About Hanbleceya

Hanbleceya is a long-term, residential treatment program designed to teach those afflicted with a chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression and dual diagnoses, the skills necessary to live a happy, healthy and independent life.

" Be the change you wish to see in the world" 

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Message From Kerry

Mental illness knows no bounds.  In the U.S. alone it affects 1 out of 4 people.  It does not discriminate based on ones sex, race, creed, color or national origin which is why 450 million people globally suffer from mental disorders.  This staggering statistic is also why the World Federation for Mental Health has declared its 2011 World Mental Health Day Campaign: The Great Push For Mental Health, with four stated ideological themes – unity, visibility, rights, and recovery.  We hope you find this newsletter edition helpful in bringing awareness to the cause and in finding ways to begin making a small difference in this global struggle.  Of course, please feel free to call us with any questions you may have.  We are here to help.   

 ~Kerry Paulson, Owner/Business Manager since 2005

Message From Karlyn

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is an international organization created in 1948.  Over the last 60+ years the WFMH has focused on the prevention of mental illness through its goals of increasing public awareness and improving attitudes about mental health through the process of public education and promoting the treatment and recovery of mental disorders.  This organization works with over 100 countries worldwide and operates largely through grassroots advocacy and public education.

World Mental Health Day is an initiative of the WFMH and is supported by the United Nations.  This annual event typically occurs in early October and is observed through various local, district, national and international programs and activities.  This often includes public service announcements, educational events, health fairs and conferences.  This year, the World Mental Health Congress of the WFMH is holding an international conference in Cape Town, South Africa in October.  The theme of the conference, “African Footprint in Global Mental Health” plans on addressing topics related to mental health challenges in under-resourced areas of the world.

On a more local level, a consumer-oriented web site has been created, called the Network of Care for Behavioral Health (http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/mh/home/index.cfm).  This website is an in-depth resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health.  It includes various articles on mental health-related issues designed to help increase public awareness and educate people on both local and regional resources.  As part of their commitment to those in the behavioral-health community, the SD Network of Care has partnered with several organizations, such as NAMI and NIMH to offer a variety of free wellness and recovery trainings and workbooks.

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”  ~World Health Organization, 1948

~Dr. Karlyn Pleasants, Owner/Co-Program Director, a member of the Hanbleceya Community since 1997

Community Member Forum

My name is Erika and I am twenty nine years old.  I came to Hanbleceya about three years ago from Japan where I was born.  I had just graduated from a university in Japan and came straight here after suffering from a mental illness since 2001.  My family and I had been looking for help but couldn’t find the proper treatment in Japan.  We had been looking for a place like Hanbleceya.  Once I was admitted to Hanbleceya everything was one day at a time. 

After some time in the hospital while my meds were being adjusted, I came into the program and started groups, therapy sessions and living in housing.  Everything was new and I had to get adjusted to it.  It wasn’t easy though.  I initially bumped heads with staff and began acting rude and I was isolating a lot. That’s where my treatment really began.  I had to face my problems and think about structures to adjust my behavior.  It took me a long time to realize that staff was just helping me face my problems and that I couldn’t continue to be rude and isolate.  After awhile, I finally got it. 

Being at Hanbleceya is all about community.  We function and work together as a team.  There is a culture and everybody participates in supporting each other and building relationships to strengthen the community.  I think one unique thing about our community is that a lot of the stuff that takes place or is part of Hanbleceya and its culture was originally thought of by clients.

I have been here about three years and I just got a job but I still have a lot more to do.  My goal is to have a job, be independent and live on my own.  I believe Hanbleceya is always by my side to help me every step of the way.  I am very grateful to be here.  I look forward to my future and continuing to manage my illness with what I have learned so far at Hanbleceya.

~Erika S, a member of the Hanbleceya community since July 2008

CD CORNER

National Recovery Month

September is a nationally recognized month focused on the long term treatment and recovery of addiction and mental health disorders. National Recovery Month is a national observance that strives to educate Americans on the fact that addiction and mental health treatment and recovery can enable those with a substance abuse or mental disorder to live healthy and rewarding lives. Now in its 22^nd year, National Recovery Month honors the dedication and continued progress made by those in recovery just as we would celebrate those managing cancer, hypertension or heart disease. National Recovery Month promotes the message that recovery in all forms is possible and that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

Being that you are reading this article means that you and your family have taken the first step, many times the most difficult step, in providing your loved one with the utmost effective treatment for co-occurring disorders. We, at Hanbleceya, focus on the treatment of many of todays most difficult, challenging and baffling of addictive disorders, such as various chemical dependencies, gambling, and sex and love addictions. Providing initial, as well as, continued support throughout treatment, participation in family counseling and modifying our roles in our family systems can be as important as our loved one’s journey throughout their individual treatment.

National Recovery Month is a time to celebrate the successes of so many people who have learned to manage their illnesses and to laud those who continue to provide support to those afflicted with addiction and mental health disorders. With the continued support of family, counselors, self-help groups and treatment professionals, we can all succeed in conquering addiction. Recovery is possible and can be reality!

