2829 uniVerSitY aVenue Se

Suite 400

MinneaPOLiS Mn 55414

Inside this issue

Kind Wordsfrom touchstone mental health

Dropping a Healing Pebble 2

Expressing a Healing word 3

The Four Agreements 3

Employee Satisfaction Survey 4

The Physical Environment 4

Donors 2007 5

Consumers’ Wish List 5

The Organizational Culture 6

Staff’s Wish List 6

VoLuME 7

ISSuE 2

SuMMER 2007

Creating a heaLing enVirOnMent

Continued on page 5

An optimal Healing EnvironmentSM applies strategies that foster and support the cultivation of healing relationships, healthy lifestyles, the experience of personal wholeness and the creation and building of healing spaces. The Samueli Institute, a nonprofit organization that supports scientific research investigating healing processes and their applications in promoting health and wellness, developed this concept.

They define this environment as one that optimizes all aspects of any program that supports and stimulates healing. Although we did not develop Touchstone’s Intentional Communities within this model originally, we want the communities to become healing environments for our consumers, and indeed, to foster healthy lifestyles, personal wholeness and healing relationships.

We have related the impetus for the Intentional Communities in this newsletter previously, but its goals bear repeating when considering the theme of healing environment. The Intentional Communities were born out of a desire to create supportive housing that fosters and sustains community among our consumers, with the belief that community is a clear path to recovery.

Many of our consumers receive a variety of professional supports to remain in the community; however, they often express a sense of disconnection because of the loss of relationships—with

family, friends and peer groups—that occurs as a result of the stress that their illnesses have placed on those relationships.

our consumers long for natural supports—family or friends that understand their struggles but support their path toward recovery. We have long believed, and still believe, that by providing opportunity, a space, funding, some autonomy and the support of some staff, we could offer our consumers a path to create a healing community and an avenue to address the loss of connection, the lack of peer support and the longing for healthy relationships.

So far we have 37 consumers who are at least willing to consider this housing program and this concept as a resource for their recovery.

In terms of the development of healing environments in our Intentional Communities, Touchstone funds the bricks and mortar and pays for the furniture and dishes, the d e t a i l s n e c e s s a r y to sustain a

Board MembersLiz Sjaastad, Chair

Michaela Diercks, Treasurer

Sara Barron-Leer

Bill Cochrane

Leslie Connelly

Sharon Toll Johnson, LICSW

Merrie Kaas, Ph.D.

Kelly Robert

Katie Weiss, Esq.

Martha Lantz, LICSW , MBAExecutive Director

Glen Albert, LICSWDirector of Supportive Housing, Assisted Living

Birgit Kelly, LICSWProgram Director, Case Management Services

Michelle Wincell, LICSWTreatment Director, Residential Treatment

Lynette AndersonFinance and Human Resources Director

Peggy Wright, MBACommunications and Development Director

Kristie Casello Human Resources Generalist

editorial StaffMartha LantzPeggy Wright

ProgramsaSSiSted LiVing aPartMentS7376 Bass Lake RoadNew Hope, MN 55428-3861(763) 536–8134assistedliving@touchstonemh.org

CaSe ManageMent SerViCeS2829 university Avenue SE, Suite 400Minneapolis, MN 55414-3230(612) 874–6409casemanagement@touchstonemh.org

intentiOnaL COMMunitieS2025 Nicollet Avenue South, Suite 200BMinneapolis, MN 55404(612) 767–3881intentional@touchstonemh.org

reSidentiaL treatMent2516 E. 24th StreetMinneapolis, MN 55406-1209(612) 722–1892residential@touchstonemh.org

administrative team

PAGE 2TouCHSToNE MENTAL HEALTH

drOPPing a heaLing PeBBLeBy Glen Albert, LICSW, Director of Supportive HousingPromoting healing in one area of life is like dropping a pebble in a lake. The ripple that the pebble causes expands and effects water far beyond where the person dropped it.

Healing is a central theme that expresses itself throughout Touchstone from written materials, to conversations, to the ways we interact with residents, families, staff and others. A healing environment encourages a sense of belonging, a sense of community with others. It does more then support physical, emotional and spiritual well-being; it enriches and stimulates living.

