CFLR In Action

May

2022

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

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

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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:

Journaling, “write like nobody’s reading” share when you feel comfortable.
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.
Use a hobby to express your feelings like writing lyrics, poems, or painting.
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.
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.

Apr

2022

CFLR Announces Community Take Back Days in April 2022

Utica, New York (April 2022) –The Center for Family Life and Recovery (CFLR) announces its Spring Take Back Day’s. Since October 2016, CFLR has been committed to enhancing prevention efforts in the community to lessen risky behaviors, addiction, and overdoses by promoting the MedReturn Units and Community Take Back Days. CFLR monitors pounds collected during these events and over 23,000 pounds (about the weight of a school bus) to date and hopes to reach its goal of 30,000 pounds by the end of October 2023.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., as part of their growing Oneida County Prevention Services, and in conjunction with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and Local Police Departments are working together in collaboration to “Take Back” unused/or expired prescription and over- the-counter medications, including pet medications by offering drive- through events.

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host three Drug Take Back Days this Spring:

April 27^th with OC Sheriff’s

Camden Apartments, Camden: 9am – 11am

Parkway Center Apartments, Verona Beach: 12pm – 2pm

April 28^th with Utica PD

Schuyler Commons, Utica: 9am – 11am

Parkway Center, Utica: 12pm – 2pm

April 30^th OC Sheriff’s and Utica PD

Outside of Utica Train Station on Railroad Street: 10am – 2pm

The Director of CFLR’s Prevention Department, Jodi Klostreich states, “having these take back opportunities to rid of over the counter or prescription medications that may be expired or unused, (including pet medications) are a safe and effective way to clean out your medicine cabinet. According to Klostreich, medications play a key role in treating many conditions, diseases, and mental health in general. But when those medicines are no longer needed, it is important to dispose of them properly to reduce risk from accidental exposure or intentional misuse or abuse along with overdose.” Addiction is a community issue and we all can play a role in proactive prevention by ensuring that medication does not get in the wrong hands, she says. There were 294,317 cases of improper medicine use in 2019, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Approximately 9% of those cases — about 26,317 — involved accidental exposure to another person’s medicine. Approximately 3,846 of these accidental exposure cases involved children 5 and younger.

Please be a part of CFLR’s goal of reaching 30,000 pounds, you can help by checking your medicine cabinet today and dropping off your items at one of the sponsored drive-through events.

Apr

2022

Are you getting enough sleep?

Lack of a good night’s sleep can affect us at the most inconvenient times. Not getting enough shut eye can impact everything from work performance to eating habits. CFLR’s Employee Assistance Program has provided a few tips on how to improve your sleeping habits. For more information…

Sleep deprivation, which means you’re not getting enough sleep, is a common problem. Many people try to pack in as much as possible into each day, and sleep is often sacrificed. Whether your sleep deprivation is due to your demanding work schedule, the result of sleep disorder, your age (people 65 years and older often struggle with sleep), illness, level of stress or demanding social schedule sleep is often a low priority or problematic. Ongoing sleep deprivation can have devastating consequences, including but not limited to: problems with memory and logical reasoning, difficulties with psychological processes associated with the adrenal gland (i.e. it can make you very irritable, disrupt your metabolism and even impact how you experience physical pain), and it is closely associated with decreases in both efficiency and ability to concentrate.

Although 8 hours of sleep each night is still the general recommendation, this may not always be possible. Unfortunately, there is also no “catching up” on sleep when you are in serious sleep debt. So now what? Consider quality if you’re not getting quantity! Follow these tips and realize that it takes time to make better habits.

Modify alcohol consumption. Although alcohol can help you to fall asleep, it disrupts the sleep cycle.
Decrease smoking. Large levels of nicotine in the blood result in increased agitation and decreased restful sleep.
Exercise regularly. Regular exercise produces a higher percentage of deep sleep as well as fewer awakenings during the night.
Take a look at your diet. Make sure that you are consuming adequate amounts of B-complex vitamins, as several of the B vitamins can enhance restful sleep as well as reduce fatigue.
Reduce caffeine intake. In particular, don’t consume caffeine within 4 hours of bedtime.
Set realistic daily goals.
Establish a regular sleep schedule.
Practice diaphragmatic (deep) breathing (especially before bed).

