Connections

NEWS FOR THE CAMINAR COMMUNITY SERVING THE SAN MATEO, SOLANO, AND BUTTE COUNTIES FALL 2012

for Mental Health

C h a p t e r t w o:

New Beginnings

s a 4-year old, Yoshie Hill couldnt understand why her mother suddenly threw away her favorite toys or started to yell back at the radio. When Yoshie saw her mother being taken away, no one explained to her what

Helping people with mental illness become independent

had happened. Even if they had tried, how could a 4 year-old understand schizophrenia? In her young mind, Yoshie reasoned that it had to be something that she did or didnt do that caused her mother to go away.

Yoshie and her sister were taken in by her paternal grandparents during her mothers two-year hospital stay. After she was released, Yoshies mother returned home. Yoshies memories as a child were of a mother who was heavily drugged on Thorazine and who experienced periodic psychotic episodes. Throughout her childhood, Yoshie was reminded by her father not to speak about her mother outside of their home. And she didnt. In fact, Yoshie would sometimes go for a week at a time, not uttering a word to anyone. There was no counseling or support offered to her or her sister to work through the ramifications of their familys terrible secret.

As an adult, Yoshie experienced frequent bouts of depression. Four years ago, she lost her job at a community college, and subsequently, her apartment. She moved back into her mothers home, but without the ability to pay rent, Yoshies sister, who was managing her mothers affairs, threatened eviction. Spiraling into a deep depression and unable to think of any other alternative, Yoshie recalls carefully planning how she was going to commit suicide. In a brief moment of clarity, she picked up the phone to call 911. After a two-week stay in a psychiatric ward, Yoshie was placed at Redwood House, Caminars crisis residential treatment center. Despite being heavily medicated and not comprehending how she got there, she clearly recalls that from the outset, she felt
(Continued on page 2)

There was no counseling or support offered to her or her sister to work through their familys terrible secret.

New Beginnings

(Continued from page 1)

completely welcomed by the Redwood House staff and residents. On her first day, a resident told her that a group of them were going to get haircuts and invited her to come along. The next day, there was a holiday party. Every day, there was something going on, so there was no time to dwell or brood. As she got to know her peers and learned of their experiences, she realized that she was not alone. They shared and learned from each other in group exercises, went on outings, and worked with their case managers on setting goals and planning next steps. When she started to feel down, Yoshie found that Caminar staff members were always there, day or night, to support her. One afternoon, a group of Redwood House residents attended a College of San Mateo open house for the supported education program. There, she met Jerry, a friendly counselor with a warm twinkle in his eye. It wasnt until the two met again a year later that she learned that he was a peer counselor who had gone through Caminars programs himself.

When she started to feel down, Yoshie found that Caminar staff members were always there, day or night, to support her.

After discovering all that they had in common and sharing a mutual attraction, they began dating. Two years later, they are now happily married. When Yoshie began looking for work, she was offered a temporary clerical position in an insurance agency. The owner, Jerrys uncle, was so impressed with Yoshies work that he offered her a full time job as receptionist and later, training to become an agent herself. Yoshie jumped at the opportunity, went through rigorous training and testing, and earned a license to become a certified insurance agent. She loves her work, especially when dealing with clients who are going through difficulties, because her life experiences have taught her true empathy. Caminar appreciates Yoshies willingness to share her story and for employers like Yoshies who give individuals who have a mental illness a real chance to prove to themselves and to the world what they are capable of accomplishing. As Yoshie shows, recovery is real, and it is happening every day at Caminar.

