical treatment facility or at a civilian facility through TRICARE, the administra-
tor of health services for the armed services. TRICARE provides information about mental health benefits programs for
the military on their Web site, www.tricare.osd.mil. Or contact them at 888-363-2273. Also, Military OneSource provides
24-hour access to information and help. Contact them at 800-342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.com.
6. PAGE 6
PTSD/ Veterans Support Group
The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida is proud to offer a progressive support
group for our heroes who served in our Armed Forces. We also invite other members of the public
who suffer from PTSD to join us as well. We were able to recruit one of our professional members
who, is extremely qualified for this honorable task:
Robert J. Landy, PhD, NCC, LMHC, is a seasoned trauma specialist, who served in the military
himself. In addition our facilitator routinely works with families and couples and is well aware of the
many difficulties our soldiers and family members face upon their return to civilian life.
Our support group is open to spouses and partners. We believe that it is important to listen to their
needs and perspectives as well. We would like you to help us spread the word. If you are a
Veteran yourself feel encouraged and invited to join our group. We trust that with your help we will
be able to provide a valuable service to our veteran population and community.
The group meets at our facilities every Wednesday night from 7.00pm to 8.30pm
The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida
2335 Tamiami Trail #404
(The Moorings Professional Building)
Naples, FL 34103
Phone: (239) 261 5405
www.mhaswfl.org
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
7. MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS PAGE 7
Gollee’s Tip
Helping Children Grieve
Children who experience a major loss may grieve
differently than adults. A parent's death can be
particularly difficult for small children, affecting their
sense of security or survival. Often, they are
confused about the changes they see taking place
around them, particularly if well-meaning adults try
to protect them from the truth or from their surviving
parent's display of grief.
Limited understanding and an inability to express
feelings puts very young children at a special disad-
vantage. Young children may revert to earlier
behaviors (such as bed-wetting), ask questions
about the deceased that seem insensitive, invent
games about dying or pretend that the death never
happened.
Coping with a child's grief puts added strain on a
bereaved parent. However, angry outbursts or
criticism only deepen a child's anxiety and delays
recovery. Instead, talk honestly with children, in
terms they can understand. Take extra time to talk
Talk
with them about death and the person who has died.
Honestly
Help them work through their feelings and remember
with that they are looking to adults for suitable behavior.
Children
8. PAGE 8
Support Group: Grandparents Caring
for their Grandchildren
The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida in
partnership with Tim’s Kids is providing a free support group
for Grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
The schedule is as follows:
1st and 3rd week of each month Mondays starting at 10am,
and 2nd and 4th week of each month Mondays starting at 6:30 pm.
Please contact Peggy Thomson, LCSW at (239) 287-2862
for further information.
Groups will be held at:
Therapeutic Integration Services
2960 Immokalee Rd Suite 3 Naples, FL 34110.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
10. PAGE 10
Volunteers Needed:
“Peer Counselors Find Meaning in Retirement”
By Margot Escott, LCSW, Senior Peer Counseling Coordinator
for the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida
Learn about Peer Counselors and a Vital Community Project
Give Purpose to Your Retirement Years
Make a Difference in Someone’s Life Today
Peer counselors are men and women from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who are selected for
their warmth and caring for others. They receive extensive training and earn a Peer Counseling Certifi-
cate after successful completion of the training program. Ongoing supervision and continuing training is
also an essential part of their experience. These counselors utilize their skills and life experiences to
provide emotional support and guidance to their peers. The target population for the Peer Counseling
Program is caregivers and seniors.
Please contact The Mental Health Association to learn more,
Call 239.261.5405 or email mescott@mhaswfl.org
“We Are Making A Difference”
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
11. MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Peer Counselor Program News
Margot Escott, LCSW
Training Coordinator
The Senior Peer Counselors and friends from other agencies that serve the aging
population in Collier, gathered for a luncheon at Imperial Golf Club on Saturday,
September 17th. This was in honor of our wonderful volunteers, who serve our senior
caregivers so faithfully. It was also in memory of my father, whose birthday would have
been September 16. I cared for my great dad for the last five years of his life , when his
Parkinson Disease had progressed to the need for 24/7 care. My husband and I were
lucky to be able to take care of dad in his home. Some of the people who helped so much
were the Parkinson Association of South Florida and it was great that their new ED, Ruth
Hubing was able to be there. Another agency that is reaching out to caregivers, is Jewish
Family Services with their ED Jackie Faffer.
The Alzheimer’s Support Network has been a great agency for providing support and
education and a resource that we suggest for many of our client caregivers.,
We were all happy that Steve Edmunston could attend. Over lunch I looked around the
room, and saw so many folks dedicated to helping the sick and elderly of Collier County,
most from non for profit agencies. It was heartwarming for me to see so many people that
were connected by their histories of caring for a loved one who was perhaps suffering a
dementia illness or end of life issues, and who use their experience and strength to help
others who are going through similar challenges.
Any organization is only as good as the people who serve in it and I am proud to be part
of the Peer Counseling Program, now in its ninth year of service to Collier County.
PAGE 11
12. MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS PAGE 12
Our Mission
To Advocate for Mental Wellness through Education,
Prevention, and Support
The Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida identifies unmet needs and
develops culturally sensitive services and programs to improve the lives of those
facing the many challenges of today’s world in our community.
We pride ourselves on being the “link” for mental health and mental wellness.
If you are interested in becoming a member, e-mail us at info@mhaswfl.org Or Simply fill out the application and mail a check
payable to MHASWFL or donate online using a credit card. Your contribution is tax-deductible and crucial to helping us continue
our work. If you have any questions about Membership please contact our office by phone at (239) 261-5405
or mail The Mental Association of Southwest Florida 2335 Tamaimi Trail N, Ste 404, Naples FL 34103.
