In an effort to maximize cost savings and be more eco-friendly, we have moved to an online version of our Bell Ringer newsletter. Our new online version will provide monthly legislative news, agency updates, and information on pertinent events in the community. 

MHAST is excited to introduce a new program, the Renewed Hope Project, which is funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). The Renewed Hope Project was developed to revive “the hope of recovery” and to respond to service gaps that were identified by the President’s New Freedom Commission (NFC) on Mental Health. Thus, the program is geared toward veterans, victims of abuse, the incarcerated, and individuals from culturally diverse communities. The goals of the three year program include ensuring that Mental Health Care is consumer and family driven, that there is a successful reentry model program, understanding the impact of trauma, and eliminating disparities in Mental Health Services. For more information, contact Maribel at (607) 778-8888.

Advocates for MHAST gathered in Albany on January 26, 2010 for NYAPRS 2010 Annual Albany Legislative Day. MHAST staff spoke out against cutting community based services during this time of economic strain. Members maintained that times of economic hardships are when mental health services are in highest demand. MHAST members have continuously advocated that cutting these services is the worst economic strategy considering that the alternatives are hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration. In fact, according to a 2001 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, it costs $36,835 per year to incarcerate one individual in a New York State prison, which equates to about $100 per day. Furthermore, the room charges in a local hospital for a single individual are around $1,000 per day, excluding any medications, lab work, or therapy. Alternatively, in 2008 community based services such as Project Uplift and Compeer/Compeer Youth Mentoring, cost approximately $6.12 per day ($2,234.94 per year) and roughly $3.29 per day ($1,201.60 per year) for one individual, respectively. It is clear that cutting community based services not only increases expenditures in other facilities, but also detracts from services that many individuals rely upon.

While our economy seems to be making a slow recovery, many individuals will continue to struggle in 2010 (Schneider & Crutsinger, 2009). Unfortunately, economic strain can take a toll on our physical and mental health, as well. As stated in an issue of Social Work Today, social workers and other professionals have indicated that the status of the economy has created a tremendous amount of stress for their clients. For some individuals, this stress has translated into anxiety and depression. Furthermore, reports have linked unemployment and job displacement to decreases in participation in social activities, lower overall levels of mental health, and substance abuse (Reardon, 2009).
In low levels, stress serves as a protection mechanism. When one feels threatened, the body responds by releasing stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which serve to make you more alert, focused, and energetic. However, your body does not differentiate between physical threats and psychological threats. Therefore, if one is continuously stressed, for instance over money and bills, the stress response may not “turn off.” Long-term stress can result in a variety of health problems. For example, high blood pressure, disturbances in sleep, digestive problems, greater susceptibility to depression and anxiety, suppression of the immune system, as well as increasing the risk of stroke and heart disease (“Stress Management”).
Given this information, it is important to recognize and take steps toward minimizing excessive stress. The organization, helpguide.org, states that some cognitive and emotional symptoms of stress overload include forgetfulness, constant worrying, poor concentration, moodiness, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed. Physical and behavioral symptoms include aches and pains, nausea or dizziness, chest pain or rapid heartbeat, diarrhea or constipation, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, neglecting responsibilities, self isolation, and using cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs to relax. One method to reduce stress in general is avoiding unnecessary stress; for instance if your schedule is too busy, eliminate tasks which aren’t really necessary, or if watching the news creates anxiety, don’t turn the television on.  Another method is to accept what you cannot change; for example, you don’t have control over other’s actions, but you do have control over how you respond to them. Additionally, try to find the positive aspect of any mistakes you may have made and reflect on what you have learned from that experience. Sharing your feelings with others instead of bottling them up can also help to relieve stress. Another way to decrease stress is by adopting a healthier lifestyle through exercising regularly, eating healthier, avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs, reducing your caffeine and sugar intake, and getting an adequate amount of sleep. Furthermore, writing in a journal, listening to music, spending time with friends, going for a walk, reading a book, or joining a club are all healthy ways to cope with stress.
A few money saving tips to help ease financial stress include:

• Plan meals ahead of time and buy only those groceries.
• Freeze leftovers or pack them as a lunch.
• Buy items you use often in bulk.
• Check newspapers or online for coupons. Price Chopper, for example, posts their coupons on their website.
• Sign up for any free savings cards that grocery stores offer.
• Carpool, use public transportation, or walk when possible to cut gasoline costs.
• If you own a cell phone and home phone service, consider getting rid of the landline, or reducing your services to the minimum and use it only for emergencies.
• Try shopping online to find items for cheaper, and search for coupon codes for that website. (If you do not have Internet access, or to cut costs if you don’t use it much, try the public library.)
• Try reducing your television subscriptions and eliminating channels or services that you don’t use.
• Reduce eating out, but if you do, sign up for restaurants’ email subscriptions. Many restaurants email coupons for signing up and provide additional coupons thereafter. 
• Drink water in place of other beverages.
• Buy generic brands instead of name brands.
• Use hand towels instead of buying paper towels.

If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic stress, or would like more information, contact the Mental Health Association at (607) 771-8888.

By Ann Sharron

Schneider, M. & Crutsinger, M. (2009, December 8). As economic recession ends, U.S. stress rate stays the same. Seacoast Online. Retrieved from www.seacoastonline.com
Reardon, C. (2009). Economic Squeeze—The Recession’s Impact on Behavioral Health. Social Work Today, 9(2). Retrieved from www.socialworktoday.com
Stress management: how to reduce, prevent, and cope with stress. Retrieved from www.helpguide.org