Study Finds Majority of Americans With Depression Go Untreated

Check it out:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1913312,00.html

Lindsay the Intern: Week Six

(This week, our Intern reflects upon how what she has learned about helping people has helped her to help herself.)

A large reason why I find human services so appealing is the fact that it brings different groups people together. For the most part, human service workers stand up for the vulnerable and under-represented, supplementing their abilities with resources and guiding those in need towards independence. Human service workers are advocates for many groups of people.

Throughout my professional and educational development, I have realized that perhaps the reason I am so drawn to advocating for others is because I have a really hard time advocating for myself. If the issue endangers my basic needs or rights, I can stand up for myself, but I often roll over on the smaller matters, afraid of what my peers and superiors might think if I held my ground against them. It is a quality that some might appreciate in the midst of debate and decisiveness, but the more I hold inside and shrug off, the more pent up frustration I feel bubbling inside me. This behavior brought me to a breaking point where I realized, “What good am I to a client if all of my focus and energy is spent on turning over past events and reveling in my lack of presence? How can I stand up for someone if I cannot even muster the professionalism to constructively state my opinion?”

I always thought that my education would help me to better stand up for those in need, but I now see that the lessons I am learning are helping me to figure out how to better stand up for myself. I know that if I want to properly advocate and provide for others, I need to be at peace with myself. The only way I can do that is to compassionately give my opinions and ideas, even if it is not what others want to hear. Along with this is the ability to accept what others think or feel about an issue without getting defensive. It is an equally difficult learning experience to allow others to take the lead, and admit that maybe I was wrong, or didn’t consider everything when making a decision.

By signing up for this career path, I am indefinitely accepting that fact that I will have to work with different people, from all different places and backgrounds. Learning when to stand up for my beliefs and ideas, and when to go along with others who have positive contributions is truly a challenge, but a lesson that will pay off considerably in all aspects of life.

Teaser Number Two-This Time it's a Poem!

So, last week we experimented with prose to hint at our upcoming fall event, and today, we're taking a (weak) stab at poetry. Can you guess the event yet?

On this afternoon I approach a host
Of bulbous, faceless golden orbs
As they rest against the horizon
An orange fire in gilded autumn fields
I guide the most beautiful one away
Planning my carving the way home
  
As the skies darken, I am up to my elbows in a mess
Oh orb, I transform the from the inside out
Discarding all that lies within
To reveal the truth contained without
A truth it seems is up to me
And so with care and time your image I reveal
  
I call to thee the orb named Jack
To see him glow from internal light
 I sit and watch as that orb begins to blink
But next glimmer, I swear I saw him wink
For this my attempt to make things better
For those of them held captive in the cold

More will follow. Stay tuned.

Did You Know?

According to a recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American adults, 70% think that the number homeless families in the country will increase, while a mere 7% think the numbers will go down. 19% believe there will be no change. (Apparently, the remaining 4% must not have had any opinion on the matter). 

83% of people in the survey consider homelessness to be "at least a somewhat serious problem" in the U.S. 

According to HUD's 2008 Annual Homeless Report to Congress (released July 9, 2009), the number of homeless families in the US rose by 9% (the rate of homeless families in rural areas jumped a whopping 56%). The point-in-time estimated increase of homeless families in the state of Oregon rose by 17.4%. (According to this report, Oregon also rates among the 3 states with the highest estimates of homeless persons proportionate to the state's total population-1 in every 200 people.) 51% of the children in homeless families are under the age of 6. Another 34% are between the ages of 6 and 12.

With the national unemployment rate currently hovering at 9.5%, and the state of Oregon's at 12.2%, it seems unlikely that the number of homeless families will decrease anytime soon if all other variables remain constant. 

To read up on the results of the Rasmussen Report, follow the link.

To read the HUD report, follow this one.

CD

Lindsay the Intern: Week Five

This week has been a struggle for me. Not because I am doing something I don’t want to do, and not because there have been any particularly difficult challenges in my wake. This week has been hard because I have had time to reflect and I have come to the realization that I am pretty much, by all accounts, an adult. When did this happen?

I drink coffee every morning. Instead of worrying about the weekend while skipping off to school, I contemplate bills while driving to the office. Sure, I spend time socializing and acting upon what is left of my immaturity, but I cant help but feel a little to close to the top of the hill for my age. It got me thinking, do I accept this? Does everyone reach a point in there lives when they look around and find themselves trapped in routine? I would assume so. I would also assume that there are far more difficult realities to come to terms with.

