Social Isolation

Fun at home!

You can still have fun, even if you are stuck at home!

Activities to do with your kiddos/family at home:

• Board game/card game night
• Create an indoor obstacle course
• Paint/draw/color pictures
• Read a book
• Watch a movie together
• Play with play-doh
• Have a fashion show
• Have a talent show
• Cook/bake a snack together
• Have a picnic on the floor
• Build a fort indoors
• Play tic-tac-toe
• Play “I spy”
• Play “Simon Says”
• Do a puzzle
• Indoor scavenger hunt

Activities for adults/teens to do at home:

• Write in a journal
• Read a book
• Try new recipes
• Catch up on school work
• Watch a new movie
• Complete a puzzle
• Facetime/skype friends or family members
• Find workout videos
• Yoga
• Coloring
• Rearrange/organize
• Play card games

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Remember: Follow safety guidelines at your local, state, and National level to keep you and your family safe!

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Check out more ideas here!

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention

How to help those around you struggling with suicidal thoughts

Get professional help.  Call a crisis line for advice and referrals. Encourage the person to see a mental health professional, help locate a treatment facility, or take them to a doctor’s appointment.

Follow-up on treatment. If the doctor prescribes medication, make sure your friend or loved one takes it as directed. Be aware of possible side effects and be sure to notify the doctor if the person seems to be getting worse. It often takes time and persistence to find the medication or therapy that’s right for a particular person.

Be proactive. Those contemplating suicide often don’t believe they can be helped, so you may have to be more proactive at offering assistance. Saying, “Call me if you need anything” is too vague. Don’t wait for the person to call you or even to return your calls. Drop by, call again, and invite the person out.

Encourage positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and getting out in the sun or into nature for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is also extremely important as it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

Make a safety plan. Help the person develop a set of steps he or she promises to follow during a suicidal crisis. It should identify any triggers that may lead to a suicidal crisis, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships. Also include contact numbers for the person’s doctor or therapist, as well as friends and family members who will help in an emergency.

Remove potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If the person is likely to take an overdose, keep medications locked away or give them out only as the person needs them.

Continue your support over the long haul. Even after the immediate suicidal crisis has passed, stay in touch with the person, periodically checking in or dropping by. Your support is vital to ensure your friend or loved one remains on the recovery track.

[National Suicide Prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255]

[Local Suicide Prevention hotline: 812-422-1100]

Why Therapy?

Why Should I Come to Therapy?

Who is Therapy for?

Anyone can benefit from therapy, no matter your age, race, ethnicity or gender. Therapy can be beneficial to those struggling with a wide range of disorders, such as; eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. It can also be beneficial to those seeking guidance in their marriage or relationships. Therapy can be a safe place for students, children, and for caregivers. Therapy can be a space to be open and talk with someone about a stressor or a struggle you may be currently facing or have faced in the past.

From Luzio website: We strive to provide the most effective interventions. Therefore, our clinical staff consists of psychologists and therapists with a broad range of training and expertise. In addition to traditional psychological therapies, we provide multiple formal assessments as well as services designed to assist businesses with employee selection and health.

Benefits of Therapy:

• Therapy can help you identify and express emotions from problems or stressors.
• You can develop new or strengthen current coping strategies and skills.
• Therapy promotes positive self-esteem, positive self-talk, and identifies strengths within you.
• You can create different ways of thinking or new perspectives to current problems or stressors.
• You can work to improve or strengthen relationships with your significant other, children, friends, co-workers and family members.
• It is a safe and trusting environment to talk and confide in others.

“It’s up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind.” ― Steve Maraboli

Check out what to expect when you come to our office for the first time!

HELLO NEW YEAR!

HELLO NEW YEAR!

New habits & tips for a heathier and happier New Year!

1. Eating healthier foods: You can improve your health by keeping a balanced diet. It is recommended to eat foods that contain vitamins and minerals. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and a source of protein.
   
2. Getting daily exercise: You can do activities such as; walking instead of taking the elevator, joining a class or a team, listen to music or watch TV while you exercise to make it more fun!
   
3. Relax and take time to enjoy life:  Relaxation has health benefits, including: lowering your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate and reducing muscle tension and chronic pain. Taking time to yourself can allow you to have a clear mind, learn new things about yourself, and can relieve anxiety or stress.
   
4. Have positive self-talk and be respectful toward yourself: All good things begin from within, and a positive outlook on ourselves is a key to attracting more positivity into our lives.
   
5. Stay mindful and in each moment: Mindfulness can be described as the practice of paying attention in the present moment, and doing it intentionally and with non-judgment. Being mindful can reduce stress, improve focus, and improve working memory.
   
6. Strive to be the person you want to be: View life as a journey full of adventures rather than a series of obstacles you have to overcome. Enjoy the ride that life is, rather than focusing on the bumps in the road.
   
7. Drink more water: It is recommended to drink 8 glasses of water a day! Drinking water can help regulate body temperature, can help maintain blood pressure, and can help prevent kidney damage.
   