“People are hungry for the message of hope and life. What are you broadcasting?” – Morgan Brittany

~Christopher Bennett, Asst. Chemical Dependency  Coordinator,a member of the Hanbleceya Community since 2009

For more information on National Recovery Month and for reference purposes, please see- www.recoverymonth.gov

 Mental Health: Strengthening Our Response

Key facts

• More than 450 million people suffer from mental disorders. Many more have mental problems.
• Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health.
• Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders.
• Mental health is determined by socio-economic, biological and environmental factors.
• Cost-effective intersectoral strategies and interventions exist to promote mental health.

Mental health is an integral and essential component of health. The WHO constitution states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." An important consequence of this definition is that mental health is described as more than the absence of mental disorders or disabilities.

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. In this positive sense, mental health is the foundation for individual well-being and the effective functioning of a community.

Determinants of mental health

Multiple social, psychological, and biological factors determine the level of mental health of a person at any point of time. For example, persistent socio-economic pressures are recognized risks to mental health for individuals and communities. The clearest evidence is associated with indicators of poverty, including low levels of education.

Poor mental health is also associated with rapid social change, stressful work conditions, gender discrimination, social exclusion, unhealthy lifestyle, risks of violence and physical ill-health and human rights violations.

There are also specific psychological and personality factors that make people vulnerable to mental disorders. Lastly, there are some biological causes of mental disorders including genetic factors and imbalances in chemicals in the brain.

Strategies and interventions

Mental health promotion involves actions to create living conditions and environments that support mental health and allow people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. These include a range of actions to increase the chances of more people experiencing better mental health.

A climate that respects and protects basic civil, political, socio-economic and cultural rights is fundamental to mental health promotion. Without the security and freedom provided by these rights, it is very difficult to maintain a high level of mental health.

National mental health policies should not be solely concerned with mental disorders, but should also recognize and address the broader issues which promote mental health. This includes mainstreaming mental health promotion into policies and programes in government and business sectors including education, labor, justice, transport, environment, housing, and welfare, as well as the health sector.

Promoting mental health depends largely on intersectoral strategies. Specific ways to promote mental health include:

• early childhood interventions (e.g. home visits for pregnant women, pre-school psycho-social activities, combined nutritional and psycho-social help for disadvantaged populations);
• support to children (e.g. skills building programes, child and youth development programes);
• socio-economic empowerment of women (e.g. improving access to education and microcredit schemes);
• social support for elderly populations (e.g. befriending initiatives, community and day centers for the aged);
• programes targeted at vulnerable groups, including minorities, indigenous people, migrants and people affected by conflicts and disasters (e.g. psycho-social interventions after disasters);
• mental health promotional activities in schools (e.g. programes supporting ecological changes in schools and child-friendly schools);
• mental health interventions at work (e.g. stress prevention programes);
• housing policies (e.g. housing improvement);
• violence prevention programes (e.g. community policing initiatives); and
• community development programes (e.g. 'Communities That Care' initiatives, integrated rural development).

WHO response

WHO supports governments in the goal of strengthening and promoting mental health. WHO has evaluated evidence for promoting mental health and is working with governments to disseminate this information and to integrate the effective strategies into policies and plans.

More specifically, WHO's mental health Gap Action Programe (mhGAP) aims at scaling up services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders for countries especially with low- and middle-income. When adopted and implemented, tens of millions can be treated for depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, prevented from suicide and begin to lead normal lives – even where resources are scarce.

For more information contact:

WHO Media centre
Telephone: +41 22 791 2222
E-mail: mediainquiries@who.int

 Schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy, dementia, alcohol dependence and other mental, neurological and sub­stance-use (MNS) disorders constitute 13% of the global burden of disease (Table 1), surpassing both cardiovascular disease and cancer. Depression is the third leading contributor to the global disease burden, and alcohol and illicit drug use account for more than 5% . Every seven seconds, someone develops dementia, costing the world up to US $609 billion in 2009. By 2020, an estimated 1.5 million people will die each year by suicide, and between 15 and 30 million will make the attempt.

Did you know……………….about Global Mental Health??

• Mental illness can happen to anyone.  It affects people of all ages and all backgrounds.
• There are more than 200 forms of mental illness.  Many people suffer from more than one type at the same time. 
• Mental illness is common.  Each year more than 50 million people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness. 
• A World Health Organization study has revealed that 4 of the top 10 causes of disability in the developing countries are mental disorders.
• According to WHO, more than 450 million people or 12 percent of the world’s population suffer from mental disorders.  

Resources:

• NAMI Multicultural Action Center - 

This Center works to focus attention on system reform to ensure access to culturally competent services and treatment for all Americans and to help and support families of color who are dealing with mental illness.

• WHO - World Health Organization -

is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health Organization, which was an agency of the League of Nations. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.

• NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health -

is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness through research.