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 THE GREEN EDITION!
Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month
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Did you know that May is National Mental Health Awareness Month?
The CDC defines mental health conditions as:
"Health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination of those) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning."
Did You Know...
* 1 in 4 young adults has a mental health disorder
* More young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza and chronic lung disease combined.
*90% of those who commit suicide had an underlying mental health condition.
Knowing the facts and spreading awareness could mean the difference between life or death for an individual.
Please join Brighter, Stronger Foundation as we strive to erase the stigma associated with mental health disorders!
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Recognizing the Signs
Serious mental health disorders such as, Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar Disorder, rarely happen "out of the blue". Our bodies give us warning signs, just as if we are a vehicle needing maintenance. What we have to do is learn to acknowledge and act on them.
If several of these symptoms are occurring, this could be an indicator that a serious condition is developing:
*Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in others.
*An unusual drop in functioning, especially at school or work, such as quitting sports, failing in school, or difficulty performing familiar tasks.
*A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one's surroundings; a sense of unreality.
*Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling.
*Uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior.
*Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or deterioration in personal hygiene.
*Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings or "mood swings."
If you believe that you are in need of mental health services, call BSF TODAY! We have various programs and services that are available to you, as well as, a list of quality therapists that we work with!! Don't wait another day, call NOW!!
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Therapeutic Integration Program Celebrates Autism Awareness
Month!!
The Therapeutic Integration Program celebrated Autism Awareness month in a big way!! We at BSF believe in celebrating the unique abilities of all individuals with Autism!
Here is a recap of activities that took place during this exciting month:
*T shirt Designing Activities
*Egg Hunt
*Field Trip to Abrakadoodle
*Autism Awareness Party
The center was alive with the laughter of individual's engaged in all of these activities, designed with them in mind!!
Thanks for making this Autism Awareness Month a memorable one!!!
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Adult Day Program Undergoes an Attitude Adjustment
For the month of April, the Adult Day Group focused on changing their attitudes regarding physical fitness. This is a goal on our client's treatment plans and we wanted to helped them address them with a positive mindset. The group engaged in the following activities:
*Calisthenic training with Personal Trainer, Keith of GLK Defined Fitness
*Healthy Cooking Demonstrations
*Aquatic Resistance Training
*Zumba
All activities were created with the goal that they could be carried out at home or at the pool independently.
If you are an adult or have an adult client in our PRP program and are interested in these weekly groups, please call the office at 410-485-7555 and we will register you TODAY!!
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Onsite Therapeutic Youth Groups Change the Way They Think, Feel, and Act
 Do you remember that feeling of excitement and delight upon finding the hidden eggs or items during a scavenger hunt? Or being amazed at witnessing a seemingly impossible act during a magic trick? We wanted to provide that same experience for our youth through various "thinking outside of the box" therapeutic activities and discussions. Some of these activities included: *Hunt for Happiness *Therapeutic Magic Tricks *Egg-balancing activity
The goal was to help our youth understand that, often how we think determines how we feel, which determines how we act. If individuals want to be successful then they must adopt a positive way of thinking (sometimes out of the box), feeling, and behaving!! Check BSF's calendar for this month's dates and times and join us! |
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NAMI WALKS MD
Have you joined the Brighter, Stronger Foundation team yet?
No worries, there is still time!! Please visit our team website at:
Walk Details:
Date: Saturday, May 31st
Time: 3pm-6pm
Location: West Shore Park, the Inner Harbors 'front door' located between the Science Center and the Visitor Center
Hope that you will be a part of our team and/or donate to this great cause!!
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BSF Calendar of Events
Mark your calendars!!
Click here for BSF's May calendar of events!!
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Fun Family Activities
So the weather has been less than kind to us, but we believe that there are plenty of sunny days ahead!! Time to get out and enjoy time with family and friends!
Check below for a listing of activities going on in your neighborhood!
May 1st
An Adaptation of The Wizard of Oz! - Presented by The Auburn School. All sales benefit the Scholarship Fund. Early bird discounts available. The Auburn School, 1710 Dulaney Valley Road Lutherville, 6:15 p.m., Reserv Reqd. Tickets Reqd. 410-321-4799, www.theauburnschool.org/baltimore.
Moving Out! - Preparing Young Adults with Disabilities for Independence: Moving Out! This free workshop will explore the ins and outs of living independently, housing options, finances, healthcare, and more. Parents will learn how to take the first step in planning for their young adult's housing independence. BCPS Greenwood Campus, Building E - Room 123, 6901 Charles Street, Towson, 7- 9 p.m., Reserv Reqd. by 4/30/14 410-887-5443, www.bcps.org/offices/special_ed/parent-resources.html.
May 3rd
Baltimore Hope Factory - Volunteers can help assemble donated items into "Happy Hope Bags", to be distributed by the Message of Hope Foundation to children throughout the state and country who are hospitalized for chronic or life-threatening health conditions. Wegmans, Columbia, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., www.messageofhopefoundation.org/baltimore_hope_factory.