Touchstone Assisted Living Apartments offers a safe, stable place to live where some residents may stay for years. Sometimes its healing environment allows time just to be, and other times it helps to energize and stimulate creativity. The ability to respond to a person’s needs at any given moment is a central concept in the creation of a healing environment.

A recent endeavor at Touchstone Assisted Living Apartments demonstrates the ripple effect that one healing pebble creates.

Beginning as a conversation between Tami, our Activity Coordinator, and other staff about making exercise and movement more routine in residents’ lives, our staff brainstormed ways to enhance each individual’s physical well-being. An idea emerged.

Staff decided to develop an incentive program supporting exercise and movement that brought residents and staff together in a unified effort to increase personal physical activity on a routine basis. The outcome is something special, and the program has had results that we did not anticipate.

Staff took pictures of each other in a variety of exercise poses and placed them around the common areas of the building. Posters invited residents to “Step up” and join staff in exercise

and movement. Staff established the incentive program for residents with points attached to a variety of exercises that residents could choose.

This program captured the interest of almost all residents, resulting in a friendly competition. Staff put up a board that tracked the number of points that each resident collected.

Residents organized group walks. They turned down van rides and walked to local businesses and their community support program. An increasing number of residents chose to go to the local community center to swim. Two residents exercised to DVDs in the privacy of their apartments.

People soon were chatting with each other about what exercise they were going to do each day and inviting others to join them. They congratulated each other and gave encouragement to continue. Exercise became a common cause of the community.

Residents began spending more time together in the common and dining rooms and exhibited an increased camaraderie. By popular vote, staff and residents extended the exercise and movement program from the original four to over ten weeks.

Residents now have decided to take a break from the official exercise and movement program; however, they have not taken a break from spending time together and going to places in the community together. And some have continued the exercise that they started through the program.

PAGE 3 Tou CHSToNE M ENTAL H EALTH

the four agreements

1. Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what

you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of

you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. don’t make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions

and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. always do your best. Your best is going to change from

moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

From Don Miguel Ruiz’z web site” http://www.miguelruiz.com/fouragreements.html

by Don Miguel RuizBe impeccable with your word...speak with integrity and say only what you mean. Don Miguel Ruiz

My philosophy as a leader is in part derived from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements, 1997, including his first principle above. His four agreements are guiding principles capable of transforming lives through rejection of self-limiting beliefs.

To me, Touchstone’s web site really seems to embody the first agreement, the language carefully chosen and positive. When I found the web site earlier this year and read the mission statement, to inspire hope, healing and well-being, I felt drawn to join the organization; this too is my mission. I became the Treatment Director at Residential Treatment on June 28, 2007.

Ruiz also teaches that our word, through expression and communication, has the power to create. The agency’s web site creates for the reader a welcoming sense of Touchstone’s environment: healing-oriented and holistic.

At Touchstone Residential Treatment, our gracious landlords, the Garvins, have expressed their word by transforming our physical environment beautifully. Now, many Minnesota native and wild plants, grasses, flowers and trees offer a welcoming, healing, organic garden for residents and staff, not to mention the birds and squirrels. We also created lovely, natural, rain gardens alongside the front of the house and entrance.

“I’ve seen a lot of positive changes around Touchstone….Now I come back to visit, and I see the beautification process…” writes Theresa D. in the recent alumni newsletter for Touchstone Residential Treatment, The Touch. our creative expression has even inspired our neighbors to start their own gardening projects, which add to the collective healing experience of our shared environment.

our plans for interior beautification are also underway. As a newcomer here, I hope to express my word by paying close attention to the small things that can make a large difference in creating our healing environment. For example, I placed my collection of turtles on an empty, barren shelf leading to our reception area, and within moments (and still today), I heard feedback about how this small touch has added enjoyment for residents, staff and visitors.

