Welcome to our third edition of Journey's Pathways newsletter. We have an important topic in this edition. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The CDC reports that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and affects people of all ages. It is a powerful reminder to educate ourselves on the warning signs, get involved with local support services, and have open conversations about mental health.

Here are a few ways you can participate in National Suicide Prevention Month:

• Learn the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Knowing what to look for can help you identify when someone may be struggling. Consider taking a Mental Health First Aid course. 
• Reach out to loved ones and check in on their mental wellbeing. A simple conversation can make a big difference.
• Donate or volunteer with organizations providing suicide prevention and mental health resources in your community.

For those affected by a loss to suicide, check out Journey's Survivors of Suicide (SOS) Support Group. This virtual support group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. Each adult group is facilitated by a suicide survivor/volunteer and a mental health professional. Learn more about SOS by clicking HERE.

The impact of suicide is devastating. Join the effort to fight against suicide by increasing awareness, providing support to those in need, and advocating for mental health resources. Let us build a world where everyone feels valued and has the support to overcome challenges.

Best regards,

Tanya

Meet Ashley Baker, the new Director of Human Resources (HR) at Journey Mental Health Center. Ashley joined Journey in April of this year and was drawn to the agency's mission and supportive work environment.  

With a professional journey that began in hospitality management, Ashley has developed a keen understanding of people and a passion for helping them reach their full potential. Her problem-solving skills emphasize the importance of approaching issues with an open mind and focusing on understanding the root of the problem, a mindset she brings to her role in human resources.  

Outside of work, Ashley's primary dedication is to her family. She can often be found at the racetrack, cheering on her son as he races cars, or at her youngest son's baseball games. She and her family enjoy visiting state parks and being outdoors. In her free time, she loves to bake and humorously quips that she married her husband just to acquire the last name "Baker."   

When not baking, Ashley enjoys investigative journalism. She appreciates how the reporter gets to know the people involved in the story. Ashey says, "I think that's part of what I like about HR. It's really having to dive deep to know the whole story."   

Raising great kids is one of her most significant accomplishments in life. She adds, "As a parent, it's one thing when you think your kids are good, but when you hear from everyone else, you know that just proves you did something right."  

An area that Ashley is fiercely passionate about is disability rights. It's deeply rooted in her personal experiences due to her youngest son's rare genetic disorder, FoxG1 syndrome. Through her son's experiences, she gained an understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and has become a strong advocate in navigating the complex healthcare system.  

Ashley shared that she has received incredible support from everyone at Journey. She added, "The people here have been, bar none, the most supportive, encouraging, and kind people to work with." 

Now that Ashley has been with Journey for over five months, her priorities have been and will continue to involve supporting her colleagues in providing high-quality care to our clients by continuing to build upon a workplace culture that is inclusive, supportive, collaborative, and full of passion. 

Outreach Calendar

It's that time of the year again - outreach season! Keep an eye out for us at these upcoming locations:
 

• Good Neighbor Festival // Sunday, September 8th, from 12 pm to 5 pm, Brittingham Park, Madison.
   
• NAMIWalks // Saturday, October 5th, from 10:30 am - 2 pm. Olin Park, Madison.
   
• Yahara House Open House // Wednesday, September 18th, from 2 - 5:30 pm, Yahara House on 803 East Gorham St., Madison.

Stay tuned for more to come!

Opus Art Exhibit & Silent Auction Raises Funds & Awareness for Mental Health

By Becky Eberhardt,  Marketing & Communications Specialist

The Opus Art Exhibit & Silent Auction, held on May 18 to support Mental Health Awareness Month, was a great success. The event raised funds for Journey Mental Health Center and featured a silent auction with beautiful artworks by local artists. The reception, hosted by Don’t Cook for Cowboys, served delicious food and an art activity. The event brought together many community members to support mental health awareness and the vital work of Journey Mental Health Center. A luminary table provided visitors an opportunity to honor loved ones, and there was also a photo booth area. Thanks to Monica Radtke for cohosting this event and everyone who donated their time and hard work to make it a success.  

Oak Box Location Now at Journey

By Becky Eberhardt,  Marketing & Communications Specialist

Journey has partnered with Safe Communities and is now home to an OAK Box. Overdose Aid Kits, or OAK boxes, are containers that include information on how to administer the life-saving drug naloxone (Narcan) in an emergency, breathing masks, and other information and resources for those impacted by the opioid epidemic.

Safe Communities has connected with many locations across Dane County to make naloxone and fentanyl test strips available free of charge. Their goal is to have the naloxone in each OAK available for anyone to take, no questions asked, to use in an onsite emergency, or to keep in their first-aid kit for future use.

The Journey OAK box is located inside 49 Kessel Ct., on the first floor, on the right-hand side of the wall directly across from the elevator. 

Journey's 2023 Annual Report is Out

The 2023 Annual Report has been published to highlight Journey’s 75-year presence in our community and its enduring impact. This year's report includes a historical timeline of Journey and information on how we have supported our community members and their families. We hope you enjoy reading it.

Drewfest 2024

Last year, Drewfest held its inaugural fundraiser, shining a spotlight on mental health and supporting vital organizations like Journey. We're thrilled to announce that the tradition continues with Drewfest 2024, promising an afternoon of community, compassion, and Packer pride! The event will be held at Lucille restaurant on Saturday, September 29th. Click HERE for more information and tickets. 

Cont. Ed: Mental Health Services through a Solution-Focused/Strengths-Based Lens

Event Date: Friday, September 6, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Dr. William Hutter, PsyD, LMFT
Location: Journey Mental Health Center via ZOOM!
Cost for the Training: $60
Registration: For more information and/or register, click HERE!

Trauma & Substance Use Disorders: Healing Trauma in Recovery

Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Presenter: Robin Lickel, LPC, CSAC
Venue: 
‍(HYBRID) Journey Mental Health Center, 25 Kessel Court, Lower Level Training Rooms, Madison, WI 53711
OR
Via Zoom. Please register for the appropriate ticket when completing the purchase.
3.0 CE Hours: (NBCC/ACEP Approved #6760)
‍Cost: $75
Registration: Click HERE to sign up!

Cont. Ed:  Ethics & Boundaries: Legal and Professional Standards in Mental Health

Please Note: This is a two-part series: Tuesday, October 1^st, and Tuesday, November 5^th

Date/Time (2 Parts)
Part 1: Tuesday, October 1, 2024 / 10 am to 12 pm
Part 2: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 / 10 am to 12 pm

Cost: $60 per session.
SAVE! Register for Parts 1 & 2 for $100!
Registration:
Part 1 / $60: Click HERE
Part 2/ $60: Click HERE
Part 1 & 2/ $100: Click HERE

Presenter: Dr. David Mays, MD, PhD
Venue:  Zoom
2.0 CE Hours Each Session (NBCC/ACEP Approved #6760‍