COLUSA COUNTY RECOVERY
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MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Mental Health
Did you know that more than 49 million Americans struggles with mental illness; and that more than 1 in 4 adults living with serious mental illnesses, also struggles with substance use challenge.
Mental illnesses can affect people of any age, race, religion, or income. A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily functioning.
Your mental health — your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — impacts every area of your life. Having positive mental health allows you to effectively deal with the daily stressors of life, communicate well with others, make healthy decisions and live life to its fullest.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services & Mental Health America.
Support For California Families | Free App's
In January 2024, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched two free apps, Soluna and Brightlife Kids, to provide behavioral health services to young Californians and their caregivers. These apps are available to all California families, regardless of income, health insurance, or immigration status.
Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
A substance use challenge is a condition that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to a person’s inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe.
Individuals who experience a substance use issue during their lives may also experience a co-occurring mental condition and vice versa. Co-occurring conditions can include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia, among others.
Treatment, Support, and Services
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES (BHS)
Colusa County's dynamic BHS provider offers timely, quality, and professional outpatient treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). They provide a whole-person care approach, including evidence-based groups, individual therapy, case management, medication-assisted treatment, and assistance with entering a residential rehab, as well as many other beneficial programs and mental health services, not listed here.
SAFE HAVEN DROP-IN CENTER
Beyond traditional treatment options, BHS also manages Safe Haven, a peer-supported recovery and wellness drop-in center. Safe Haven is a vital community resource supporting adults from diverse backgrounds, including seniors, vets, lbgtq+, justice-involved individuals, and community members at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, by connecting them with essential services and housing assistance, in addition to featuring a food pantry, free internet access, a clothing closet, and laundry services. Safe Haven also offers a comprehensive range of person centered, strength-based groups, including life skills training, wellness principles, arts & crafts, self love, and relapse prevention groups.
Visit BHS website to learn more or call them at 530-458-0520, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
FREE TO DOWNLOAD
SELF EMPOWERMENT BOOKLET
Tips on how to choose a mental health provider and more. Free booklet from the Board of Behavioral Services in California.
Mental and Emotional Health Resilience in Sobriety
(Colusa County Recovery) - Achieving and maintaining sobriety is a complex journey that requires ongoing commitment and support. While abstaining from substance use is a critical component of recovery, it is equally important to address the underlying issues that may have led to addiction in the first place. This is where mental and emotional health comes into play.
One of the most important aspects of mental and emotional health in sobriety is developing personal resilience. This includes building coping skills and healthy habits to manage stress, anxiety, and other difficult emotions that can trigger a relapse. As Susan Wagenaar, founder of Colusa County Recovery, points out, "In order to achieve long-term sobriety, individuals must focus on their well-being and personal resilience, which involves developing healthy habits that support their recovery journey."
“In addition to building resilience, addressing mental and emotional health issues through therapy, drug counseling, and support groups can also be crucial in maintaining sobriety,” says Wagenaar. “This can help individuals process past traumas or negative experiences that may have contributed to their addiction, as well as develop healthy communication skills and coping strategies.”
Ultimately, the journey to sobriety is a unique and personal one, but it is important to remember that mental and emotional health are integral components of the recovery process. With the right support, resources, and focus on mental and emotional health, individuals can achieve lasting sobriety and live their best life.
SELF-CARE
The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” According to this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed. It’s all the steps an individual can take to manage stressors in his or her life and take care of his or her own health and well-being.
Positive Mental Health Quotes
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“Your illness is not your identity. Your chemistry is not your character.” — Rick Warren
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You are worthy of love and respect. You are beautiful, gifted, and intelligent." — Russell T Davies.
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"Life is not always perfect. Like a road, it has many bends, ups and down, but that’s its beauty." -Amit Ray
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“One small crack does not mean that you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.” — Linda Poindexter
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“Take your time healing, as long as you want. Nobody else knows what you’ve been through. How could they know how long it will take to heal you?” — Abertoli