What is Mindfulness?

The word mindfulness is one which has recently found its way into our daily vocabulary. It is also a word which has become over-used as well as misused. Often it is used as an acronym for

“awareness.” Certainly it is important to become aware of our thoughts and feelings but it is important to do some-thing constructive with this awareness.

This is where the true definition of mindfulness is made. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a Buddhist psychiatrist who has been practicing mindfulness meditation in excess of four decades, has developed what has become the most widely ac-cepted definition of mindfulness. Kabat-Zinn’s definition says, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmental-ly.”

The use of this tool has become popu-

lar as a way to help relieve the stress and tension that is pervasive throughout our society today. It is a practice which, if practiced daily, can help us to achieve calmness and enlightenment.

Increased and poorly managed stress can become destructive and can negatively impact our mental health as well as our physical health. Its can contribute to a wide range of physical health problems such as poor sleep and weight gain that contribute to increased rates of depres-sion and anxiety.

Mindfulness is not hokum. There is a tremendous amount of research that indicates the use of mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention has been prov-en to benefit individuals struggling with the day to day stresses of life. The use of therapeutic tools such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness Meditation and Mindfulness-Based Cog-nitive Therapy are just a few of the more widely known therapies that have proven effective in the management of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

The “catch” to the use of mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention is similar to the “catch” of any other intervention: In order for the intervention to be benefi-cial we must practice or use it every day. Like a medication, if we do not “take it as prescribed” but only when we feel we need it, we may find it is not beneficial.

It is important for the successful treat-ment of mental health issues to follow the “prescription” of our therapist or we otherwise find our symptoms not im-proving and our life becoming increas-ingly stressful.

Vol. 1, No 8 Winter 2016

The Wellness Connection The Newsle t ter of the Niagara Wellness Connec t ion Center

Kevin Burgess is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has worked at Niagara Falls Memorial since January 2014.

Kevin has a master’s degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Kevin has spent his entire career in the city of Niagara Falls, having previously worked four years for a local agency that serves the developmentally disabled. Here at Memorial, Kevin is the newly appointed Lead Social Worker for the outpatient behavior health clinic, working in both the Continuing Day Treat-ment (CDT) and Outpatient Mental Health programs. When working in the CDT program, Kevin facilitates psychotherapy and educational groups, screens new clients and coordinates referrals. Individuals who attend treatment may benefit from learning about mental health, stress management, coping skills, managing daily life struggles, art therapy and anger management.

In the Outpatient Mental Health clinic, Kevin will be screening new clients and assisting the Director of Social Work in the clinic’s day-to-day operations.

Christopher Kijowski, LSCSW-R

Director of Social Work

Meet Kevin Burgess, LMSW Lead Outpatient Therapist

The Wellness Connection Center offers Outpatient Behavioral Health Treatment, Primary Care Services, free Health, Wellness and Fitness Classes and various Community Supports to anyone in the community. For a list of classes and services please go to our website at www.nfmmc.org or call (716) 278-4820 for more information.

Page 2 The Wellness Connection

By Heather Johnson

It can be difficult for those with mental illness to thrive during the sunless, cold, bleak days of winter.

We feel compelled to stay in our homes, not wanting to venture out-side. And who can blame us? But, we need to be aware of our health and what we can do to stay healthy and embrace the new year upon us.

Watching what we eat, drink and do to our bodies can increase our overall mood and keep us on our road to recovery. The thought of exercising during the cold months is not a welcomed practice as I would

rather stay in bed and sleep the day away. However, exercising helps and it doesn't have to be strenuous.

If aerobic activity is too difficult, consider stretching throughout the day. Attempt to keep your body warm and limber to avoid muscle weakness and fatigue. It is also a good way to meditate to keep your mind clear and your stress levels down.

On days when the weather is not so bad, try to go for small walks even if it just down the street or around the block. Meeting up with friends or a hot chocolate also helps chase those blues away!

Keeping a journal is also a great idea. You can write down goals you have for the new year and decide how to achieve them at your own pace. Sometimes, changing our habits is not easy and requires us to take small steps. And, if you miss a step, that is okay too.

We need to learn self care, and if we feel we failed, we need to under-stand that is okay too. Just being again! That is how we find the strength to keep going every day. Learn to practice kindness to your-self and know that no one is per-fect. If we falter, we just start over. Let's make this new year the best year yet!

A New Year a New You: A Peer’s Perspective

Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives. While different individuals may have different views of what spiritualism is, it is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence. This leads one to strive to-ward a state of harmony with oneself and others while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world.

