EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Did you know that exercise can change your brain chemistry in a positive way? The research proves it and now we are offering an opportunity for you to look after your mental health as well as your physical health, all while we are raising some bucks during these tough economic times. You can even bring your dog to this one because we have partnered with Angel Paws (they need money too). We will share in the proceeds from your $15.00 pre-registration fee.

Mental Health America of Licking County promotes good mental health and wellness, so we also want you to eat right, sleep right, have good relationships, work on a positive attitude and be happy. We have free brochures on many mental health conditions, coping with stress, coping on the job, suicide prevention, stigma busting, teen issues, grief and more. Visit us at our office at the rear of Moundview Center, 65 Messimer Drive in Newark (off W. Main Street). Go online at our website www.mhalc.org and click on W 4 W to register or call us at 522-1341and we will help you register.

Thank you so much and please know that we appreciate you.

--Paddy Kutz

Executive Director

Find Happiness

You have got to be kidding me, Ohio is ranked 47th in happiness? I hope that doesn’t include those of us who live in Licking County. Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don’t find happiness. You go through the process of discovering who you are or self-actualization. It’s a big word and a very important process.

A few weeks ago the Gallup Inc. Healthways Well-being Index was released which revealed that Ohio ranks 47th out of 50 states on the happiness scale – in other words, lots of Ohioans are unhappy.

Since the United States Declaration of Independence says we all have the right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” and Mental Health America promotes good mental health and wellness, I have a few suggestions.

First of all, we all must have good self esteem. Remember that good self esteem is a quiet feeling of liking who you are. That leaves out anyone who is boastful, conceited, or a braggart. People who do those kinds of things do NOT have good mental health. Signs of good self esteem include feeling like a valuable person, displaying a positive attitude, knowing you aren’t perfect and are ready to apologize when you make a mistake, and thinking and behaving in ways that are good for you and good for others. Don’t forget that you must be likeable to have others like you.

Secondly, we must get along with others. That means to respect differences and use self control. When you don’t like someone, which happens to all of us, a mentally healthy person will leave them alone. There will be no bullying, name calling, picking on others. If you don’t like someone, make a quick evaluation of what you can change. If nothing comes to mind, don’t get in their face, just leave them alone.

The third part of being mentally healthy is to cope with the demands of life. In other words, manage the stress you experience using positive strategies – no drinking, drugging, lying, cheating, behaving in negative ways, etc.

Our self esteem in built on successes in life and love. If you don’t feel successful in your relationships, change them. If you don’t feel successful in school or your job, change that situation. If you have a lot of stress, work it out. And I mean it literally: talk about it to someone that can help you sort your way through your stressors; exercise daily – you can change your brain chemistry in a positive way by exercising; think positive thoughts and find silver linings in those dark clouds; join a support group to help you deal with your situation; write out your problems so you can see what is challenging you and then seek help to solve it; and eat healthy food (enough said about that).

Then when life seems really tough, look for a hug. It’s wondrous what a hug can do. A hug can cheer you when you’re blue. A hug can say “I love you so,” or “Gee, I hate to see you go.” The hug! There’s just no doubt about it, we scarcely could survive without it. A hug delights and warms and charms, it must be why we have arms. No need to fret about the store of ‘em. The more you give, the more there are of them. So stretch those arms without delay and give someone a hug today.

If you would like a hug coupon, just let me know. We give them out by the thousands. All I ask is that you use it appropriately and with respect. My email is: paddykutz@alink.com, come in or call Mental Health America of Licking Count, 65 Messimer Drive, Newark, Ohio 43055.

MHA is a member agency of United Way, Community Mental Health & Recovery Board of Licking/Knox Co., and NAMI.

--Paddy Kutz
Executive Director, Mental Health America of Licking County

Cobbler's Children

My grandfather, an electrician for Pennsylvania Railroads, never seemed to get around to completing the wiring in his own home, where he and my grandmother raised five children. The wires were looped onto nails and the switches didn't get boxes until he died, at which point my grandmother hired someone to do it. It was a case of "the cobbler's children get no shoes," according to my grandmother.

In the same way, I sometimes catch myself doing a poor job of caring for my own mental health, even though I've learned a lot about mental health by working at MHA for 11 years.

For example, I tend to scarf down my lunch at the computer instead of taking a lunch break. It seems that I will get more done that way, but research says I would probably get more done (and have to re-do fewer things) if I would take regular breaks from my desk.

I need to exercise, eat right, drink enough water, get enough sleep, and find healthy ways to deal with stress to stay healthy, and that includes being mentally healthy.

I need to keep my work area and home a pleasurable place to be in; mess is depressing. I need to make time to spend with my family and friends. Come to think of it, those are the same things I suggest to parents and others that I work with at MHA.

So, I'm going to publicly state my goals for the next few months:

• Start a success team for 4-6 people to meet with me weekly. We will brainstorm with each other about problems and solutions and share goals and successes


• Start an acoustic jam session once a month to get more music back in my life

I invite you to ask me about those goals if we talk. I don't know if it's mentally healthy or not, but for me, fear of mortification is a powerful incentive for following through and a disincentive against procrastination.

Happy trails,

Judith Allee

Parent Support Coordinator