Stephen Larcen, PhD, President & CEO, Natchaug Hospital, says, “Recovery is the focus of behavioral health care today, and new treatment options help people sustain independent, fulfilling lives.”

by Stephen Larcen, PhD

We all know someone who has experienced a mental health crisis or struggled with an addiction. We may not talk about it much, but that often means only that we do not know the symptoms to watch for, or where to get help when we need it.  In an emotional crisis, the doctor might suggest getting help from one of Natchaug Hospital’s treatment programs, but this doesn’t mean that the patient or friends or relatives must drive an hour just for an assessment, or stay overnight in a hospital for weeks: Thanks to a network of community-based services, care is closer to home — and has better outcomes — than you might imagine.

Recovery is the focus of behavioral health care today, and new treatment options help people sustain independent, fulfilling lives.  Just as a person with diabetes or heart disease may need to learn how to adjust their activities in order to maintain their health, so do those living with mental illness and addiction need to learn how to adjust their own lives to sustain their recovery.

The average time a person spends in the hospital (which used to be 30 days, 60 days or even longer) is now about a week. This shift recognizes that recovery is more sustainable when people are learning and practicing their recovery as part of their regular lives.

Each day, an average of 50 people are at Natchaug Hospital for inpatient treatment, while on that same day 454 people are recovering through treatment in a day or evening treatment program while living at home, often while keeping up with work and family responsibilities.

Even addictions to opioid-based drugs can now be effectively treated through a combination of a medication (Suboxone®) and counseling.  Natchaug’s morning and evening programs have helped addicted persons recover, for example, from dependence on painkillers that began as legitimate prescriptions after surgery.

For children, after-school treatment programs help them and their families learn how to manage and recover from the child’s illness. Parents are grateful when their children can be picked up at school by one of Natchaug Hospital’s 38 vans to attend after-school intensive therapy at one of six community-based programs, where emotionally disturbed young people and their families learn how to manage and recover from their illness. Natchaug’s special education programs for emotionally disturbed youth work in conjunction with local education authorities when in-district options can not meet the child’s needs.

Natchaug has the most extensive array of community programs of any hospital in Connecticut, with ten programs sited in eight communities throughout Eastern Connecticut.  Just as the need for local treatment has expanded, so the offer of local treatment has been extended by Natchaug’s programs that make accessible the advances of new learning on effective practice that can lead to recovery.

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(l-r) T.J. “The Tomahawk” Stukes, Harlem Wizards, spins a basketball on his fingers for fans Austin Myers, Dorins and Amandi White, and Sam Fosten as part of Stonington High School’s basketball fundraiser on January 9th.

story & photo
by Christopher Annino

The legendary Harlem Wizards were invited to put on a show at Stonington High School on January 9th. With their acrobatic high flying dunks and their amazing ball handling skills The Harlem Wizards have brought worldwide joy and entertainment for 50 years. Over their five decades of existence, the Harlem Wizards raised millions of dollars for charities and non-profits, while providing sensational basketball entertainment.

“I played at Southern so it is always great to come back home to Connecticut,” said Dwain “Swoop” Simpson, player and coach, Harlem Wizards. “I always enjoyed playing basketball and entertaining people with what I can do. I was also with the Harlem Globetrotters. During my years with them and with the Wizards, I have understood the role and impact that an individual like me has on a kid;s life. There are not many people that step up to be remodels but the Harlem Wizards pride ourselves in trying to be positive remodels. My mother always said that it takes a village to raise a child and it is very true.”

The Harlem Wizards competed against the Stonington Super Stars, a skilled group of teachers, alum, and coaches, in a charity basketball game to raise funds for the Stonington High School Athletics Department.  The event was put on by Caroline Chapman and the Stonington High School Boosters which is a group of parents, teachers, coaches and friends of Stonington High School Athletes who volunteer their time at sporting events. They also provide scholarships and awards for Stonington High School athletes. “The Wizards come every year, and every year they put on a great show. We are so lucky to have them,” said Caroline Chapman.

The game was great family fun. The Wizards, who won, created a tremendous atmosphere for people to come and enjoy themselves for a good cause. After the game Ben Chapman, Stonington Super Star player and center for UConn Huskies Football,  said, “This is so fun being apart of this. We had such a good game with the Wizards and hope they come back again next year.”
For more information on the Harlem Wizards go to www.harlemwizards.com.

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Gerald F. Joseph, Jr, MD, president, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

by Gerald F. Joseph, Jr, MD

Each year, 20 percent of people in the US come down with the flu experiencing symptoms such as sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough. Diarrhea and vomiting may also occur and are especially associated with the 2009 H1N1 influenza strain (“swine flu”).

Although most sufferers will fully recover, the flu can cause serious illness or even death. The best way to combat the flu and its symptoms is to avoid it altogether. Fortunately, simple steps can help reduce your chances of getting sick.

Get vaccinated. Vaccines for both the seasonal and swine flu are available as a shot and an inhaled mist. Because pregnant women have a higher risk of severe complications related to seasonal flu and are six times more likely to die from H1N1 than the general population, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists recommends that they receive both vaccines. Flu vaccination is safe for pregnant women and their fetuses and continues to provide newborns with some protection from the flu after delivery. Pregnant women should only be vaccinated with the flu shot, not the inhaled mist.

H1N1 vaccination is also strongly recommended for persons between the ages of six months and 24 years; those who live with or care for children younger than six months of age; and people between 25 and 64 years of age with compromised immune systems and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease. Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for any individual who wishes to avoid the flu and for high-risk populations including those older than 50; people of any age who have a chronic illness, and their caregivers; and household members and caregivers of children younger than five.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Be sure to lather for at least 20-30 seconds (about the time it takes to hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice). You can also use alcohol-based hand cleansing gels if water is not available.

Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and then throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hands.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you’re sick, and keep sick children home, too. Sick individuals should stay out of public places such as school and work until they have been free of a fever for at least 24 hours. Pregnant women are encouraged to plan for someone else to care for sick family members.

And remember to practice good-for-you habits-such as eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising, and getting enough sleep-to keep your body in tip-top, virus-fighting condition.

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Lindsey Jacobellis and her older brother, Ben, at the starting gate of Stratton’s boardercross course.

photo by Jake Duhaime

Among the highlights from the New Year’s weekend at Stratton Mountain Resort was an interview with 2006 Olympic silver medalist and 2010 Olympic hopeful Lindsey Jacobellis while riding the American Express lift.

Q: What is it like being home?

A: It’s great coming home for the holidays and being at Stratton and on top of that it’s snowing. We get a little bit of freshies every day which makes it great for the mountain and makes it a very promising January.

Q: What does a beginner need to know before attempting to boardercross?

A: Definitely go and inspect the course. Make sure you know all the features and you’re not taken by surprise. It’s probably the number one safety thing.

Q: How excited are you for the next few months.

A: Well, it’s not all exciting! It’s actually pretty stressful. I’m sticking to the game plan, working out, staying focused and going to one event at a time, but it’s pretty cool and a fun experience and hopefully it comes out well and I have a great year.

For more information on Lindsey Jacobellis, the boardercross course on East Byrneside or Stratton Mountain Resort visit www.stratton.com.

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