In cleaning and clearing out even small spaces or carefully adding meaningful, functional items around the house, we improve the flow of healing energy and make healing infectious as evidenced by the smiles our efforts bring to others, the thoughtful gestures they inspire and the sense of community felt here.

on a larger scale, we are compiling a wish list that includes cleaning projects, remodeling plans such as adding a mural, better utilization of storage and space, upgrading of furniture and décor throughout the house... and the list goes on. Staff and residents alike are contributing ideas for our interior improvements, which we are tackling little by little each week.

In all, our collective word contributes to creating a welcoming, beautiful and positive environment at Touchstone Residential Treatment, which inspires hope, healing and well-being.

exPreSSing a heaLing WOrd

The satisfaction of employees looms large in the creation of a healing organizational culture. In the Spring of 2007, thirty-seven (37) employees responded to an Employee Satisfaction Survey to tell us what they think about working at Touchstone Mental Health. We also received very insightful written comments. These observations gave us information about what we are doing well as an organization and also about how we can improve.

Thank you to all who took the time to respond this year. Your feedback is invaluable to Touchstone Mental Health. We will use the results of this survey to become a stronger organization in the future, and we look forward to using this first evaluation as a benchmark for future surveys.

Below are some of the highlights of that survey. on two questions, only 36 people answered. In answering each question, employees selected one of five responses: Strongly Agree, Agree, Neutral, Disagree and Strongly Disagree. In the charts below, if a response does not appear, no employees selected that response.

PAGE 4TouCHSToNE MENTAL HEALTH

2007 eMPLOYee SatiSfaCtiOn SurVeY

20142 1 Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Employees are valued at Touchstone Mental Health.

I enjoy working at Touchstone Mental Health.

2016

1Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

I feel I am part of the Touchstone Mental Health team.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

1616

5

Overall, I am satisfied with my salary. 2 11

15

6 2 Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Employees are recognized for good work performance.Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

10

19

43

Creating the Physical environmentThe physical environment is an important part of any healing environment. Below are some of its features.

NatureViews of nature relieve stress and enhance a sense of well-being, and serene outdoor areas provide peaceful retreats for staff, consumers and visitors alike. All sorts of connections to the natural world—aquariums, gardens and water elements such as pools and waterfalls—are beneficial. The courtyard that Touchstone Residential Treatment just created is an example of such a healing space.

Lighting The normal cycle of night and day and access to the full spectrum of light are essential to our regulation of stress and fatigue.

Color Color affects the emotional, physiological, psychological and spiritual well-being of people. For example, warm colors attract attention, create excitement, promote cheerfulness and stimulate action; cool colors relax and refresh, promote a peaceful, quiet atmosphere and encourage concentration

Art Art can celebrate life, allay individual’s fears and anxieties, amuse, encourage, educate and distract.

Physical Security The element of physical security is important given the world we live in today. Ensuring the safety of staff and consumers is a high priority.

Cultural Responsiveness A healing environment should be consistent with the regional and organizational cultures, including design elements and colors, textures and artwork.

TouCHSToNE MENTAL HEALTH

physical space for people to meet, connect and develop community. But the community members and the staff working with them to develop and sustain the programs create their true healing element.

The members decide when they will meet, what they will do together, how they will spend their funds and what they need to support development of a community and a healing environment. Members have developed integrity contracts and a community charter, and they work on defining member agreements about participation in the community.

They define their community as recovery-based and request that fellow members remain sober and healthy or seek external and internal support when they struggle with doing so. They reach out to each other when one member becomes ill or experiences difficult symptoms or interpersonal issues, and they offer support, encouragement and resources.

The members choose menus and share the responsibility for cooking, cleaning and planning events, and for communicating with each other about plans, problems or changes. They meet in large groups to share decision making and in smaller groups for activities, groups or meals. With minimal intervention, the community

