Category: Hamilton Center, Inc. News

 

 

Hamilton Center, Inc. is investing in young minds and the future of Vigo County. The organization hosted a kick-off to the holiday break for students and staff at Deming Elementary School, Vigo County, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on December 20^th, 2018. Alongside Santa and his elves, representatives of the organization lead students in holiday related activities, set up teacher appreciation gatherings, and delivered presents to students and staff. This event is only the first step in a broader plan to support the students and staff of Deming Elementary School through 2019.

In the coming year Hamilton Center will collaborate with Deming Elementary School administrators and staff to discover new ways to connect with the student population. By setting up after school activities, showing support to staff with events and supplies, as well as fostering relationships with families, these young minds will have the opportunity to grow and develop into active members of our community.

“We are so excited that Hamilton Center has reached out to support Deming with a partnership this year,” said Principal McDonald of Deming Elementary School. “Business and community partnerships are so important in helping our schools to meet the various needs of students and families,” she said. “We look forward to the possibilities this partnership will provide in supporting our Deming Elementary School community.”

“Supporting youth in the community has long been a major part of Hamilton Center’s mission and vision” said Melvin L. Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, Inc. “The fact is the youth of today grow in to the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to be there to help them realize their potential,” he said. “Our hope is this will inspire other organizations to get involved in our community by engaging our youth.”

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN.  Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes therapist John Hirschfeld MA, MBA, to the Indianapolis satellite office located at 2160 N. Illinois.

John acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 and went on to acquire a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN (’92), a Master of Counseling from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO (’95), and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University (’08) in St. Louis, MO. John has provided services that include: crisis intervention, family counseling, and individual therapy. He has worked with foster families, students, adults, parents, and bi-lingual patients. His clinical interests are trauma, mood disorders, OCD, veterans’ mental health, and gerontology.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center welcomes therapist Brian Slater, LMHC, to the Bloomfield office and Clinical Supervisor Elizabeth Wampler, MSW, LCSW, to the Linton office.

Brian completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Indiana University in 2001 and later went on to complete a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at Indiana State University in 2010. Brian has experienced the field of mental health as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern Indiana in the Psychology Department and as a therapist. As a therapist he has worked with adults, children, and adolescents in several settings including: in the home, group and individual therapy, and the school setting. His clinical interests are working with substance use/abuse in the individual and group settings. Brian provides therapy using Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and other techniques tailored for each individual consumer.

Elizabeth acquired a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in Sociology and Anthropology and later went on to graduate from Indiana University with a Master of Social Work in 2006. With 17 years of experience in the behavioral health field she has significant experience from a variety of positions including: care manager, therapist, and lead clinician. From in home services to insurance authorizations she has served all ages across a broad spectrum of mental illnesses. Her clinical interests are children and adolescents, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN.  Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center welcomes therapist Stacy Webber, MSW, LSW, to Vigo County Outpatient services at the Hamilton Center main office located at 620 8^th Ave. Terre Haute, IN.

Stacy acquired a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Master’s of Social Work from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has experience as a Direct Service Person where she assisted individuals with daily living needs and conducted skills training. Previously Stacy was a Certified Rape Victim Advocate where she worked on a hotline and counseled victims through their traumas. As a therapist Stacy has gained experience in assessments, treatment planning, and discharge planning. Her clinical interests are in working with military veterans and their families.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN.  Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

 

By: Dr. Ahsan Mahmood, Chief Medical Officer, Hamilton Center, Inc.

The holiday season is joyous and colorful. Along with all the festivities and celebrations, it also brings a mixed bag of emotions, which some refer to as seasonal affective disorder.

Festive music filling the air evokes different emotions. Depending upon which stage of life we are standing in, it can bring happiness, sadness, anxiety or depressed feelings. One can reflect upon how quickly time has passed and what has been gained or lost. Beloved family members who have passed away can be dearly missed and cause one to feel melancholic. Health concerns and financial difficulties can feel strong during the holiday season. Separation from family members can be painful during this time of year and loneliness particularly can make the heart heavy and add to feelings of depression and inadequacy.

Considering that the holiday season can be stressful, some thought and planning for these days can help. Recognizing what factors make one sad and using mitigating ways can assist in dealing with holiday blues. Recognizing when to get clinical help and separating holiday blues from clinical depression is important and should be kept in mind when dealing with self or family and friends around us. Knowing the difference can help us intervene when needed for our own health and for loved ones.

Some tips to help dealing with holiday blues can include:

• Volunteer: Helping others is a great mood lifter. Volunteering at local schools, neighborhood organizations, and clubs can create positive feelings of purpose and alleviates sadness.
• Avoid idle time: If you know that idle time is difficult for you, plan ahead. Fill your calendar with events that are fun for you. Engage in activities that will help lessen sad feelings. Reach out to positive friends. Also, plan ahead to visit places of interest and relaxation for you.
• Confide in someone: Talk about your feelings. It helps to understand why you feel the way you do.
• Catch sun and exercise: Cold winter and limited sunlight can add to seasonal symptoms of depression. Exercise and catching sunlight can be helpful with depressed mood and low energy.

If a loved one has the blues or seems depressed, include them in your activities, invite them out, and encourage them to talk about their feelings and to seek help if they are having significant symptoms which concern you of their well-being.

Holiday blues are temporary and mild, but can unleash symptoms of clinical depression. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in self and loved ones; as prompt help can be lifesaving. One should be concerned and seek appropriate clinical help if:

• One loses pleasure or interest in most activities
• Starts to feel worthless
• Feels excessive guilt
• Significant changes in sleep or appetite
• Suicidal feelings emerge

In the case that feelings of depression set in, one should seek prompt help, and discuss their feelings with a family member or friend. Remember that holiday blues are temporary and affect many of us. We can use support and skills to deal with these effectively.

Terre Haute, Indiana – The Sycamore Ridge Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is raising the spirits of needy families in the community by providing food for Thanksgiving dinners.

Through the Turkey Hunters Care program, the Sycamore Ridge Chapter is providing two hundred fifty (250) turkeys to families in the area to help complete the traditional Thanksgiving dinners. “We are very excited to partner with the Hamilton Center on this,” said Stacy Kueber, member of the Sycamore Ridge Chapter of NWTF. Other partners include: Terre Haute Chevrolet, Simms Painting Co., Inc., Blackburn Collision, Case Construction, Central Indiana Asphalt, James & Julia Koch, Rolly Polly, Premiere Auto, Jim Short, Andy & Brandy Sereno, and Stacy Kueber & Cinda Inman.

Volunteers with the Sycamore Ridge Chapter are distributing one hundred thirty (130) frozen domestic turkeys to the Hamilton Center and one hundred twenty (120) to area churches. The turkeys were distributed to these organizations on November 16th, 2018 to help ensure families in the area will have a Thanksgiving to remember.

“Our goal today is to give our consumers the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving by eliminating some of their worries” said Monica Wallace of the Hamilton Center. “If we can make just one of our consumers struggling during this holiday realize that they are not alone, and that everyone deserves joy on Thanksgiving, then it’s all worth it.”

The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $372 million to conserve 17 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife and introducing 100,000 people to the outdoors each year.

To become a member of the NWTF or join the Sycamore Ridge Chapter, contact Cinda Inman at 765.744.5460 or Indcindy@gmail.com.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, Ind.  Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues, as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services, call (800) 742-0787.