When I feel as though I am in a rut, all it takes is a little perspective to appreciate the things I have and the comfort and safety that embellishes my routine. My project proposal has given me the opportunity to research the population I will be working with this fall. People with acquired brain injuries each have a unique story to tell. I have found that it is hard to generalize just exactly what an acquired brain injury entails. However, one thing that every person goes through when they acquire a brain injury is a drastic change in routine and reality. For many, tasks that were once done without thought now require assistance and aid. That once comfortable and somewhat mundane routine becomes a distant goal to reach. I imagine it’s a lot like sliding back down the proverbial hill, losing tools from your belt and things from your pockets and turning around to climb back up only to find the hill is now made of ice.

When I think about getting to this point in my life, I realize that it would be incredibly difficult to live it all over again without the knowledge I have gained throughout. My reflection has given me new insight into the real struggle that people with acquired brain injuries must face, while renewing my sense of purpose and giving me a more accurate perception of my own growth. No one should feel badly for questioning their place in life, but it is always good to take it a step further and think of the positive aspects and remember that everyone struggles in one capacity or another.

Links

Objects In Cyberspace:

Attention aspiring film makers: Nike and The Homeless World Cup are offering a $50,000 fund to produce a short film (5 minutes, no more than 10 minutes) capturing the Spirit, Unity, Victory of the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup, which will be held 6-13 September 2009. For more information on the Homeless World Cup, check out this link.

The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts hosted a very successful brain injury awareness walk/run. The 2nd annual Walk for Wishes Begun attracted hundreds of participants and helped raise awareness for an all-too-common issue. Along the same lines, ShelterCare will soon be hosting its 1st annual Summit Challenge run/walk. If you haven't already done so, please check out www.sheltercareevents.com.

Here is what Dear Abby has to say about a woman who is haunted by her initial reaction to the discovery an old friend is now homeless.

A Seattle suburb was found by the state Supreme Court to have violated the state constitution by using a temporary ban on development to block a church's effort to set up a tent city for the homeless.

CD

Story Time: A Teaser About Another Upcoming Event

Yesterday, our Intern Lindsay announced our Summit Challenge trail run/walk. This event will be quite exciting, but do keep in mind that the Development Department at ShelterCare is in the process of cooking up other events for a later date. The first event is not quite ready to be revealed to the public, but we are positively bursting with anticipation in the back office of Administration. Therefore, we decided it would be fun to slowly reveal the event through a short series of short teaser stories. Here is the first installment. Enjoy!

It is a dark autumn evening in the market square. The air is crisp and chilled with the hint of winter, which has not yet captured the town in its icy grip. The fragrant smell of rich cuisine delights the nose and the spirit is warmed by the inviting glow of charming shops.
  
 Scores of people dressed warm and cozy mill about the street. An elderly couple clasps mittened hands, while nearby a young father in a red woolen hat laughs as he restrains his boy from charging ahead too quickly. Four teenagers in parkas and grey hooded pullovers animatedly discuss the past week’s dramas at school. At all different points in life and experience, yet united in this night’s destination at least, the crowd makes it way to the plaza ahead, which basks in the glow of a thousand tiny points of light. The elderly man turns to his wife and whispers playfully, “Ah yes, tonight will be one for the ages.” 

CD

Lindsay the Intern: Week Four-Announcing ShelterCare's 1st Annual Summit Challenge

(This summer, Lindsay has been helping the Development Dept. at ShelterCare with the planning of some exciting new events intended to replace our fundraising auction. The first of these events is ShelterCare's Summit Challenge, which will take place on Saturday, August 8, at 8:30 am. Please read Lindsay's entry and see below for where to obtain more information about this exciting new event.)

I have been thinking a lot about the qualities it takes to do human service work over my first few weeks back. Perseverance, strength, endurance, discipline, dedication, and humility all come to mind. These traits can also be found among the clients at ShelterCare who have shown courage in committing to turn their lives in a positive direction.

Lately, I have been helping to develop a new fundraising event for ShelterCare. We are pleased to announce our first Annual Summit Challenge. It will be a seven kilometer run traversing the beautiful mount Pisgah. As you may know, the themes of past fundraising events have fit nicely with the overall mission of ShelterCare. Although I thought a run would be fun, it was hard for me to draw that same enticing parallel that had impressed me in the past. However, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. The same qualities that exist within staff and clients of ShelterCare exist within runners and walkers. In essence, runners must train, show discipline and dedication, admit their faults, and be realistic while pushing through the most brutal of obstacles. The same goes for the slower yet steady activity of walking. Like those at ShelterCare, walkers gain steady footing and move towards a goal with vigor and commitment. The pace is not important; it is the ability to strive for something better that links us all together.