Apr

2022

CFLR Announces 2022 Amethyst Awardee

Utica, New York (March 2022) – The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. has chosen Tabatha Sellick, from Oneida County Family Treatment Court as the winner of their 2022 Amethyst Award, which will be presented at their annual awareness breakfast on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

The Amethyst Award is given annually to a member of the community who has helped others by inspiring them with the message of hope and recovery in the fields of mental health and chemical dependency, as well as treatment and prevention.

These are just a few of the amazing statements from her many nominations:

“Tabatha is one of the most dedicated members of our community supporting individuals working on their substance use disorder, mental health, and finding pathways for the whole family unit.”

“Tabatha works tirelessly with those suffering from SUD.”

“[She] is going above and beyond to service those in need through several specialty courts.”

“Her impact on the community keeps children and parents safe and making positive strides in their recovery.” “Tabatha’s work as Treatment Court Coordinator has made a lasting difference in the recovery community.”

“She is extremely caring and takes time with everyone she is talking to, to hear what they are saying.”

Each year at the annual awareness breakfast, CFLR celebrates their community partners who join them in the fight against substance use disorders. There will also be informational booths from services providers from all over the Mohawk Valley and Central NY providing information on recovery and prevention services.

“We want to recognize all our partners who play a role in the recovery community, whether it’s inpatient or outpatient, support groups, peer services, life skills, or advocacy“, says CFLR’s CEO Cassandra Sheets. “All of us together share a piece of the success stories we’re now writing. The Mohawk Valley is fortunate to have strong, community-minded leaders. For the friends and loved ones who are rebuilding their lives in recovery, the support they find locally helps to increase their chances of success. This area has numerous resources to help individuals and families get clean, sober, and achieve long-term recovery. More importantly, those resources work together to customize individual plans for the road to recovery,” Sheets said.

The awareness breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26th at Hart’s Hill Inn at 8:30am in Whitesboro and is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and are available online at https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com/calendar/cflr-annual-breakfast/

Apr

2022

CFLR Urges Parents to Get Informed on Youth Opioid Crisis

Utica, NY – With the recent news story of seven West Point Academy cadets who overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl during spring break, the Center for Family Life and Recovery is urging parents to educate themselves and their children on the rising risks of opioid use, particularly drugs laced with fentanyl. As of 3/9 in Oneida county alone there have been 49 non-fatal overdoses and 6 fatal overdoses.

“Overdoses are happening in every community. People are dying, our youth and young adults are dying– this is a crisis.” says Director of Prevention Services, Jodi Klostreich at the Center for Family Life and Recovery. “With the rise in mental health issues among our youth, they are taking more risks with substances and alcohol. And now, fentanyl-laced drugs have become the next wave of the opioid crisis. CFLR wants every parent and community member to know the trends, and to share with their children that drugs are not safe, and dealers don’t care if there is loss of life…it’s a business, and that is it.” She also states, “It’s so easy to lace any substance or beverage and you won’t know it, smell it, it won’t even look different.”

According to a United State Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) official, “Pills and other potent drugs on our streets are everywhere and no one is immune to accidentally overdosing if they use or abuse drugs. Heroin and fentanyl should be a conversation with our youth. Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than morphine. As little as one gram of fentanyl can kill 500 people. It doesn’t take a lot to kill.”

CFLR wants parents and community members to also be trained and educated on Naloxone (Narcan) and why it’s so critical to have on hand. In an overdose situation, Narcan can possibly save someone’s life.

CFLR offers FREE NARCAN education and training. If your school, agency, college, or any community members want to know more about CFLR’s Prevention and Recovery Department’s programs and services, call CFLR’s main line at (315)733-1709. If you think your loved one is already dealing with an addiction, CFLR offers family support services as well. For more information on the many services and programs we offer, visit https://www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com

CFLR In Action

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Details:

CFLR Announces Community Take Back Days in April 2022

The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will host three Drug Take Back Days this Spring:

Are you getting enough sleep?

CFLR Announces 2022 Amethyst Awardee

These are just a few of the amazing statements from her many nominations:

CFLR Urges Parents to Get Informed on Youth Opioid Crisis

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