Caminar Gives Thanks

holistic wellness program; and are in progress of implementing lean management practices which focus on maximizing customer satisfaction and minimizing waste. Concurrently, Caminar continues to proactively forge new partnerships to broaden the mental health community it serves. Through a new contract in Solano County, the Solano region staff will be serving the older adult full service partnership with a medication clinic in Fairfield. In addition to our constant efforts to develop and diversify revenue sources, we have moved into our new San Mateo home. It houses our medication clinic, the San Mateo regional programs, and our corporate offices. Consolidating all three operations into one building will make us more efficient, in addition to enhancing our Caminar spirit of community. I would like to welcome our new Board members, Glenda Lingenfelter, Mental Health Administrator for Solano County; Windi Snearly, senior recruiter for Wells Fargos West Coast Business Banking Division; and Carol Whitfield, a respected and accomplished community leader. The addition of these individuals brings wonderful spirit and energy, coupled with invaluable expertise. I am so appreciative as our Board continues to lead our efforts to deliver its promise of saving lives in our communities. This being the season of Thanksgiving, I want to give thanks to the dedicated, passionate Caminar staff who continue to bring positive life-changes which impact individuals, families and the community. Every day Caminar professionals are providing stability, hope, and leadership to a population seeking to overcome daily struggles and challenges too often experienced alone and in silence. Thanks to all our volunteer Board members for their leadership and governance. And a special thank you to our generous supporters, without whom this vital work would not be possible. Warmly,

write this article on the eve of one of the most important elections in our countrys history. Much is at stake for Caminar and, especially, its clients. Looking forward, the outlook for mental health care at the county, state, and federal levels is uncertain. Caminar will no doubt be affected by the direction healthcare takes over the next four years. Caminars programs provide a proven and established pathway to education, employment, housing, and self-sufficiency for people who might otherwise be in county or state care through hospitalization, incarceration, or even homelessness. Caminar clients are leading healthier and more independent lives, contributing to our communities as well as depending on them. Caminar is positioning itself for the future by being in the forefront of mental health service providers. We have received accreditation from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) for our mental health and vocational programs; launched Bridges to Wellness, a successful,

Charles Chip Huggins, JD Chief Executive Officer, Caminar

In My Voice:
Buffy BlaIr, Peer Counselor

A New Home for Caminar San Mateo

much needed and anticipated consolidation of Caminar for Mental Health programs has been completed. All of our services and offices finally came together under one roof on November 15, when Caminar San Mateo officially opened its beautiful, new facilities located at 2600 El Camino Real. Longtime Board member, Eunice Kushman, a mental health activist and one of the most influential citizens in the history of mental health services in San Mateo County, cut the ribbon in the opening ceremony. Our programs and offices were previously scattered throughout the county, but Caminars new home brings together a variety of services: the Medication Clinic; Bridges to Wellness (a program that brings medical and behavioral health together in a holistic approach to wellness); REACH (Recovery, Empowerment and Community Housing), a 24/7 case management program; FSP (Full Service Partnership intensive case management services for older adults); and New Ventures/WRAPP (Wellness Recovery Action Partnership Program), case management support for individuals who are successfully living in the community. Other Caminar San Mateo programs, including Jobs Plus, the job training, placement, and support program, and Supported Housing are also headquartered in the new facility, along with central administrative offices. For Caminar clients, as well as staff, the move saves time and transportation expenses in traveling to the various offices. The new location is more centrally located and is easily accessible to public transportation. San Mateo Region Executive Director Lori Kandels says, Now all of our adult case management programs are under the same roof with the medication clinic. This improves communication and leads to better coordination of care for our clients.

y name is Buffy Blair and I am a peer counselor for Caminars Wellness and Recovery Center in Solano. I was born two months prematurely and managed to survive a potentially fatal condition of bronchial pulmonary dysplasia. Most likely as a result of that trauma, my childhood was very challenging. I was the sick kid and was clinically depressed at an early age. I was later diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder. Throughout adolescence, I was in and out of institutions and was on more meds and seeing more psychiatrists than I care to remember. Then at age 14, I attempted, and nearly succeeded, in committing suicide. My heart stopped. In fact it stopped for so long it had cut off oxygen to my brain. My parents were told if I survived I would be in a vegetative state. That I am still here made me realize the fragility and value of my life. Life since then has been full of ups and downs. Ive battled with drug addiction and finally overcame it but I know I will always bear the emotional scars of an addict. I am four years clean now and that piece of my life is like a bad dream. I earned my GED, received training in culinary

arts through Job Corps, and got a job at a large volume cafeteria. Things were going well for a while, but then I had another relapse that took me on yet another trip through the mental health system. After a short stay in the hospital I was sent to Caminars Laurel Creek residential treatment center. My 30-day stay there played a very important role in getting me to where I am today. I was given such useful tools on taking control of my life that I still use them to this day and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. I met my husband and married in 2009. My husband has been very supportive, despite my mental illness and newly diagnosed fibromyalgia. My days are sometimes difficult because of pain but I push through it because I love what I do. I use some of my personal experience and strength to give back and be a more effective peer counselor at Caminar. I know that if it werent for my faith, my family, and Caminar I would not be here today. Caminar has not only played a very large role in my recovery but also continues to benefit my life as a place of employment that is sensitive and flexible with my disabilities.