Are you engaged in the process of spiritual wellness? Evaluate your own spiritual wellness with this quiz: 1. Do I make time for relaxation in my day? 2. Do I make time for meditation or prayer? 3. Do my values guide my decisions and actions? 4. Am I accepting of the views of others? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve your spiritual wellness. Please join us at the Wellness Connec-tion Center for our new Women’s Spiritual Wellness Class, which is of-fered on the second and fourth Friday of every month from 11a.m.-12 noon. This class is free to anyone in the com-munity. Please call (716) 278-4541 for more information.

The Primary Care Center is staffed by Rajinder Bajwa, M.D. and Nancy The Primary Care Center is staffed by

Rajinder Bajwa, M.D. (top) and Kathleen

Ventry, NP (bottom)

Primary Care News We are pleased to announce that our Primary Care Practice at the Wellness Connection Center continues to grow.

Dr. Rajinder Bajwa and Nurse Practitioner Kathleen Ventry are aacepting new patients.

We strive to provide integrated outpatient behavioral health and primary care services all at one location. Please contact us at (716) 278-4820 to schedule a timely appointment.

Spiritual Wellness at the Wellness Connection Center

Joyce Sconiers, MPA Wellness Connection Center

Care Coordinator

Page 3 The Wellness Connection

A New Year, A New You! Want to Quit Smoking? We Can Help... American Lung Association FREEDOM FROM SMOKING Classes

Thursdays from 2– 3:30 p.m. For information, please call (716) 285-2382

This free classes are a service of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s U54 program

Freedom From Smoking Classes at the Wellness Connection Center are facilitated by Communi-ty Health Advocate Charles Walker. Mr. Walker has been with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for eight years as its manager of Community Outreach. He was trained as a facilitator for

the Freedom from Smoking Program by the American Lung Association.

We give you the tools to quit smoking.

Get Well Stay Well Program Earns Excellence Award

The National Council for Behavioral Health will honor Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s Get Well/Stay Well team March 8 at the Council’s annual conference in Las Vegas.

Get Well/Stay Well connects primary care patients determined to need behavioral health care to a collaborative care professional located within the Summit Family Care Center.

Integrating behavioral health with primary care services at a single location gives seniors convenience access for all of their health care needs. To learn more about the Get Well/Stay Well program, please call 297-4906 or visit www.nfmmc.org.

In July 2016, the Niagara Wellness Connection Center will be partnering with the Niagara County Office of the Aging to offer a Powerful Tools Seminar for caregivers who are providing direct care to loved ones. For more information, please call 278-4820.

Sanjay Chadha, VP Service Line Operations

How can the Health Home help?

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Health Home is a New York State funded care management program. The program is open to eligible Medicaid and/or Medicare-Medicaid (dual) individuals who meet the following criteria:

Have two chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease etc., or Have a serious mental health condition, or Have an HIV diagnosis

Each enrolled client will have his or her own Care Manager, who will assist them with linkages to food banks, primary care, mental health services and substance abuse counseling. The Care Manager will also assist with supports such as completion of Department of Social Services paperwork, Social Security paperwork, job searches, housing searches, support and linkage to transportation. This is a free service to all Medicaid recipients who meet the above criteria.

The overall goal of the Health Home Program is to empower our clients to maintain a healthy lifestyle by assisting them with overcoming barriers to a healthy lifestyle.

A Health Home representative is available at the Wellness Connection Center every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4 p.m.

Call 278-4647 for more information or to enroll.

Feeling Alone? Need Help Coping? Experience the difference

We care about

your convenience.

Counseling appointments, doctor

appointments …

We care about your health.

Our Wellness Care Coordinator

will help you identify

the services you need.

We care about you —

body and soul.

Fitness classes, smoking cessation .

. . and Financial assistance are all

available in our beautiful new

facility.

Our licensed mental health

therapists, physicians, nurses and staff are here — just for you.

Call 278-4541

Niagara Wellness

Connection Center

Having trouble concentrating or

adjusting to a major change in your

life? Feeling hopeless or helpless?

We can help.

Your wellness needs

all under one roof

Individual and group therapy

Primary health care

Education programs

Financial and insurance

assistance

Fitness activities

A special place just for you —

supportive, caring

and confidential

Call us at 278-4541 to schedule an appointment

or a tour.

Niagara Wellness Connection Center Community News

In November 2015, the Wellness Connection Center ran a toy drive to help support a local family for the Christmas Holiday. Staff throughout the hospital, including Inpatient Behavioral Health, Health Insurance Marketplace Navigators, Outpatient Behavioral Health and Primary Care teams all came together to donate.

In December our Inpatient Behavioral Health staff, Outpatient Behavioral Health staff and Primary Care staff volunteered at the Community Missions of Niagara Community Kitchen providing warm meals to those in need.

The Wellness Connection Center works to link those in need and give back to the local community.

The Wellness Connection Center is funded in part by a

grant from Univera Healthcare.

This program is supported by the Niagara County Department

of Mental Health, New York State Office of Mental Health

and the New York State Health Department.