dOnOrS 2007in Memory of Ernie Gunderson in

memory of Ken and Elaine Gunderson

in Memory of Cynthia riggs Elene AikenJennie Leskela, Douglas

Choate, and Aidan David and Karen MillerConnie and Bill RiggsDavid Sagula

in honor ofDon and Betty Cashin in

honor of Kathy CashinHolly and Tim Cashin in

honor of Kathy CashinCasey and Michelle

Cunningham in honor of Helen Raleigh

PAGE 5 Tou CHSToNE M ENTAL H EALTH

Charlotte Dittmer in honor of Christine and Allen Nelson

Julie Ryan and Barb Radtke in honor of the Intentional Community

Devona and Harley Swiggum in honor of Tami Lynn Swiggum

Ceil raleigh endowment fundBrian BergsRhonda Simpson BrownCharlotte Dittmer

individualsAnonymous (1)Sara Barron-LeerBirgit BirkelandLeslie and Michael

Connelly

Lyn and Michael GerdisMichael HenleyDianne JensenBrenda and Eric LantzKim MakieAllen NelsonJeannette NelsonLisa PattonConnie and Bill RiggsMargaret and Carl RoserMary and Ken Sutherland

Businesses and OrganizationsGreater Minnesota-

Dakotas Combined Federal Campaign

in Kind donationsIndividualsDeb DoffingMark HildmanGina KrayKim MakieRonna PuckCarol Williams

Businesses and OrganizationsMasterswitch ITMinnesota State FairSt. Paul Saints

Professional Baseball u. S. BankXcel Energy

heaLing enVirOnMent,members are developing healthy relationships, experiencing personal wholeness and practicing healthy lifestyles.

Members have developed and continue to work on creating a community that is therapeutic, without its being defined as a therapeutic community, without the connotations of groups, staff, programming or therapy. Instead, members come together to break bread, share stories, seek support, share holidays and make new memories.

Many talk about developing new friendships, about feeling safe and about experiencing a sense of belonging, a place of their own creation. Members continue to experience symptoms or struggle with their mental health. Some go to the hospital or need to take a break and enter a residential or treatment program to restore their mental or chemical health.

The difference between their past and present situations lies in the fact that they have a place to return, with peers and friends who welcome them, worry about them when they are gone and support their return and their recovery process.

Continued

Dental floss; toothbrushes & tooth paste; dental workDeodorantDonations for medication copaysFacial tissue, toilet paperGift certificates for new shoes, clothingShampoo & conditioner; hair care MultivitaminsYM or YWCA or health-club memberships

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COnSuMerS’ WiSh LiSt

Art supplies, including colored pencils or markers, craft kits, a latch hook for rug hooking, knitting yarnBus passesA fluteGift cards or certificates to coffee shops, McDonald’s, Target, CubHousehold products—dish soap, laundry soap, antistatic sheets for the dryer, paper towelsHousehold items—Flatware; rugs; table lamps, lamp shades; laundry baskets; TVs, DVD players; microwaves; firm pillows Long-distance phone cardsRecreational products—Magazine subscriptions, movie tickets, games, VCR tapes/DVDs, 10-speed bicycles; film; WalkmanPunch cards for the FuMC therapeutic poolFree or low cost veterinarian servicesA reliable used automobile

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PerSOnaL Care iteMS Or SerViCeS

Other iteMS

Copier paper, whiteCDs (blank PC) Garbage bags (40 gal & 12 gal)Laundry soap, dryer sheetsLaser printer, new Monitors, flat-panel Mouse, cordless (1 or more)Pens, black Services from a print shopSnow removal for residential sites

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Staff’S WiSh LiSt

Our MissionTouchstone Mental Health inspires hope, healing and well-being.

Creating the OrganizatiOnaL CuLtureEqually important to a healing environment is the organizational culture. The physical building reflects the values, beliefs and philosophy of the people responsible for delivering services.

At Touchstone Mental Health, we work with individuals as whole persons, integrating services and resources to support a healthy mind, body and spirit. We believe that the development of supportive communities is the most important element in our creation of healing environments. The primary goal of our Assisted Living Apartments and our Intentional Communities is the creation of such communities, but all our programs work to provide consumers with peer support as a way

of promoting healing beyond what our staff does in providing services.

Giving our consumers such community has produced some amazing results. At our first intentional community in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis, members have created their own web site to provide a virtual community. At Touchstone Residential Treatment, alumni put out their own newsletter to help continue the relationships they built while residents of this short-term program. We hope to foster such efforts in the future, because peer support is one of the best healing outcomes that we can encourage.

2829 uniVerSitY aVenue Se

Suite 400

MinneaPOLiS Mn 55414