The Medication Conversation
Read the article that appeared in the September 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine.
Yoga, journaling, and rest are all ways we can practice self-care. Going to therapy is a form of self-care. But how often do we think of taking medication as a way to care for ourselves?
One of several ways to take care of our mental health is taking medication to manage symptoms. Yet medication is often surrounded by stigma and doubt for those who have never used it. Those who take medication for mental health reasons are often familiar with how frustrating it can be to find the right type and dosage – it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all situation.
This is another story in a series in which I delve into what authentic self-care is by having conversations with local mental health professionals listed in Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s HELPLINE directory.
Recently I spoke with Marisa Bradbury, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner listed in Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s HELPLINE directory. She practices at the new Ruther Glen location of Grace Health Services LLC. You can learn more about their services at www.gracehealthservice.com.
I started our conversation the same way I always do – by asking how she defines self-care. Bradbury believes that one must know their self before they can truly care for it. She said this often involves a challenging component: “Sometimes you have to be brutally honest with yourself about what you need and what you don’t need, including people.” Letting go of things and people that we once thought were good for us is difficult, but often necessary.
Bradbury provides psychiatric assessments and medication management services, so I wanted to get her perspective about the role of medication in mental health care. “All members of the mental health care team are extremely important,” Bradbury emphasized. Taking medication is just one of many treatments that people with mental health challenges can try. When I asked about her view of psychiatric medication, she shared, “There are some conditions that you need medication for and there should be no stigma attached to it.”
Starting medication doesn’t mean you will be on it forever. Bradbury explains, “Some people need medication for a period of time and then their coping mechanisms take over and they no longer need the medication.”
There are many ways to treat mental health conditions and everyone’s journey is unique. Most people benefit from a combination of treatments, such as therapy and medication. As we continue to destigmatize self-care and going to therapy, let us not exclude medication from the conversation.
MHAfred maintains an extensive list of local mental health providers that we call the HELPLINE. We keep track of the services offered in the area, insurances accepted, and new client availability. If you are looking for a local mental health provider or want to learn more about MHAfred’s programs, call Mental Health America of Fredericksburg at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org.
Anne-Tillery Melson is the Suicide Prevention Education Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
Learning from Each Other
Read the article that appeared in the September 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine.
As I meet with the volunteers and participants of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’s Senior Visitors Program, I always gain some new perspective or insight. I love learning about their experiences and hearing about how their friendship has a positive impact on their lives.
I recently talked with volunteer, Jade and her friend, Gwen. Though they have only been visiting with each other for a few months, they are already wonderful friends.
Jade explained, “I was new to the area and wanted to get involved and give back. I thought volunteering would be a good way to get invested in the community. I found the Senior Visitors Program online and felt that volunteering with older adults would give me a chance to work with an age group I might not otherwise interact with.”
“It has been great to be around someone at a different stage in life from me and who has a different perspective. I have learned so much from Gwen. On paper it may look like we have nothing in common, but we have a lot to offer each other. Gwen is great! She is funny and cheerful. We always have a good time together. We go on walks and share memories and photos.” 
Gwen said of the program, “The [Senior Visitors] Program and Jade are a blessing. God put Jade and I together. She is younger than my grandchildren, but we have a great connection. We have found we have a lot in common. We laugh and talk. We both love the outdoors. With Jade I have been able to walk a little outside or sit on my deck. We both love butterflies. We also both love movie classics. Jade has a beautiful spirit. The more we get to know each other, the more I can see I am learning from her, and she learns from me.”
Gwen went on to say, “Older adults need people to interact with other than family. My family is good to me, but sometimes if I feel sad or lonely, it’s nice to have a friend to talk to. That one-on-one friendship is a blessing. Having Jade in my life is so helpful. I tell other people about the [Senior Visitors] Program all the time. The Lord knows my heart and He knew I needed this program; I needed Jade. My grandson has even noticed the difference in me. He says I am more chatty and cheerful.”
Gwen laughed, “My grandson knows if it is Tuesday, Jade is visiting, and it is a good day!”
To potential community volunteers Jade said, “I would tell anyone thinking of volunteering – without hesitation, do it! When you volunteer, you feel more involved and part of the community. You can learn so much.”
If you know an older adult who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit or if you would like to volunteer to visit an older adult, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org. The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
‘Nobody talks about it’: The rise in youth suicide
Tara Lowery, a parent in Stafford county, lost her son Jake to suicide in 2016. She was recently featured in a video by VERIFY alongside other parents and mental health experts to talk about the youth suicide crisis: Watch the video by VERIFY here.
Since Jake’s death, Tara puts on an annual event every September to raise funds for MHAfred’s local suicide prevention programming in his memory. You can learn more about the event and donate to the cause here.
Our August Stories
An excerpt from Celebrating Friendship: Bonnie & Gil:
“Bonnie and Gil are just one example of how friendship can enrich and brighten our lives. A smile, a kind word, and a listening ear may seem like small things, but they can make a huge difference to both the giver and the receiver.”
An excerpt from Back to School:
“Especially in times of transition such as the return to school, it is crucial that adults and youth stay educated and watch for signs of mental health challenges.”
Celebrating Friendship: Bonnie & Gil
Read the article that appeared in the August 2022 edition of the Front Porch magazine:
In 1935 the United States Congress pronounced the first Sunday in August to be designated National Friendship Day. This year the holiday falls on August 7th.
At Mental Health America of Fredericksburg’ s Senior Visitors Program, we love to celebrate friendship every day! However, we cannot pass up the opportunity to recognize some special friends – our volunteers – whose kindness and friendship make such a positive difference in our community. Our volunteers are our program. Our volunteers are college students, couples, working professionals, recently retired, young adults, active older adults, and so on. The thing they all have in common is a desire to give back to the older adults in their community.
Though our volunteers are only asked to give an hour a week visiting an older adult, they often go beyond that in both time and compassion. Volunteers offer a listening ear, encouragement, someone to laugh with, perhaps someone to go for a walk or a drive with, and so much more. Volunteers offer friendship.
One of our volunteers, Bonnie Newcomb, says of her volunteer experience with the Senior Visitors Program, “I thought the program offered a good way to meet seniors in my community who would be interested in making new friends. I enjoy meeting new people and sharing time together.”
Bonnie started volunteering with her new friend, Gil, in January of this year. “Gil is such a sweetheart. He is a great conversationalist, shares very interesting stories, and has a beautiful smile.”
Bonnie also says of volunteering, “[I appreciate] how much enjoyment I get from volunteering and the kindness of the people I have met.”
Gil says of Bonnie, “She’s good people. She is very friendly. I don’t get a lot of visitors, so she is a godsend. We call and check on each other. I just like her and like her company. I also got to meet her husband and he is real nice, too.”
Recently, Bonnie helped Gil celebrate his birthday. Gil, chuckled as he explained, “I can only have baked things in moderation, but Bonnie brought me a little coconut cake which is my favorite. She’s real good to me.”
Bonnie and Gil are just one example of how friendship can enrich and brighten our lives. A smile, a kind word, and a listening ear may seem like small things, but they can make a huge difference to both the giver and the receiver.
I hope as you celebrate National Friendship Day, you will be able to honor all the wonderful friends in your life. Perhaps you can also celebrate by reaching out and forging new friendships.
Laurie Black is the Senior Visitors Program Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
If you know a senior who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit or if you would like to volunteer to visit a senior, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2 2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org to download volunteer or senior applications. The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.