8. Get adequate sleep each night: Most adults need 7 to 9 hours a night for the best amount of sleep. Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health.

END THE STIGMA

END THE STIGMA

• Stigma is a set of negative beliefs society has toward something or someone.    
• Many people’s mental health problems are made worse by the stigma and discrimination they may experience from society, families, friends, and employers.
• When we treat someone differently, we may be stigmatizing them based on ideas about mental illness that come from inaccurate news reports or over dramatized movies and TV shows.

Effects of Mental Health Stigma

*Feelings of shame, hopelessness, or isolation

*Reluctance to seek help or treatment

*Lack of understanding from family and friends

*Self-doubt

How to Fight the Stigma against Mental Health

*Talk openly about mental health

*Educate yourself and others

*Be conscious of language

*Encourage equality between physical and mental health

*Show compassion

*Choose empowerment

Keeping Your Family Connected

Keeping Your Family Connected

How to help children with their mental health:

• Learn all that you can
  – Seek help from mental health professionals and educate yourself on your child’s diagnosis
  
• Talk with your child’s school
  -Check to be sure that your child is receiving appropriate care and services at school.
  -Ask the school what behaviors they see from your child.
  
• Work with your child
  -Remain respectful and understanding of your child’s feelings and share your feelings also.
  -Be a role model for your child

How to keep your family connected:

• Remember to take care of yourself!
  -You can’t help your child if you are not mentally and physically healthy yourself.
  
  -Practice self-care:
  {Our agency is now offering a self-care group to give tips on ways to relax and find time to take care of your mind and body when you may have a busy schedule!}

• Take care of your family
  -Remember that if you have other children, they may resent being pushed to the side if all the attention is placed on their sibling’s mental health and well-being.
  
  -Keeping a happy and balanced family, by keeping routines consistent and taking time away from screens, can be very helpful in reducing stress levels for everyone, which can help alleviate symptoms of mental illness.

•  Get your family involved
  -If you live with a partner or spouse, or have other children, try to get them involved in being an advocate for your child.
  
  -Focus on your child’s strengths

ADHD AWARENESS MONTH

ADHD AWARENESS MONTH

ADHD Awareness Month is celebrated every October!

• What is ADHD?
  • ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  • It is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children.
  • ADHD also affects many adults
• ADHD is diagnosed as one of three types
  • inattentive type
  • hyperactive/impulsive type
  • combined type

PARENTING TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH ADHD

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Check out these other resources as well!!

Fall Away From Bullying

Fall Away From Bullying

What is Bullying?

• When an individual or a group of people with more power, repeatedly and intentionally cause hurt or harm to another person or group of people who feel helpless to respond.
• Bullying can continue over time, is often hidden from adults, and can continue if no action is taken.

What are some types of Bullying?

1. Physical Bullying
   – Being physically aggressive, using physical intimidation, hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, or touching in any inappropriate or unwanted way.
   
2. Verbal Bullying
   – Using cruel spoken words, name calling, being disrespectful towards someone.
   
3. Relational Bullying
   – Excluding, getting others to hurt others, or spreading rumors
   
4. Cyberbullying
   – Spreading lies, false rumors, or mean words through social media, texting, and any other online resource

For Kids: What can I do?

• Treat everyone with respect and be kind to others
• Understand that everyone is different, but that different is not bad
• If you are being bullied or have been bullied, talk to a trusted adult about the situation

For Adults: What can I do?

• Understand what bullying is and what it looks like
• Recognize warning signs that your child may be involved in bullying
• Be in open communication with your children about bullying and let them know that they can come to you for help
• Model positive behavior to your children

How to Rule Going Back to School

How to Rule Going Back to School

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With summer ending and school starting, there are many new changes happening. Trying to balance all these changes at once can be difficult. Here are some tips to make going back-to-school a little bit easier: get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet, establish a new routine for the school year, and make new friends!

Luzio & Associates offers weekly group therapy sessions for middle school/high school aged children. Group sessions are a great way to build on social skills, make new friends, and build self-esteem for back to school!

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Check out our groups!

• Girl Power | Mondays at 5:30pm | middle school girls’ group
• Girl Talk | Wednesdays at 5:15pm | high school girls’ group
• Life Hacks: Boys Edition | Wednesdays at 5pm | middle school boys’ group | Starting October 9th, 2019
• Parenting Unplugged | Fourth Wednesday of each month 5-6:15pm | starting August 28th, 2019
  • One session group parenting program for $15 per person
  • Insurances are NOT accepted for this group

Most insurances accepted! For more information regarding the groups, or to register, please contact our office or visit www.luzioassociates.com!

4411 Washington Ave, Suite 300 | Evansville, IN 47714 | 812-479-1916

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DID YOU KNOW??

Our very own Dr. Melissa Jones has released her NEW book 
How Many Times Do I Have to Repeat Myself?

Get your copy by visiting today by visiting www.familycenteredlife.com