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JUNE 2012 VOLUME 9
TRANSITION AGE
ADVISORY GROUP ......... 5
Wellness
Successful recovery from mental health and substance abuse disorders
often require a holistic approach to wellness. It is believed individuals
who achieve long-term recovery address all areas of their lives which
include physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Your health is
greatly impacted by your lifestyle and your environment.
Wellness: A Holistic Approach
Physical wellness includes aspects of your life such as diet and exercise. A balanced diet is obviously an important component of wellness. Obesity continues to grow and leads to many other problems and illnesses. In addition to a healthy diet, exercise is important as well. A minimum of 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week, of moderate exercise is recommended for adults. Be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Maintaining a healthy body and healthy weight not only leaves you feeling physically well but also improves emotional health. Also, obtaining a primary care physician and having regular visits with your doctor are just as important. If an illness does occur, early detection can provide good outcomes.
Emotional wellness includes the ability to cope with the problems that
often result in stress. Major life events, happy or sad, can create stress and it is often thought this stress may be responsible for many il lnesses. Relaxation is one way you can reduce stress. Everyone relaxes in a different manner, whether it is through listening to music, painting, journaling, or going for a walk. Also, utilizing your support system helps reduce stress and often provides positive feedback and solutions to difficulties you may encounter.
Spiritual wellness is personal and involves an individual’s values and beliefs that provide a purpose in their lives. It is important for everyone to explore what they believe is their own sense of meaning and purpose. Exploring spiritual wellness may involve meditation, prayer, affirmations, or specific spiritual practices that support your connection to a higher power or
Words for
Words for Wellness is an annual publication from Value Behavioral Health of PA, Inc., an affiliate of ValueOptions®
VOLUME 9 JUNE 2012
DEFINING CHILDHOOD
OBESITY ....................... 2
NATURAL SUPPORTS ... 4
belief system. Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality. Holistic wellness is an effective approach in taking care of your “whole” self. It is recognizing what affects one part of the system affects the whole person. It is important to keep in mind the consequences of your habits and actions. However, you have control over most of these factors and you can make choices that lead to improved health and well-being.
HELPFUL STEPS TO STOP
SMOKING ...................... 3
FAMILY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE .................. 3 VBH-PA TOLL-FREE
NUMBERS ..................... 4
TEENS: IS YOUR DATING
RELATIONSHIP HEALTHY? 5
All Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania members are sent an annual newsletter
whether you are using behavioral health services or not. Information in this newsletter
will help you understand any changes in your behavioral health benefits for 2012.
NEW VOTER ID LAW ... 2
Volume 9 Page 2
Childhood obesity is the result of
eating too many calories and not getting
enough physical activity. Approximately
17% (or 12.5 million) of children and
adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.
High calorie, prepared and prepackaged
snack foods and fast food have
contributed to children being overweight.
According to the Center for Disease
Control, childhood obesity can have an
unfavorable effect on a child’s body in a
variety of ways. Obese children are more
likely to have high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, breathing
problems, such as sleep apnea, and
a s t h m a , j o i n t p r o b l e m s a n d
musculoskeletal discomfort, fatty liver
disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal
reflux (heartburn). Obese children and
adolescents have a greater risk of social
and psychological problems, such as
discrimination and poor self-esteem,
which can continue into adulthood.
About 55 million school-aged
children are enrolled in schools across the
United States. Many eat meals and snacks
there. Childhood obesity has become
more prevalent with the addition of snack
vending machines and school stores.
Fundraising events, school parties, and
sporting events also can add to the
consumption of unwanted calories.
Many children fail to exercise
because they are spending time doing
stationary activities such as playing on
the computer, video games, or watching
television. Most adolescents fall short of
the recommendation of at least 60
minutes of aerobic physical activity each
day. In 2009 only 33% attended daily
physical education classes in grades 9-12.
Whether your child is overweight, at
risk of becoming overweight or currently
at a healthy weight, you can take practical
measures for a healthier lifestyle.
1. Schedule yearly physicals and well visits with your child’s pediatrician and dentist.
2. Provide healthy food choices and set a good example.
3. Just move every day - exercise with your child.
4. Provide water for your child instead of sugary drinks.
5. Be patient. Lifestyle changes can be difficult.
6. Provide plenty of fruits and vegetables.
7. Laugh out loud.
We can all make a difference if we
work together to help our children have a
happy, healthy, and productive life. Teach
healthy living techniques and live by
example. We can change both their world
and ours for the better.