Staglin Music Festival

FOR MENTA L HE A LTH

18T H A N N UA L

he 18th Annual Music Festival for Mental Health, held on September 15 at the beautiful Staglin winery in Rutherford, featured a symposium with leading scholars and researchers who are exploring exciting new frontiers in the understanding of mental illness. The event was started in 1995 by Garen and Shari Staglin, parents of Brandon, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was a freshman at Darmouth College. Today, at 40 years of age, Brandon is in control of his mental illness, happily married, and works as the communications director of his familys International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), which has raised $147 million to support research and treatment of mental illness. Both the Staglin family and IMHRO have been generous supporters of Caminar.
working on lab studies to pinpoint which proteins current drugs act upon in the brain in order to eventually develop better mood stabilizers with fewer side effects. In his study of manic depressive disorder, Dr. Scott Russo has discovered a potential connection, for some sufferers, with a dysfunctional immune system. Starting with the discovery that many MDD patients, as well mice modeling depression, show elevated levels of a pro-inflammatory protein after stress, he theorized that depression can arise in conjunction with inflammation. Because inflammation is a signature product of an immune response, he has run further mouse tests and found preliminary confirmation of a sort of allergic response to stress as a depression source. Potentially, this suggests, some immune-suppressant drugs already on the market could be used or adapted to treat depression for some sufferers. The panelists spoke of the very real threat of major cuts in NIH funding for mental health research which could upend the major strides these researchers are making in the understanding of mental illness. According to Dr. Lieberman, with the annual direct costs of mental illness in the United States estimated at a staggering $99 billion (with total annual costs around $400 billion), the need to not only continue, but increase funding for research cannot be overstated. Funds generated from this event go to IMHRO, which supports ground breaking brain disorder research such as those described here. For further information, please go to www.imhro.org. Caminar is proud to be a partner with the Staglin family and IMHRO in fighting the stigma toward mental illness through better understanding, communications, and compassion.

In his keynote speech, Columbia Universitys Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman spoke about the various stages of schizophrenia and how early intervention and sustained management are key to recovery. Schizophrenia is dormant during the premorbid phase and becomes manifest during adolescence or early adulthood. The longer an individual experiencing the early stages of the illness goes untreated, the higher the likelihood that the illness becomes chronic, and restoration of prior functioning becomes unlikely. Conversely, early detection and treatment can stop the deterioration of brain shrinkage that occurs during the progression of the illness and actually prevent recurrence. Through recent advances in neuropsychiatry and neuroimaging, identification of individuals at risk for psychosis, even before the first psychotic break occurs, is now possible. Prevention of the progression of the disease can occur with neuroprotection, or treatment that helps maintain central nervous system functionality in response to neurobiologic stress. Each year, IMHRO recognizes researchers who are conducting groundbreaking work in the study of mental illness with the Rising Star Translational Research Award. Two of this years award winners, Dr. Colleen McClung, from the University of Pittsburg Medical Center, and Dr. Scott Russo, from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, spoke about their findings. Dr. McClungs studies focus on mood stabilizing therapies for bipolar disorder. The mania that individuals with bipolar disorder experience is typically treated with mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate. While they are effective in treating psychiatric symptoms, they often lead to serious side effects such as weight gain, liver or kidney impairment, nausea, and tremors. Dr. McClung and her team are

Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman

Caminar Solano region expands Services

aminar has managed more than one major move recently. In addition to San Mateos new offices, on September 6, Caminar Solano showcased its new offices, located at 601 Madison Street in downtown Fairfield. The open house celebrated the opportunity Caminar has been given by Solano County Mental Health to provide more services to the countys chronically mentally ill. The event was attended by Solano County Mental Health leadership, including director Halsey Simmons, Caminar Solano Region Executive Director James Wagner and staff, other key stakeholders, and Caminar CEO Chip Huggins. The new offices house the expanded Full Service Partnership (FSP) program, a service-rich case management program that provides intensive wraparound support to some of Solano Countys most severely mentally ill (SMI) individuals. Caminar Solano has been operating a senior adult FSP that serves 18 individuals over the age of 60 since 2010. Our expanded FSP services will allow us to increase the number of clients served to 44 and will extend the age range of our clients to include those 26 years of age and up. Due to this growth in services, Caminar Fairfield has increased staffing that replicates the structure of the Solano office, including case managers, program director, psychiatrist, and registered nurse. Having two locations with identical services will allow us to better serve clients in each of the major geographic areas of Solano County. The office formally opened for business on September 10.

Raising Awareness: FOCUS Film Festival

L to R: Halsey Simmons, Solano County Mental Health Director; Dionne Brooks, Caminar FSP Program Director; James Wagner, Caminar Solano Region Executive Director)

aising Renee is a brutally honest, personal account of an accomplished artist who is suddenly faced with taking care of a sister who is developmentally disabled after the death of their mother. The documentary was one of over 30 films from around the world featured at the FOCUS Film Festival, held in Chico over three days in October. Caminar is a proud, long-time sponsor of this annual event. The FOCUS Film Festival is a project of Far Northern Regional Center, a nonprofit organization that provides services and support to people with developmental disabilities and their families. The festival showcases documentary and feature films that celebrate diversity and inclusion and promote a community that embraces diversity, not as difference, but as a blend and variety of valuable contributions. Caminar consumers also actively participate in the festival, as attendees as well as volunteers. Other critically acclaimed films included Dolphin Boy, a story of a young boy who finds peace among dolphins after a traumatic brain injury; Strong Love, a film that follows the lives of two childhood sweethearts with Down Syndrome; and Rethinking Dyslexia, a documentary featuring children, experts, and iconic leaders who show that dyslexia can be as great a gift as it is an obstacle. In addition to the films, festival attendees were treated to workshops with visiting cast members, directors, and experts, as well as an extensive photo gallery. The festival will return to Chico next fall for their 9th annual event.

A SecoNd chANce:

ince 2009 Katherine has been a community support worker, a CSW. She describes herself as a consumer of mental health services who, at one time in her life, was unable to get out of bed. Now she supports people in the community to take their medication and believes the CSW program helps people who are normally locked up get a second chance at living independently. She heard about Caminar from a friend, and came to apply for a job. Alison has been a CSW for 3 years. After numerous hospitalizations and as a current consumer of mental health services she found it difficult to find employment. Once she did find work, she had difficulty holding onto it. It wasnt until she heard about Caminar that she explored employment in the mental health field. There she discovered her real niche. I wanted to give, she says. With my experience I thought it would be an asset and not held against me. Katherines shift begins at 7:30 am. She drives a long route from client home to client home. Her travel takes her to South San Francisco, Burlingame, and Daly City. Alison works 5 days a week, starting at 8:00 am, and takes the route that includes Redwood City and East Palo Alto. CSWs provide medication support to over 50 people a day throughout San Mateo County. They encourage people to take their medications; deliver new/refill prescriptions; make sure people have eaten/not eaten per instructions;

Caminar Community Support Worker Program

and remind them to drink water, limit their use of cigarettes, or use a prescribed inhaler. The CSW visits also provide services that are less tangible but just as important: a stabilizing presence, individual attention, ability to relate to feelings and experiences, structure, accountability, and connection. CSWs like Alison and Katherine offer their own irreplaceable support as former consumers. The program works, Katherine says with conviction.

The number one reason people are rehospitalized is because they forget to, or dont want to take their medications.