Baltimore City Department of Social Services Family Fun Day-May is National Foster Parent Appreciation month. In an effort to say thank you to the Baltimore City Department of Social Services Foster / Adoptive parents for sharing their homes to children in out of home care, BCDSS is hosting a "Family Fun Day" for our Resource Parents and children. 12pm-4pm at 3007 Biddle St. Baltimore, MD 21213 in the parking lot and cafeteria.
East Baltimore Health and Wellness Fair 2014- Elev8 Baltimore invites you to their annual community-wide health fair from 11am-3pm at Collington Square Elementary Middle School.
May 5th
NAMI Support Group - A free support group to families and caregivers of those with mental illness. The group provides a caring atmosphere to share experiences and learn important coping skills. UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center on the third floor, Glen Burnie, 7- 9 p.m., 410-553-8070, www.mybwmc.org.
May 7th
Enhancing Healthy Family Relationships- Free Workshop - Parenting a child with emotional or behavioral difficulties can be stressful and hard on any relationship. Ways to preserve and strengthen caregivers' personal relationships will be explored. All caregivers welcome, fathers, mothers and grandparents too! BCPS-Greenwood Campus, Building E - Room 123, 6901 Charles St., Towson, 7- 9 p.m., Reserv Reqd. by 05/06/14 410-887-5443, www.bcps.org/offices/special_ed/parent-resources.html.
May 8th
Spring Resource Fair-The William S. Baer School invites you to their annual Spring Family Resource Fair from 10am-12pm at 2001 N. Warwick Ave.
May 10th
Y Family Tea and Picnic - This family-fun event will feature tea and a picnic, and arts and crafts to celebrate Mother's Day. Event times and activities vary by location, so please contact your local Family Center Y for specific details. Y of Central Maryland Family Centers, Tickets Reqd. www.ymaryland.org.
Dream Girls Mentoring Program's 2nd Annual Community Baby Shower-The Community Baby Shower is open to all young parents between the ages of 14-25 who have children between the ages of 0-4 years old. Registration is FREE. Participants will participate in baby shower games and educational workshops, win free giveaways, receive literature from various city and health agencies, and receive FREE baby items!!! Free food and dessert will also be provided. This is a baby shower you don't want to miss!! Registration can be found on our website at www.dreamgirlsmentoring.org/events. Make sure you tell a friend to tell a friend!! 12pm-3:30pm, The Humanim 1701 N. Gay St. 21213.
Mother's Day Weekend - Free hayrides for all mothers and grandmothers accompanied by a child. Happy Mother's Day to all our wonderful mothers. Also, enjoy the hands-on experience of gem mining. Purchase a bucket full of enriched ore, and use the water flume to discover gems you can take home with you. Fun for all ages. Clark's Elioak Farm, Ellicott City, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Ages: 1- 99, Tickets Reqd. 410-730-4049, www.clarklandfarm.com.
Mother's Day Buffet - Give Mom a real treat and bring her out to the Mother's Day Buffet. All you can eat. Children under 4 eat free. Last seating is 3 p.m. North Baltimore Plaza Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Ages: 0- 100, by May 10th Tickets Reqd. 410-252-7373, www.northbaltimoreplazahotel.com.
May 16th
Target $2 Family Fun Night - Join us on the third Friday of each month! General admission is only two dollars per person from 4 pm - 8 pm at the door. Port Discovery Children's Museum, Baltimore, 4- 8 p.m., Tickets Reqd. 410-727-8120, www.portdiscovery.org.
The Arc Baltimore Health and Wellness Fair- Come join the staff of the Arc for their annual health and wellness fair from 11am-1pm. The event will take place in The Arc's parking lot, 7215 York Rd.
May 23rd
Princess Spa Night Out - Parents, it's your time to go celebrate,take in a movie, or go have a relaxing dinner. Drop your Princess off for 3 1/2 hrs of spa fun! Your Princess will receive one spa service(mani, pedi, or chocolate facial), do a fun craft, watch a movie, dance, play the Wii and do karaoke. Dinner included. KupCake Spa for Gurlz, Pikesville, 5:30- 9 p.m., Ages: 5- 13, Reserv Reqd. Tickets Reqd. 410-484-1980, www.kupcakespaforgurlz.com.
May 31st
NAMI Walks MD- May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Help us put an exclamation point on May and sign-up at no-cost for the 2014 NAMIWalk TODAY! Time, 3pm-6pm. Location, West Shore Park, the Inner Harbors 'front door' located between the Science Center and the Visitor Center. www.namiwalks.org
DPsiE "Mommy and Me" Craft Day-Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. is hosting a day of arts and crafts for women and children. This day will be filled with crafts, fun, and fellowship with the ladies of DPsiE all for FREE. Supplies will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Light refreshments will be served. Woodlawn High School, 1801 Woodlawn Dr., Baltimore, 1- 3 p.m., Ages: 0- 100, Reserv Reqd. by 05/27/2014 410-793-6316, www.dpsiebaltimore.com.
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We thank you for your time and please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Have a positive and productive day!
The Staff of Brighter, Stronger Foundation
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