Defining Childhood Obesity: How to Improve
Healthy Living for Children
Word Search on back page
Word Search Answers
Visit these links for more information on childhood
obesity: Weight Management for Youth www.nutrition.gov/youthweight More than a dozen links to weight management-oriented websites specifically for kids, teens and parents. We Can! www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan Online training and other aids help parents get their kids to make better food choices and be more active. Healthy Weight http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html This page provides answers to some of the questions you may have and provides you with resources to help you keep your family healthy. Health Education Answers www.healtheducationanswers.com/Launch/VBHPA
In the spring primary election, voters
were asked for identification (ID), but
not required to produce it. This
November, ALL voters will be
REQUIRED to show a photo ID before
voting at a polling place in the November
2012 election. Starting in the November
election, all photo IDs must be current
and contain an expiration date. For more
information or to view a complete list of
acceptable IDs, go to www.votespa.com
or call 877-868-3772. If you do not have
one of these IDs and require one for
voting purposes, you may be entitled to
get one FREE OF CHARGE at a
PennDOT Driver License Center.
New Voter ID Law
Volume 9 Page 3
As smokers, we learn early how to put
up a mental wall of denial between our
smoking habit and the damage we are
inflicting on ourselves. A crucial step in the
recovery process from nicotine addiction
involves breaking through that wall of denial
to put smoking in the proper light. If you're
thinking that it's time to quit smoking, or
have just quit and need some motivation to
keep going, use the smoking facts below to
fuel the fire in your belly that will help you
beat your smoking habit once and for all.
Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking,
a person’s blood pressure returns to normal.
Within one year, the chance of suffering a
heart attack decreases by half. Believe in
yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think
about some of the most difficult things you
have done in your life and realize that you
have the guts and determination to quit
smoking. Create your own plan for quitting.
Write down why you want to quit (the
benefits of quitting): live longer, feel better,
for your family, save money, smell better, etc.
Put it on paper and read it daily. Ask your
family and friends to support your decision
to quit. Set a quit date. Exercise relieves
stress and helps your body recover from
years of damage from cigarettes. If necessary,
start slow, with a short walk once or twice
per day. Build up to 30 to 40 minutes of
rigorous activity, three or four times per
week. Always consult your physician
before beginning any exercise program.
Visualize your way to becoming a non
smoker. See yourself turning down a
cigarette that someone offers you. Have
your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your
teeth look and feel and plan to keep them
that way. Drink lots of water. Water is
good for you anyway, and most people
don't get enough. It will help flush the
nicotine and other chemicals out of your
body, plus it can help reduce cravings by
fulfilling the "oral desires" that you may
have. Learn what triggers your desire for a
cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal,
or arrival at work. Avoid these triggers,
or if that's impossible, plan alternative
ways to deal with the triggers. Even if you
do relapse, try not to get too discouraged.
Treat yourself! Put the money you would
have spent on tobacco in a jar every day
and then buy yourself a weekly treat. Buy a
book or some new music, go out to eat,
start a new hobby, or join a gym.
Very few people are able to quit for
good on the first try. In fact, it takes most
people several tries before they quit for
good. What’s important is figuring out
what helped you when you tried to quit
and what worked against you. You can
Helpful Steps to Stop Smoking
Resources to Help
You Quit
1-800-QUIT Now (1-800-784-8669)
Pennsylvanians 14 years of age
or older who smoke or use
chewing tobacco can call to
receive the helping hand they
may need to end their
addiction to tobacco.
National Free Quit Line
1-800-784-8669
American Lung
Association
www.lungusa.org
www.determinedtoquit.com Provides resources for tobacco
users to quit smoking.
www.health.state.pa.us Provides cessation resources
throughout the
Commonwealth. Eight regional
primary contractors provide
cessation services, including
worksite cessation programs.
then use this information to make a
stronger attempt at quitting the next time.
Good luck in your efforts to quit
smoking. It's worth it!
The Family Advisory Committee Needs You! The Value Behavioral Health of PA (VBH-PA) Family Advisory Committee is committed to representing the views of families who support children and youth with the goal of ensuring appropriate delivery of behavioral health care services to all HealthChoices consumers. We are currently seeking family members of adult and children consumers in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties to serve on this committee. Members of our committee receive a stipend for their attendance and, in some cases, mileage reimbursement. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact Karan Steele, Prevention, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at (724) 744-6537 or email her at karan.steele@valueoptions.com.
Page 4 Volume 9
Did You Know?
If you had a question about your benefits or treatment
options, you can contact VBH-PA.
VBH-PA telephone services are available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.
If you do not like the care your provider is giving you, or if
you are unhappy with the services you are receiving, you
can file a complaint with VBH-PA.
If you are unhappy about a decision made about your
treatment, you can file a grievance with VBH-PA.
As a HealthChoices member, you have the right to choose
your behavioral health provider from a list of in-network
HealthChoices providers.
If you have a mental health or drug or alcohol emergency
while you are out of town, you do not need to be pre-
approved for emergency services. If this happens to you,
please call 911 if available in your location or go straight to
the hospital. Tell the hospital your name and VBH-PA’s toll-
free telephone number on your card. If you cannot give
the hospital this information, please call the VBH-PA toll-free
telephone number on your card as soon as the crisis has
passed.
VBH-PA has a website that has important information for
HealthChoices members. The web address is http://
www.vbh-pa.com which will take you directly to the VBH-PA
home page.
