JUNE 2012 VOLUME 9

TRANSITION AGE

ADVISORY GROUP ......... 5

Wellness

Successful recovery from mental health and substance abuse disorders

often require a holistic approach to wellness. It is believed individuals

who achieve long-term recovery address all areas of their lives which

include physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Your health is

greatly impacted by your lifestyle and your environment.

Wellness: A Holistic Approach

Physical wellness includes aspects of your life such as diet and exercise. A balanced diet is obviously an important component of wellness. Obesity continues to grow and leads to many other problems and illnesses. In addition to a healthy diet, exercise is important as well. A minimum of 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week, of moderate exercise is recommended for adults. Be sure to consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Maintaining a healthy body and healthy weight not only leaves you feeling physically well but also improves emotional health. Also, obtaining a primary care physician and having regular visits with your doctor are just as important. If an illness does occur, early detection can provide good outcomes.

Emotional wellness includes the ability to cope with the problems that

often result in stress. Major life events, happy or sad, can create stress and it is often thought this stress may be responsible for many il lnesses. Relaxation is one way you can reduce stress. Everyone relaxes in a different manner, whether it is through listening to music, painting, journaling, or going for a walk. Also, utilizing your support system helps reduce stress and often provides positive feedback and solutions to difficulties you may encounter.

Spiritual wellness is personal and involves an individual’s values and beliefs that provide a purpose in their lives. It is important for everyone to explore what they believe is their own sense of meaning and purpose. Exploring spiritual wellness may involve meditation, prayer, affirmations, or specific spiritual practices that support your connection to a higher power or

Words for

Words for Wellness is an annual publication from Value Behavioral Health of PA, Inc., an affiliate of ValueOptions®

VOLUME 9 JUNE 2012

DEFINING CHILDHOOD

OBESITY ....................... 2

NATURAL SUPPORTS ... 4

belief system. Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality. Holistic wellness is an effective approach in taking care of your “whole” self. It is recognizing what affects one part of the system affects the whole person. It is important to keep in mind the consequences of your habits and actions. However, you have control over most of these factors and you can make choices that lead to improved health and well-being.

HELPFUL STEPS TO STOP

SMOKING ...................... 3

FAMILY ADVISORY

COMMITTEE .................. 3 VBH-PA TOLL-FREE

NUMBERS ..................... 4

TEENS: IS YOUR DATING

RELATIONSHIP HEALTHY? 5

All Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania members are sent an annual newsletter

whether you are using behavioral health services or not. Information in this newsletter

will help you understand any changes in your behavioral health benefits for 2012.

NEW VOTER ID LAW ... 2

Volume 9 Page 2

Childhood obesity is the result of

eating too many calories and not getting

enough physical activity. Approximately

17% (or 12.5 million) of children and

adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.

High calorie, prepared and prepackaged

snack foods and fast food have

contributed to children being overweight.

According to the Center for Disease

Control, childhood obesity can have an

unfavorable effect on a child’s body in a

variety of ways. Obese children are more

likely to have high blood pressure, high

cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, breathing

problems, such as sleep apnea, and

a s t h m a , j o i n t p r o b l e m s a n d

musculoskeletal discomfort, fatty liver

disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal

reflux (heartburn). Obese children and

adolescents have a greater risk of social

and psychological problems, such as

discrimination and poor self-esteem,

which can continue into adulthood.

About 55 million school-aged

children are enrolled in schools across the

United States. Many eat meals and snacks

there. Childhood obesity has become

more prevalent with the addition of snack

vending machines and school stores.

Fundraising events, school parties, and

sporting events also can add to the

consumption of unwanted calories.

Many children fail to exercise

because they are spending time doing

stationary activities such as playing on

the computer, video games, or watching

television. Most adolescents fall short of

the recommendation of at least 60

minutes of aerobic physical activity each

day. In 2009 only 33% attended daily

physical education classes in grades 9-12.

Whether your child is overweight, at

risk of becoming overweight or currently

at a healthy weight, you can take practical

measures for a healthier lifestyle.

1. Schedule yearly physicals and well visits with your child’s pediatrician and dentist.

2. Provide healthy food choices and set a good example.

3. Just move every day - exercise with your child.

4. Provide water for your child instead of sugary drinks.

5. Be patient. Lifestyle changes can be difficult.

6. Provide plenty of fruits and vegetables.

7. Laugh out loud.

We can all make a difference if we

work together to help our children have a

happy, healthy, and productive life. Teach

healthy living techniques and live by

example. We can change both their world

and ours for the better.

Defining Childhood Obesity: How to Improve

Healthy Living for Children

Word Search on back page

Word Search Answers

Visit these links for more information on childhood

obesity: Weight Management for Youth www.nutrition.gov/youthweight More than a dozen links to weight management-oriented websites specifically for kids, teens and parents. We Can! www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan Online training and other aids help parents get their kids to make better food choices and be more active. Healthy Weight http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html This page provides answers to some of the questions you may have and provides you with resources to help you keep your family healthy. Health Education Answers www.healtheducationanswers.com/Launch/VBHPA

In the spring primary election, voters

were asked for identification (ID), but

not required to produce it. This

November, ALL voters will be

REQUIRED to show a photo ID before

voting at a polling place in the November

2012 election. Starting in the November

election, all photo IDs must be current

and contain an expiration date. For more

information or to view a complete list of

acceptable IDs, go to www.votespa.com

or call 877-868-3772. If you do not have

one of these IDs and require one for

voting purposes, you may be entitled to

get one FREE OF CHARGE at a

PennDOT Driver License Center.

