Housing Lane: Unveiling One Woman’s Mental Health Struggles in Colusa County, CA
COLUSA COUNTY RECOVERY
Virtual Recovery: Anytime, Anywhere
We are committed to helping members of our community find meaning and hope in recovery, and a new way to live.
WELLNESS:
The word wellness is often used as an all-encompassing term that represents good health and mindful living. Even though we all use this word without a second thought, the actual core concept really does deserve more elaboration. According to the National Wellness Institute (NWI), wellness is “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” To further illuminate this definition, NWI describes wellness as having six dimensions, which are:
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Emotional
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Intellectual
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Occupational
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Physical
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Social
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Spiritual
Self-Care Toolbox
Virtual Community Wellness Resource
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A.I. Powered Support At Your Fingertips
Recovery Support Ally
Addiction specialists Paul Brethen and Tara Schiller co-founded SoberBuddy, an evidence-based drug and alcohol recovery chatbot that supports people struggling with addiction. LINK
Free & low cost plans
AMY MORIN
Psychotherapist | LCSW
Amy Morin is a licensed clinical social worker, instructor at Northeastern University, editor-in-chief of Verywell Mind, and an international bestselling author: 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do series.
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10 signs you need better boundaries (12 Mins)
Times Are Changing
By 2025 virtual recovery services are expected to play an increasingly important role in recovery services and mental health; including teletherapy, FDA approved digital therapeutics, A.I powered chatbots, a rise in confidential peer-support service providers, online medication-assisted treatment and virtual support groups, will become more widely available and accessible, allowing individuals to receive help from the comfort of their own homes. These services will provide greater flexibility, privacy, and anonymity to those seeking support utilizing technology based options.
Benefits of Practicing Yoga
Yoga incorporates breathing exercises, meditation and poses designed to encourage relaxation, promote better self-care and reduce stress. Practicing yoga is said to come with numerous benefits for both mental and physical health. The U.S. military, the National Institutes of Health and other large organizations are listening to — and incorporating — scientific validation of yoga’s value in health care. Numerous studies show yoga’s benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, chronic pain and other specialties.
Take Your Dog For A Walk
Dog owners enjoy numerous health and social benefits by walking their dog several times a week. Benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, stronger muscles and bones (built up by walking regularly), and decreased stress. A regular walk is vitally important for your pet's health too.
Affirmations Are Dynamic and Practical
Positive affirmations are positive phrases or statements used to challenge and eliminate negative or unhelpful thoughts that would hold one back. Positive affirmations are widely accepted and well-established in psychological studies.
Peer support plays a critical role in helping individuals sustain their recovery, prevent relapse, and find purpose, connection, and belonging in recovery.
TOOL SHED
Clean and Sober Nation is our drug and alcohol peer-support recovery group on Facebook that was launched in August of 2022 by our founder, Susan Wagenaar.
The Importance of Mental and Emotional Health 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.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), "Recovery from mental disorders and substance use disorders is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential." In other words, true recovery goes beyond simply stopping substance use; it involves healing and growth in all areas of life.
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.
Screening Tools
In 2014, Mental Health America (MHA) launched our online mental health screening: a collection of online, free, confidential, anonymous, and scientifically validated screening tools to help individuals understand and learn more about their mental health. Since then, over 15 million screens have been taken—over 5 million in 2021 alone. Over 15,000 are taken per day. This makes this the largest data set ever collected from a help-seeking population.