Cassandra Sheets

Utica, New York – Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. (CFLR) is offering two new classes that are open to the public. These programs provide emotional support, validation, and education. “We are seeing the significant emotional damage Covid has left our community with and the losses it has caused many people to endure.” Says Erica Baslow, Family Prevention Specialist at CFLR. “We want to be able to provide support and education for anyone within the community who may be struggling”

Anger Management

Description: By working through this anger management program, individuals will be able to identify, and problem-solve stressors that lead to anger. They will learn effective communication and listening skills while also increasing empathy and emotional intelligence. We are aiming to improve stress management skills, identify and set healthy boundaries and learn to challenge irrational thoughts and beliefs.

When: August 9 – September 6. It is a 5-week program from 5-7 PM on Tuesdays.

Why: A formal anger management program provides structure to guide the change process, helps motivate participants and helps them recognize and be proud of the progress they have made.

Grief & Loss

Description: The goal of these groups is to help you complete your relationship to the pain, isolation and loneliness caused by significant emotional loss. While death and divorce may seem to be the most obvious losses, our groups are not limited to those losses. There are more than 40 life events that can produce feelings of grief.

When: August 8 – September 26. It is an 8-week program from 4-5 pm on Mondays.

Why: This program will help people process emotions and understand how they’re feeling.

Call for more info:

Erica Baslow
Family Prevention Specialist
Office: 315.737-2082
Cell: 315.795-6001
502 Court Street, Suite 401
Utica NY 13502

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Utica, New York (June 2022) – Boonville, NY- Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) is partnering up with community partners to host their first Youth Mental Health Day at Erwin Park, Boonville on Monday, June 27^th from 12-3pm. Students and parents of all ages and school districts are welcome to join in the activities focused on wellness and self-care. Some activities include a bounce house, arts and crafts, face painting, yoga, blow up axe throwing, and more.

“Our Youth Mental Health Day brings awareness to the struggles that our youth are having. It offers the opportunity for our youth in rural areas to have fun, learn, and get support for the struggles they have been facing” says Fran Esposito, Mental Health Prevention Service Coordinator with CFLR.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, email Fran Esposito at fesposito@cflrinc.org or visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Utica, New York (May 2022) – Utica, NY- Center for Family Life and Recovery is offering a support group for loved ones of individuals struggling with addiction and who are in recovery. Weekly, attendees will use the CRAFT method to support one another and work toward making an impact to support loved ones in their addiction and recovery. Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) was created by Dr. Robert Meyers to help family members with 3 key goals:

1. Help someone reduce their use
2. Help get a loved one to treatment/other recovery program
3. To increase wellness and decrease stress for the whole family

This weekly group is open to the public and uses Zoom:

Zoom Link Meeting ID: 838 9268 7216, Passcode: 295268

Upcoming Dates: June 22^nd, June 29^th, July 6^th, every Wednesday at 12:45pm

As loved ones, we have a unique experience and with that a unique expertise. We know them, we know their why, we can see behaviors, actions, and their use a mile away. We can use this expertise to help move someone into their recovery journey. At the same time, when we’ve been fighting so hard, we also know that our wellness takes a hit and that this family journey is a delicate balance between our fight for them and our fight for our own wellness. CRAFT gives us an amazing set of tools that tackles both.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.

Utica, New York (May 2022) – Utica, NY- May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year and Center for Family Life and Recovery and Mental Health America are bringing it back to basics. With mental health entering mainstream conversations, it is critical that solid foundations of knowledge are formed. The National Goal this month is to help the public recognize warning signs and tools to maintain mental wellness.

Screening can help catch mental health problems early. Set up by calling (315) 733-1709. A screening only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results.

According to Mental Health America, 13.84% of youth aged 12-17 years old report at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the last year and if left untreated, issues like this can persist into adulthood. New York is the second-highest state in the country in this category. 9.7% of youth in the US have severe major depression, which is on the rise over the last year. CFLR is offering a training for Mental Health First Aid for youth and it’s open to the public. Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. This course will be offered on May 31^st from 9am – 4pm with a 1-hour break for lunch. It is limited to 20 people and costs $75 per person. Register for this course here: https://centerforfamilylifeandrecoverycflr-bloom.kindful.com/e/mental-health-first-aid-youth

Details:

Additionally, CFLR is offering a virtual program to help participants learn about the common risk factors for suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, loved ones, and those in our community safe. This virtual event will have two sessions held May 24^th from noon – 1pm and 7pm-8pm. Registration is on CFLR’s calendar: https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com/calendar

Jodi Klostreich, Director of Prevention Services at CFLR says that by “normalizing the conversation about mental health lessens the stigma and empowers people to voice their struggles, reach out for support, and find the help that is needed. By promoting awareness and education and opening that dialogue on mental health can offer someone HOPE, HEALING, TREATMENT, RECOVERY, and lessen suicide.” Klostreich, also says, that prevention is key, and the earlier self-regulation and positive reinforced coping strategies are implemented can make all the difference in the way we think, feel, and behave. Klostreich, also recommends that if someone is struggling to talk about their mental health, here are some tips that might be helpful:

1. Journaling, “write like nobody’s reading” share when you feel comfortable.
2. Talk to someone that doesn’t know you like a counselor or social worker, if you do not feel comfortable to share with a family member or friend.
3. Use a hobby to express your feelings like writing lyrics, poems, or painting.
4. Know that talking to someone to share your struggles is courageous and can take a lot of weight off your shoulders, a sense of relief, and it can also help navigate further support.
5. Remember that you are NOT alone!

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be a leader in creating a world where people have the power to achieve and celebrate recovery. CFLR supports individuals and families struggling with addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues by inspiring hope, providing help, promoting wellness, and transforming lives. To learn more, visit www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or call (315) 733-1709.