Reclaiming Leisure Group

A 12-week group for clients with Compulsive Overeating & Binge Eating Disorder

Facilitated by Kristin Heider, C.T.R.S. and Kandee Kubat Timmerman, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.

Expose yourself to the many benefits of incorporating meaningful leisure outlets into recovery.

Why make time for leisure in recovery? So you can:

• Challenge eating disorder thoughts that creep into your leisure activities and keep them from being enjoyable
• Connect with others
• Lift your spirits
• Learn to appreciate the intrinsic value of enjoyable leisure experiences
• Discover new interests, hobbies, and skills
• A chance to do something positive for yourself
• Have fun!

When: Beginning Friday, June 24; Fridays from 10-11:30am
Where: St. Paul, 2265 Como Avenue

Want to join?
Please speak with your Emily Program individual therapist.

Advocacy (Mayday!) Update

 

Our efforts did pay off! Thank you to everyone who called, wrote letters, and stood with us at the Capitol!

A Press Release from Governor Dayton’s Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2011
Contact: Katharine Tinucci
651.201.3441 office
651-368-0086 cell
katharine.tinucci@state.mn.us                                                                       

Governor Dayton vetoes budget bills, calls for balanced approach and compromise
Today, Governor Mark Dayton vetoed the nine budget bills passed by the Republican legislature in the closing days of session, and returned the bills along with veto messages outlining areas of both agreement and concern.

In his veto letters, Governor Dayton outlined the stark differences and the need for compromise:

“Each of us started our budget proposals by making a choice.  I chose a balanced approach to our budget; one that included both significant cuts, but asked the top two percent of Minnesotans to pay more to ensure our quality of life and the services millions of Minnesotans depend on.  My approach chooses not to balance the budget on the backs of the other ninety-eight percent of Minnesotans.

“In the spirit of compromise, more than one week ago, I cut my proposal in half, in the hopes that an offer to meet in the middle would spur action towards the balanced solution the people of Minnesota have asked for.

“Instead, you chose to present me with an all-cuts approach, one that has serious consequences for Minnesotans, and that I do not believe is in line with our shared commitment to build a better Minnesota.

“From the beginning of this legislative session, it has been clear that compromise would be necessary to balance our state’s budget.  In November, Minnesotans voted for a divided government, and I believe, in their wisdom, they did so because they want part of what each of us has to offer, and they want us to work together to solve the state’s budget crisis and build a better Minnesota.

“Compromise is never easy, because each person must give up something that is important.  Compromise requires us to agree to items that we don’t agree with.  That is the only way we will reconcile our differences on the state’s budget.  I am returning this and the other budget bills to you with the hope that you will choose to work with me, to find a fair, responsible, and balanced solution.”

Governor Dayton released his budget proposal on February 15, 2011.  Since that time, he has twice revised his budget in search of compromise.  Last night, as the legislature adjourned, he noted, “Here we are, on the last night of session --- I’m in the middle, and they haven’t moved.”

###
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Here is the vetoed HHS letter. Mental illness gets mentioned not once, but twice!  Read the letter here.

All letters can be seen on Governor Dayton’s website.

Recovery Miracles

The Emily Program’s Kitty Westin writes:

I believe that The Emily Program produces miracles large and small every day.  I got some proof while testifying to state senators at the Minnesota Capitol during the last days of the 2011 legislative session.

I was speaking as a parent in opposition to the severe cuts in funding for human services in the legislature’s budget. (You can read  my testimony here).  I told how my daughter Anna Westin (right) died after being unable to obtain adequate treatment during her five year battle with eating disorders—even though our family had top-of-the-line health insurance.

The next speaker was a woman testifying about being a personal care assistant for her completely disabled father. But before she began, the woman turned to me and said she wanted me to know that she owed her life to The Emily Program.

She told how she recovered from her eating disorder thanks to us.  She also told how she no longer believed that she’d ever have a child because of the damage her eating disorder did.

But a couple of years ago, she did have a child.

And she named that child Anna.

I was speechless, and the entire hearing room went silent for more than a minute.  It was clearly the most powerful moment any of the senators saw that day.

As I went back to take my seat, complete strangers reached out in warmth and amazement to hold my hand and marvel at what just happened.  It was a miraculous moment that reflected even bigger miracles in this woman’s life.

Working toward recovery from eating disorders is difficult work, for everyone involved—most of all, our clients.  But never doubt that this work is worthwhile.

Our work at The Emily Program is life giving to our clients, and to many other people we may never know and never know existed.

Just ask the Anna I just learned about.

Technorati Tags: The Emily Program,eating disorders,Kitty Westin,Anna Westin,miracle,recovery,treatment,Minnesota Senate,health insurance,human services

The Emily Program and The University of Minnesota Yoga and Body Image Research Study

 

Do you like yoga?  Are you working on your body acceptance, awareness and image?

Consider participating in the 8-week Yoga & Body Image Group and this study!

Your participation may help us better understand the relationship between yoga practice and body image, body acceptance, and body awareness.

Participants will attend a Yoga and Body Image group and complete some brief questionnaires at the beginning and end of the 8-week session.  

If you are interested in more information or in participating, please call Lisa Diers, yoga instructor, at 651. 645. 5323 ext 1140 for more information.

 

The Emily Program
Three (3)Yoga & Body Image Groups starting in June

Each group is 8-weeks and open to clients of all bodies, shapes and experience levels  (no experience necessary)

Interested in participating in one of these groups?
Ask your individual therapist to complete the internal referral form.