The success of ShelterCare would not be possible if it weren’t for clients and staff tirelessly working for themselves and others. This run is a way of asking the community to join that effort and take time to relate to the energy and passion it takes to fight homelessness in Eugene.

For more information and to register, please visit www.sheltercareevents.com.

10 "Meanest" Cities for Homeless People

The National Coalition for the Homeless released a report today called Homes Not Handcuffs: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities. Among other things, this report contains the top 10 "meanest" cities for homeless people to live. Here they are:

 

10. Berkeley, CA

 9.   Brandenton, FL

8.  Honolulu, HI

7.   San Francisco, CA

6.   Kalamazoo, MI

5.   Gainesville, FL

4.   Atlanta, GA

3.   Orlando, FL

2.   St. Petersburg, FL

1.   Los Angeles, CA

So, how did these cities make the meanie list? Well, the organization looked specifically at the criminalization of homelessness. The number of laws against aspects of homelessness, actual enforcement of the laws, and severity of punishment for breaking said laws were all examined. Also considered was recent and/or pending legislation against homelessness (indicating a new or continued hostility towards the homeless as opposed to laws passed decades ago and more or less forgotten about). The political climate towards the homeless within the city was taken into account as well.

To view the report in its entirety (including the "meanest" cities breakdown and detailed explanation, which begins on page 33), go here.

CD

Lindsay the Intern: Week Three

In class, we have been discussing how to propose our senior projects in a way that would compel our superiors to support and join in our efforts.  The idea of teaching a life skills class to any population seems necessary. We could all brush up on some aspect of life. For some, learning to do taxes might be a skill worth developing. For others, the proper flossing techniques may have eluded them in the past. Defining life skills is an important piece when arguing for its validity, however, it is such a broad concept that it has become difficult to explain.

            Recently, I had the opportunity to present the idea for the class to the residents. I stoop up, puffed my chest out, and put on a “you’re all going to love me” smile. “Hi, my name is Lindsay and I will be teaching a Life Skills class here this fall”. Without hesitation, or pity, a women jutted, “oh yeah, and what are life skills?”  My intelligent well thought out response? “Like nutrition…”

            Clearly, I was not prepared for the question to be asked, not by a resident, not by anyone really. For the sake of sanity, I decided that life skills should be defined in terms of the population being addressed. People with brain injuries must be similar right? They probably all need to learn the same things. Wrong. In fact, the only thing linking people with brain injuries together is the fact that they have brain injuries. That is it. So how then, can I break down the massive category of life skills in order to appropriately capture the Uhlhorn residents? The answer is really pretty simple; ask them! Life skills are simply tools and rules needed to live independently and successfully in the world. After that, the definition extends to what the people in question want to know. The next phase of my project will be to gather information from the residents so that I can create a curriculum of life skills that fits their needs and moves them towards independence.

Lindsay the Intern Week Two

I have never been a very patient person; my family can attest to this (In fact, I am sure they would love to share some stories at my expense). This quality has affected my life in both positive and negative ways. In the absence of patience, I would consider myself a go-getter. Because I cannot stand waiting around for things to happen, I make them happen. Some might call it ambition, but I know my nature is simply the result of waiting-induced anxiety. Despite the negative connotations of lacking patience, I have found it to be the reason for many of my achievements. Getting into the Family and Human Services program was the result not wanting to delay starting on my career path. I knew the gist of what I wanted to do, and not many programs give you the opportunity to spend the majority of your time in the field. So naturally I had to be a part of it. But as life goes, once you jump one hurdle, you soon find yourself approaching another.

  Even though I have my final internship tied down, and my senior project drawn to a point, I can’t help but view the task of teaching life skills to people with traumatic brain injuries as another huge hurdle to leap. I can already feel that anxiety, that itch to dig in. I feel like a runner hunched at the line waiting for the gun blast to signal the full-on sprint that is the end of my undergraduate career. However, I am learning now that before I can start the race, I need to learn to run.

          The majority of this project should be spent on preparation and practice. In order for the residents to have a meaningful experience where they are truly gaining knowledge, I have to base the class on their needs and interests, not my assumptions. I need to know my audience, how to approach them, and what they expect of me. There is no quick simple means to an end in this situation. For a moment, my lack of patience got the best of me. I was ready to start the class before taking the steps needed to make it worthwhile.

  I have always considered practice and preparation to be an integral part of any process but could not find the patience to take the necessary time. Now that people’s lives and independence are at stake, it is time to change my ways and focus. Not on my need for immediate gratification, but rather on the long term effects and impact I can make if I truly pace myself.