Value Behavioral Health of PA
Member Services Representatives
are available to assist you 24 hours
a day/7 days a week.
Visit us at:
www.vbh-pa.com
County Phone number
Armstrong 877-688-5969
Beaver 877-688-5970
Butler 877-688-5971
Cambria 866-404-4562
Crawford 866-404-4561
Fayette 877-688-5972
Greene 877-688-5973
Indiana 877-688-5969
Lawrence 877-688-5975
Mercer 866-404-4561
Venango 866-404-4561
Washington 877-688-5976
Westmoreland 877-688-5977
TTY 877-615-8502
Natural supports are our families, friends and personal relationships that enhance the
quality and safety of life. This might include immediate and extended family, friends,
community, co-workers and relationships made through participation in churches,
recreational activities, clubs, organizations and other activities within the community.
Relationships with people that are our natural supports can truly make a difference in our
lives and contribute to our feelings about believing in ourselves or in our family. Natural
supports include the people who get us through each day with their support and
encouragement. They are the people we turn to in our time of need or to share in our
accomplishments along our recovery path.
Natural supports benefit everyone involved. The individual or family benefits from the
support by feeling safe, relaxed and independent. A natural support system also fosters a
belief in oneself that “I can do this.” People who are contributing to the natural support
system also benefit from their relationship with the individual or family in recovery. The
relationship produces a positive outcome for both.
People with strong natural supports are more optimistic, healthier and have better outcomes with mental health and substance
abuse issues. Caregivers of individuals with challenging needs who have strong natural supports, also have better health, less
stress and are able to function more effectively as a caregiver.
NATURAL SUPPORTS
Page 5 Volume 9
In a healthy relationship there is respect for a dating partner’s feelings. There is respect for that person’s interests and wishes. Words, feelings and actions are positive and supportive. The number of texts and calls do not control your time.
Ask yourself these questions to begin thinking about how healthy your relationship is. Does my dating partner: 1. Judge me? Lack interest in what is
important to me? 2. Not want to give me personal space? Or
time with friends? 3. Take up my day with texts and calls to ask
me where I am, what I am doing and if I love him/her?
4. Ask me to wear less or more clothing? 5. Accuse me of flirting when I talk to other
people? 6. Request my Facebook password? 7. Say things “out of the blue” to make me
wonder if I have said or done something to make him/her mad?
8. Threaten me or my things? 9. Say he/she is “playing” when he/she
physically hurts me?
10. Say he/she is “joking” when he/she puts me down?
11. Pressure us to have a baby? 12. Forget his/her role in birth control or
often have other problems with birth control? Answering “yes” to any of these
questions can mean you are in an unhealthy relationship. The more “yes” answers you have the more at risk you are for dating abuse.
Dating abuse can happen to boys and girls, whether straight, bisexual, gay or lesbian. Also, it can happen regardless of religion or how much money someone has.
If you need more information on healthy relationships or dating abuse, please call: National Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 (TTY 1-866-331-8453) Callers can speak with a teen or adult to ask questions and talk. See the websites: http://www.loveisrespect.org/ www.loveisnotabuse.com/ http://www.thatsnotcool.com/
Teens: Is Your Dating Relationship Healthy?
This information is available in Spanish. Call our toll-free number at 1-877-615-8503 to request it. Esta
información está disponible en español. Llame nuestro número gratis en 1-877-615-8503 para solicitarlo.
TAAG—YOU’RE IT! VBH-PA is proud to announce the development of the “Transition Age Advisory Group” also known as “TAAG.” With the efforts to promote youth voice across Pennsylvania, VBH-PA has decided to join in this movement and develop the Transition Age Advisory Group. We are actively seeking youth members ages 16-26 from Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties. “TAAG” members represent transition-aged individuals with personal experience in the Mental Health System and have a desire to share their recovery stories. They help promote recovery and create a voice that will inspire others. The members have knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health System to educate future generations. Meetings are arranged and conducted by the youth members with a peer mentor between the ages of 26-30 to provide support and assistance. Members of our committee receive a stipend for their attendance and, in some cases, mileage reimbursement. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact Karan Steele, Prevention, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at (724) 744-6537 or email her at karan.steele@valueoptions.com. VBH-PA held a logo contest for “TAAG”. Youth members ages 16-26 from the VBH-PA counties were asked to submit a logo for the newly developed Transition Age Advisory Group. The winner will be announced in July.
Save the Date for
Upcoming VBH-PA
Family and Consumer
Forums:
6th Annual Family Forum October 5, 2012
Westmoreland County
Community College
Founders Hall
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, PA 15697
Acknowledging the Journey—
NW3 Members’ Forum November 8, 2012
Park Inn by Radisson
3377 New Castle Road
Route 18
West Middlesex, PA 16159
13th Annual Consumer
Recovery Forum April 19, 2013
Pittsburgh Marriott North
100 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
520 Pleasant Valley Road Trafford, PA 15085
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
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VALUE BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH OF PA INC
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