These groups will:

• Provide you an supportive and non-judgmental environment to explore your relationship with your body while practicing yoga
• Present you with challenging and rewarding experiences
• Allow you to deepen your connection to mind, body and breath

In St. Paul (Como location)

Wednesdays from 2 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. (June 8^th – July 27^th); facilitated by Lisa Diers, RD, LD, RYT and Stacy Saindon, MA, LMFT

Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (June 10^th – July 29^th); facilitated by Lisa Diers, RD, LD, RYT and Tracy Williams, MSW, LICSW

A group intake for these 2 Como groups will be held Wednesday, June 1^st from 2 p.m.–3 p.m. in the Como Yoga Room

In St. Louis Park

Mondays from 1 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (June 6^th –August 1^st; no yoga July 4^th); facilitated by Lisa Diers, RD, LD, RYT and Annie Heiderscheit, PhD, MT-BC, LMFT

A group intake will be held Monday, May 23^rd from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the St. Louis Park Yoga Room

If you are interested in taking part in one of these groups & the study, and are a client at The Emily Program, please speak with your individual therapist to get started. 

Questions? Contact Lisa Diers, RD, LD, RYT at 651.645.5323 ext. 1140.

Your Voice is Needed

Dear friends and fellow advocates,

We are in the final week of the 2011 Minnesota legislative session and your voice is important:

Advocacy Action Alert
The reduction in the amount of cuts to the mental health system that the senate had proposed and the saving of the school-linked mental health grants is a direct result of your advocacy. Your calls made a difference. But our work is not done. Please make calls on Monday (5/16) and Tuesday (5/17) to the Governor’s office. His phone number is 651-201-3400. Your message should be “I am (your name) and I (live with a mental illness, have a family member, work in the field, etc.). I urge Governor Dayton to veto the Health and Human Services Omnibus Budget bill because of the deep cuts to mental health services and the changes to the MinnesotaCare program and early opt-in for Medical Assistance.” 

Legislative Update:

The Health and Human Services Conference Committee reached an agreement that cuts mental health grants by over $20 million. This is less than the Senate proposed but far more than the House which had spared these grants from any cuts. In summary the bill makes the following cuts over the next two years:

•    Reduces adult mental health grants by $13.54 million (10%)
•    Reduces culturally specific services grants by $300,000 (50%)
•    Reduces adult mental health crisis grants by $750,000 (50%)
•    Reduces grants for adult psychiatric hospital contract beds by $1.33 million (25%)
•    Reduces children’s mental health screening grants by $3.81 million (50%)
•    Reduces children’s mental health evidence-based practices grant by $750,000 (50%)
•    Reduces culturally competency provider mental health grants by $300,000 (50%)
•    Reduces State Operated Services by $5.38 million

The agreement also reduces the Children and Community Services grant by $22 million. 16% of this grant goes to children’s mental health and 6% is for adult mental health.     

On a more positive note, the advocacy efforts of NAMI and MHLN (including The Emily Program Foundation), helped prevent cuts to school-linked mental health grants. In addition, we were able to get language in the final bill that requires that any insurance plans purchased through the MinnesotaCare plan must provide coverage for mental health and chemical dependency.

The bad news: a bill to change  MNCare has passed both the Senate and the House and there are grave concerns about the impact this bill will have on low income people. Senator Linda Berglin was very critical saying it would result in a 60% reduction in benefits for people affected.

For a complete update please go to NAMI Minnesota. 

We need to continue to have a voice and urge  Governor Dayton to stay strong and veto the Health and Human Services Omnibus Budget Bill. Please take a few minutes out of your day today and make the call asking the Governor to not buckle to pressure and preserve mental health services in Minnesota.

Thank you for you ongoing advocacy efforts!

Kitty Westin

Sending Distress Signals to Senators

Kitty Westin with supporters at Mayday!
event on May 2 at the St. Paul Capitol.

Dear Friends,
 “Mayday” is an internationally used code word for distress. It lets everyone know that someone is in grave danger and requires immediate assistance. Today over 100 people (including more than 20 from The Emily Program) joined forces at the Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! rally at the State Capitol. The rally was designed to protest deep cuts in Mental Health services to Minnesotans. The rally showed Minnesota Senators that the proposed budget cuts will certainly cause great distress to children and adults with mental health disorders and their families and we need immediate assistance. Participants held signs and stood outside the Senate chambers as the Senators left for the day. There is no doubt that the message was clear; people in Minnesota care about mental health and will not stand back and quietly watch as services are cut and programs slashed.  We will not allow our State to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens.
Please join The Emily Program, The Emily Program Foundation, and the Mental Health Legislative network at one or more of the rallies taking place this week.
Each rally takes place from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM outside the Senate chambers on the 2nd floor of the State Capitol. 
Tuesday May 3: “Children’s Mental Health Day”
Demonstrate for protecting and investing in children’s mental health. (A press conference on this happens at 11AM in Room Capitol 125) 
Wednesday May 4: Jails & Prisons—the new mental health system
Protest how short-sighted mental health cuts will lead to many victims’ incarceration in county jails and state prisons.
Thursday May 5: Lucy’s Psychiatrist’s Booth Closed for Business
We’ll have pictures of Lucy from the Peanuts cartoon closing up her psychiatric health booth for lack of funding. 
Friday May 6: Emergency Department Emergency
Join the line of people stretching down the Capitol halls to demonstrate how overloaded (and expensive) emergency rooms will become as they absorb people no longer receiving mental health care. 
Please also send a distress message to your state legislators—you’ll find a template at www.namihelps.org. Please act today—and join the action this week! 
Kitty Westin, M.A., L.P.
The Emily Program Foundation