Not all CSWs are also consumers of mental health services. Kristin graduated from UC Irvine in December, 2011 with a B.A. in psychology. Her interest in mental health stems from a previous internship with very young children with autism. Kristin plans to continue her education and pursue a masters degree in social work. It is impressive to see the whole group together in their weekly meetings. They gather to problem solve, share information and work together - always in the best interests of the client. They know many of the same clients, fill in for each other, and give suggestions about how to work with particular roommates, families, or landlords. They provide tips on routes, traffic, parking, or other challenges. The CSWs approach their work with an obvious compassion. The CSW program gets high marks from staff members and supervisors alike. A commonly held belief is that the CSW team is the heart and soul of Caminars programs. A typical comment from case managers in the field is that services like these, provided from peer to peer, bring a message of inspiration and what is possible. Everyone at Caminar agrees: The number one reason people are re-hospitalized or re-institutionalized is because they forget to, or dont to want to take their medication(s). Regular daily contact with our CSW team has an enormous impact, and helps Caminar keep the commitment to our mission.

Caminar gives special thanks to newlyweds Kelsey and Jerry Dattilo, who gave a generous donation to Caminar on behalf of their wedding guests in lieu of favors. Kelsey, who is a case manager for the reaCH program, and Jerry, the assistant director at Jobs Plus, met at Caminar and share a strong bond as passionate advocates for the individuals they serve.

thank You to our Generous Donors

$25,000+ Michelson Family Foundation Peninsula Health Care District Ken and Ann Stinson $10,000 - $24,999 Gayle and Ron Conway El Camino House Organization (ECHO) The Charles and Ann Johnson Foundation Karen and George McCown Steve and Patty Porter $5,000 - $9999 Anonymous Bill Campbell Roberta Campbell Elizabeth and Bruce Dunlevie JLV Insurance Services Christine McGill Mervin and Roslyn Morris Silicon Valley Community Foundation Richard and Shelby Van Doren Moez and Vivienne Virani Wells Fargo Foundation Carol and Roy Whitfield $2,500 - $4,999 Armstrong, Callan & Shiu LLP Bedrosian & Associates Michael and Teresa Birkeland Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Carr, McClellan, Ingersoll, Thompson & Horn John and Nina Clinton John and Marcia Goldman Grinstead Family Trust Berger Lewis Dennis and Margaret Pantano Michael and Alison Moed Paolercio $1,000 - $2,499 Gail and Dan Alberti Miki and Bill Armstrong Stephen and Darline Bellumori Stanley Dirks and Linda Fenney Guittard Chocolate Company Chip and Pam Huggins International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO) Linda Jesmok Charles and Anne Johnson Mary Alice Kelly Gail and Fred Kittler Sal Pantano Lori Paulin and Tim McDonnell Stephanie and Steve Pham Mindy and Jesse Rogers Yoko Sameshima Staglin Family Vineyard Stanford Hospital and Clinics Mike and Doris Stimson Ted Stinson Teds Village Pharmacy Sunshine Lady Foundation $25 - $999 Diane Adler Carolyn Amster Anonymous Angela Assenza Jack Bair Betsy Balassone Sherry Barto Judith Barton Wendy Barton Roger and Mary Beaudry Ron Bedrosian T.J. and Tracy Bianchi Gordon Biersch Brewing Company Celeste and Wendell Birkhofer Beverly Blengino Patty and Jim Boettcher Cathy Bonnici Ronald and Beverly Borelli Angela Bramble Burlingame Hotel Bill Butler Evelyn and Gary Cakebread David Carducci Joan Cassman Castello di Amorosa Hector and Angela Castro Elizabeth and Bob Cavallero Tom and Mary Chakos Kenny Chen Dolores Mani Coelho Laura Collins Lelana Crayne Cristina Cuzman John Dabney Lovella and Roberto Diaz Dr. Phil Moberg and Dr. Elizabeth Kaplan Carrie Drake Randy and Jackie Erickson Marcy Fraser David and Joan Fredenberg Lauren and Peter Freer Dorothy Garbero Jane and Dave Gildea William Grant & Sons Heather and Elliott Grant Bruce and Phyllis Grenzebach Half Moon Bay Golf Links Marian Hardin Nancy and Howard Hassen John Hatfield Melinda Henning Kristina Homer Supervisor Don Horsley Diane and Steve Howard Chuck Huggins Carol and Jim Ida Eve and Ross Jaffe Jennifer and Devon Johnson Andrea Johnson Garey Johnson Claire Jones Patricia and James Kennel Jeff Kernan Marie and Sam Koerper Eunice Kushman Rick Kushman David Larwood Anne and Ken Lawler Marcia Leonhardt Steve and MaryKay Leveroni Teri Lilienthal Richard and Mary Lin Jeffrey Livingston-Carr, MD Judith and Mark Luri James and Joyce Mackey Steven Maggi Anna and Hilmar Maier Philip and Nancy Mancini Kendall Patton and Mark Jordan Ned and Erin Mathes Valerie McBryde Bob McCann Rosalie McCloud Robert McKerroll Walter McVeigh Deborah Meltvedt Menlo Swim and Sport Wendy Miller Anthony and Laurie Moraros Peg Morris Rebecca and John Nelson Mike Nevin Dr. Patrick OHalloran Lynn Olson James and Gail Ostendorf Marilyn and Jim Palmer Barbara Patterson and Andrew Menkes Papapietro Perry Suzanne Parsons Jason and Nikki Pearl Peninsula Health Care District Mabel Perego Gil Petrewski Elizabeth C. Peters Melissa Platte Provide Commerce Richard and Jennifer Pucci Russell and Helen Pyne Vera Richard Gary Riekes Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Louise Rogers Donald Rogers Debbie and Stuart Rosenberg Sams Chowder House Christopher Sarantopulos William Schlough Wende and Craig Schoof James Sherman Janice Snook Joan and Grant Somers Doris and Bill Spitzig Peter Stansky Alan and Gloria Stickle Anita Svensson Jimmie and Tony Tadin Anne Tait Jane Talcott Steve and Consee Tarantino Tarantinos Margaret Taylor Paul Taylor and Tessa Moore Ben and Nancy Tefertiller Anita Toggweiler United Airlines Retirees Organization San Francisco Bay Area Chapter Mary and John Valentine St. Catherines Section, Episcopal Church of St. Matthews William van Horn Robert Wadell Teresa Walker Sandra and Craig Wallace Stephen and Patricia Way Ross Weber Kevin Weir Roger and Sandy Wiere Peter Wierzbicki Richard and Dana Windatt Homer Wong William and Lois Wynn