New Voter ID Law

Volume 9 Page 3

As smokers, we learn early how to put

up a mental wall of denial between our

smoking habit and the damage we are

inflicting on ourselves. A crucial step in the

recovery process from nicotine addiction

involves breaking through that wall of denial

to put smoking in the proper light. If you're

thinking that it's time to quit smoking, or

have just quit and need some motivation to

keep going, use the smoking facts below to

fuel the fire in your belly that will help you

beat your smoking habit once and for all.

Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking,

a person’s blood pressure returns to normal.

Within one year, the chance of suffering a

heart attack decreases by half. Believe in

yourself. Believe that you can quit. Think

about some of the most difficult things you

have done in your life and realize that you

have the guts and determination to quit

smoking. Create your own plan for quitting.

Write down why you want to quit (the

benefits of quitting): live longer, feel better,

for your family, save money, smell better, etc.

Put it on paper and read it daily. Ask your

family and friends to support your decision

to quit. Set a quit date. Exercise relieves

stress and helps your body recover from

years of damage from cigarettes. If necessary,

start slow, with a short walk once or twice

per day. Build up to 30 to 40 minutes of

rigorous activity, three or four times per

week. Always consult your physician

before beginning any exercise program.

Visualize your way to becoming a non

smoker. See yourself turning down a

cigarette that someone offers you. Have

your teeth cleaned. Enjoy the way your

teeth look and feel and plan to keep them

that way. Drink lots of water. Water is

good for you anyway, and most people

don't get enough. It will help flush the

nicotine and other chemicals out of your

body, plus it can help reduce cravings by

fulfilling the "oral desires" that you may

have. Learn what triggers your desire for a

cigarette, such as stress, the end of a meal,

or arrival at work. Avoid these triggers,

or if that's impossible, plan alternative

ways to deal with the triggers. Even if you

do relapse, try not to get too discouraged.

Treat yourself! Put the money you would

have spent on tobacco in a jar every day

and then buy yourself a weekly treat. Buy a

book or some new music, go out to eat,

start a new hobby, or join a gym.

Very few people are able to quit for

good on the first try. In fact, it takes most

people several tries before they quit for

good. What’s important is figuring out

what helped you when you tried to quit

and what worked against you. You can

Helpful Steps to Stop Smoking

Resources to Help

You Quit

1-800-QUIT Now (1-800-784-8669)

Pennsylvanians 14 years of age

or older who smoke or use

chewing tobacco can call to

receive the helping hand they

may need to end their

addiction to tobacco.

National Free Quit Line

1-800-784-8669

American Lung

Association

www.lungusa.org

www.determinedtoquit.com Provides resources for tobacco

users to quit smoking.

www.health.state.pa.us Provides cessation resources

throughout the

Commonwealth. Eight regional

primary contractors provide

cessation services, including

worksite cessation programs.

then use this information to make a

stronger attempt at quitting the next time.

Good luck in your efforts to quit

smoking. It's worth it!

The Family Advisory Committee Needs You! The Value Behavioral Health of PA (VBH-PA) Family Advisory Committee is committed to representing the views of families who support children and youth with the goal of ensuring appropriate delivery of behavioral health care services to all HealthChoices consumers. We are currently seeking family members of adult and children consumers in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties to serve on this committee. Members of our committee receive a stipend for their attendance and, in some cases, mileage reimbursement. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact Karan Steele, Prevention, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at (724) 744-6537 or email her at karan.steele@valueoptions.com.

Page 4 Volume 9

Did You Know?

If you had a question about your benefits or treatment

options, you can contact VBH-PA.

VBH-PA telephone services are available 24 hours a day, 7

days a week.

If you do not like the care your provider is giving you, or if

you are unhappy with the services you are receiving, you

can file a complaint with VBH-PA.

If you are unhappy about a decision made about your

treatment, you can file a grievance with VBH-PA.

As a HealthChoices member, you have the right to choose

your behavioral health provider from a list of in-network

HealthChoices providers.

If you have a mental health or drug or alcohol emergency

while you are out of town, you do not need to be pre-

approved for emergency services. If this happens to you,

please call 911 if available in your location or go straight to

the hospital. Tell the hospital your name and VBH-PA’s toll-

free telephone number on your card. If you cannot give

the hospital this information, please call the VBH-PA toll-free

telephone number on your card as soon as the crisis has

passed.

VBH-PA has a website that has important information for

HealthChoices members. The web address is http://

www.vbh-pa.com which will take you directly to the VBH-PA

home page.

Value Behavioral Health of PA

Member Services Representatives

are available to assist you 24 hours

a day/7 days a week.

