Welcome!

This year the World Health Organization (WHO) is using World Health Day to shine a light on depression. The theme of the day is “Depression: Let’s Talk”, and the overall goal of the campaign is that more people with depression, everywhere in the world, both seek and get help.

Depression affects over 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by feelings of sadness that last more than two weeks along with a noticeable loss of interest in activities formally enjoyed by the person. Common symptoms are a change in appetite and sleep routines, anxiety, trouble making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness. These feelings can lead to thoughts of suicide.

At ServiceNet’s five outpatient clinics, clinicians treat hundreds of people with depression every year. Director of Clinical Services, Karen Franklin, emphasizes that depression is treatable with psychotherapy and medications. Karen added “Knowing what to look for is the first step, and having the courage to discuss it is the second.”

If you have concerns for a friend or family member, you can call the ServiceNet intake number at 877.984.6855.

SOURCE

Staff Spotlight-Jay Indik

ServiceNet is excited to introduce, Jay Indik, our new Coordinator of Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Jay comes to us from the Cutchins Center where he was the Executive Director and Program Director for Children and Families. There he adapted DBT for adolescents in residential and outreach services and for family therapy. 

DBT is designed to help adolescents learn to navigate strong and painful feelings. The process involves group and family therapy, skill building and phone coaching. DBT is a proven and effective model for both adults and adolescents.

 Jay has extensive training in this model and is very well respected in the field. ServiceNet is fortunate to have him on our team, and Jay is excited to be part of the ServiceNet DBT team.  “Given its philosophy and approach, this is the kind of therapy that attracts fun, interesting people with good hearts and a deep commitment to their clients.  So when I was offered the opportunity to re-establish the agency’s outpatient Adolescent DBT program, I welcomed the challenge.”

Prospect Meadow Farm will be receiving the 2017 Local Farmer Award from the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in the amount of $2,500.  

The grant is possible because of several area sponsors. Big Y continues again this year as a Founding Partner.  In addition, the charitable foundation is  fortunate to have Hood, Farm Credit East, Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts as Sponsors.  Thus, total investment in their Local Farmers Awards is $113,000. With these funds, they gave awards to 48 farms this year, including our very own Prospect Meadow Farm!

Last month, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) advisory board in Holyoke honored 3 ServiceNet direct care employees.  The honorees were Michael Depeiza (Leary Ave), Carmen Ramos (McKinstry Ave), and Luz Santiago (Fairway).  State Senator James Welch and State Representatives Aaron Vega and Joseph Wagner were there to present the awards to the honorees.  The staff members were honored for their commitment and dedication to their field of work, direct care of people with developmental disabilities and  brain injuries.

2017 Trivia Program
Congratulations to 
Chris Cattel
for winning the
$5.00 gift card!

Answer this week's question NOW!

We will be featuring a trivia question contest in every ServiceNotes issue. Every staff member who answers the question correctly will be placed in a bi-monthly drawing for a $5.00 gift card.  

The trivia question will be available for 10 days. The winner of the gift card will be announced in the next ServiceNotes issue.
At the end of the year, staff members who participated in EVERY trivia question, whether or not their answers were correct, will be placed in a drawing for a $50.00 gift card.

Happy Wednesday!