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2600 El Camino Real, Suite 200 San Mateo, CA 94403 www.caminar.org

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Success Redefined: Sensible Cyclery

he successes just keep coming at Sensible Cyclery, Caminars social enterprise in Chico. Sensible Cyclery recently participated in two key events that helped to boost its name recognition in the bike-friendly community: Chico States Wrectacular, an orientation event for incoming freshmen, and Homeless Connect, an event hosted by the Butte County Continuum of Care program that connects homeless persons with services. At Homeless Connect, Sensible Cyclery repaired 65 bikes in less than five hours. Sensible Cyclery sells quality, reconditioned and affordable bicycles while providing vocational training opportunities for Caminar clients. Working with bicycles donated by residents, landlords, the City of Chico, Chico State, and other nonprofit providers, the program has grown and now sells over 200 bicycles annually. Each donated bicycle is inspected and evaluated for repair and reconditioning. Parts from a bike thats not salvageable will be used to recondition another bike. Bicycles are completely overhauled, and tuned up. Prices range from $50 to $200. Trace Watkins, the shops dynamic and innovative manager, together with staff member Wally Walter, have brought many new ideas to increase efficiency and productivity. The shop now builds custom bikes, participates in fundraising, and is even collaborating with Chico States department of engineering and psychology department to work on the challenges of increasing inventory while maintaining the balance of market and client success. In a college town where young people are a target audience, Sensible Cyclery utilizes social media to connect with customers. Since the beginning of the year when Trace came on board, monthly sales have increased by 65%. More importantly, over 90 individuals with disabilities have benefited from the training and work experience they receive at Sensible Cyclery. And thats what its really all about.

Donate used bicycles to Sensible Cyclery. Call 877-725-6319. See our wish list on Amazon.com. Donate your used car. Visit www.caminar.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-13
John H. Clinton, President Lori Paulin, Co-Vice President Jennifer Johnson, Co-Vice President Edward Mathes, Secretary Richard D. Van Doren, Jr., Treasurer Cristina Cuzman Marie Koerper Glenda Lingenfelter Karen McCown Dennis Pantano Windi Snearly Ted Stinson Carol Whitfield