Visit us at:

www.vbh-pa.com

County Phone number

Armstrong 877-688-5969

Beaver 877-688-5970

Butler 877-688-5971

Cambria 866-404-4562

Crawford 866-404-4561

Fayette 877-688-5972

Greene 877-688-5973

Indiana 877-688-5969

Lawrence 877-688-5975

Mercer 866-404-4561

Venango 866-404-4561

Washington 877-688-5976

Westmoreland 877-688-5977

TTY 877-615-8502

Natural supports are our families, friends and personal relationships that enhance the

quality and safety of life. This might include immediate and extended family, friends,

community, co-workers and relationships made through participation in churches,

recreational activities, clubs, organizations and other activities within the community.

Relationships with people that are our natural supports can truly make a difference in our

lives and contribute to our feelings about believing in ourselves or in our family. Natural

supports include the people who get us through each day with their support and

encouragement. They are the people we turn to in our time of need or to share in our

accomplishments along our recovery path.

Natural supports benefit everyone involved. The individual or family benefits from the

support by feeling safe, relaxed and independent. A natural support system also fosters a

belief in oneself that “I can do this.” People who are contributing to the natural support

system also benefit from their relationship with the individual or family in recovery. The

relationship produces a positive outcome for both.

People with strong natural supports are more optimistic, healthier and have better outcomes with mental health and substance

abuse issues. Caregivers of individuals with challenging needs who have strong natural supports, also have better health, less

stress and are able to function more effectively as a caregiver.

NATURAL SUPPORTS

Page 5 Volume 9

In a healthy relationship there is respect for a dating partner’s feelings. There is respect for that person’s interests and wishes. Words, feelings and actions are positive and supportive. The number of texts and calls do not control your time.

Ask yourself these questions to begin thinking about how healthy your relationship is. Does my dating partner: 1. Judge me? Lack interest in what is

important to me? 2. Not want to give me personal space? Or

time with friends? 3. Take up my day with texts and calls to ask

me where I am, what I am doing and if I love him/her?

4. Ask me to wear less or more clothing? 5. Accuse me of flirting when I talk to other

people? 6. Request my Facebook password? 7. Say things “out of the blue” to make me

wonder if I have said or done something to make him/her mad?

8. Threaten me or my things? 9. Say he/she is “playing” when he/she

physically hurts me?

10. Say he/she is “joking” when he/she puts me down?

11. Pressure us to have a baby? 12. Forget his/her role in birth control or

often have other problems with birth control? Answering “yes” to any of these

questions can mean you are in an unhealthy relationship. The more “yes” answers you have the more at risk you are for dating abuse.

Dating abuse can happen to boys and girls, whether straight, bisexual, gay or lesbian. Also, it can happen regardless of religion or how much money someone has.

If you need more information on healthy relationships or dating abuse, please call: National Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 (TTY 1-866-331-8453) Callers can speak with a teen or adult to ask questions and talk. See the websites: http://www.loveisrespect.org/ www.loveisnotabuse.com/ http://www.thatsnotcool.com/

Teens: Is Your Dating Relationship Healthy?

This information is available in Spanish. Call our toll-free number at 1-877-615-8503 to request it. Esta

información está disponible en español. Llame nuestro número gratis en 1-877-615-8503 para solicitarlo.

TAAG—YOU’RE IT! VBH-PA is proud to announce the development of the “Transition Age Advisory Group” also known as “TAAG.” With the efforts to promote youth voice across Pennsylvania, VBH-PA has decided to join in this movement and develop the Transition Age Advisory Group. We are actively seeking youth members ages 16-26 from Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties. “TAAG” members represent transition-aged individuals with personal experience in the Mental Health System and have a desire to share their recovery stories. They help promote recovery and create a voice that will inspire others. The members have knowledge and understanding of the Mental Health System to educate future generations. Meetings are arranged and conducted by the youth members with a peer mentor between the ages of 26-30 to provide support and assistance. Members of our committee receive a stipend for their attendance and, in some cases, mileage reimbursement. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact Karan Steele, Prevention, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at (724) 744-6537 or email her at karan.steele@valueoptions.com. VBH-PA held a logo contest for “TAAG”. Youth members ages 16-26 from the VBH-PA counties were asked to submit a logo for the newly developed Transition Age Advisory Group. The winner will be announced in July.

Save the Date for

Upcoming VBH-PA

Family and Consumer

Forums:

6th Annual Family Forum October 5, 2012

Westmoreland County

Community College

Founders Hall

145 Pavilion Lane

Youngwood, PA 15697

Acknowledging the Journey—

NW3 Members’ Forum November 8, 2012

Park Inn by Radisson

3377 New Castle Road

Route 18

West Middlesex, PA 16159

13th Annual Consumer

Recovery Forum April 19, 2013

Pittsburgh Marriott North

100 Cranberry Woods Drive

Cranberry Township, PA 16066

520 Pleasant Valley Road Trafford, PA 15085

PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE

PAID

VALUE BEHAVIORAL

HEALTH OF PA INC

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