Rappahanock Area Community Service Board

Practicing Kindness for Your Mental Health

Amy U — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:43:18 +0000

There’s a strong and positive connection between kindness and mental health. Here’s how:

Benefits of Kindness on Mental Health:

Reduced Stress and Anxiety:Acts of kindness trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of calm and reduces stress.
Increased Happiness and Well-being: Kindness activates the reward centers in the brain, leading to the release of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and happiness.
Improved Self-esteem: Helping others fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment, boosting self-worth and confidence.
Stronger Social Connections: Kindness fosters positive relationships and combats feelings of isolation, which can be detrimental to mental health.
Greater Sense of Perspective: Focusing on the needs of others can help shift attention away from personal worries and cultivate a more positive outlook.

Where to start?��Kindness can be as simple as giving a smile or a compliment. Sometimes we think it needs to be a grand gesture, but every act of kindness is important.

To help you think of more ways to be kind, our HopeStarters created a list of their favorite acts of kindness:

Once a month I pay for the order of the car behind me in the drive through.�� There is no rhyme or reason to the car or the restaurant, it’s when the spirit hits.�� Sometimes it may be twice a month; however, it is always once.�� The emotional benefit is I feel good that I may have made someone smile.�� I remember on one occasion the car behind me gave the cost of their order as a tip to the car hop. (it was at sonic)�� So the act of kindness was payed forward.�� I began doing this 10 years ago when someone in the car for me paid for my order and it made me feel grateful for someone just being kind.
My favorite random act of kindness (when i know the person) is surprising them with something i know they want or enjoy… like their favorite food or candy, or a book they are interested in reading.
For people that i don’t know, my go-to act of kindness is usually letting someone merge in traffic, or holding the door open for them and engaging in small, smile-inducing conversation.. like complimenting the person on their hair or shoes. I have noticed that people appreciate “common courtesy” more nowadays, probably because it isn’t very common anymore.
My random act of kindness is paying for the person behind me in line at Starbucks or a fast food restaurant. I also send lunch to the guys where I get my oil changed after I leave the shop. It’s not much, but it makes me happy and I hope it makes them happy enough to pay it forward when they can.
Random act of kindness for me, was when at the Aldi I noticed a couple going through their items trying to add things up to make sure they had enough money. They were 2 spots back from me in the checkout line, so I gave the cashier 20$ and said make sure this goes to that couple to help with their groceries. I left before they checked out so they wouldn’t feel the need to thank me.
I love giving small specific compliments to folks. ��It’s amazing how people’s face light up, even for the little things.
We once went to a dollar store and taped dollar bills on the non display side of toys (so when kids picked them up they’d have the money to get the toy)
We went to an arcade and taped baggies of quarters to the sides of the machines.
While in the drive through line, we paid for the car behind us.
Heart attacking the front door of someone’s home/office (taped heart shaped messages of gratitude for the person/family
Genuinely complimenting someone- especially those that might be providing a service (cashier, pharmacist, waiter/tress)
Holding doors for someone
Telling or writing to someone about what they do well
Expressing gratitude- every single chance you get
Believing in someone’s potential
Taking garbage cans up to the house/garage for a neighbor
Picking up litter in parks/outdoor areas
Warning someone when the toilet stall is out of toilet paper
Keeping confidences
Sending little pick me up messages or funny memes

Need more ideas? We created a kindness calendar that you can download and print. Put it on the fridge or a bulletin board for a reminder to practice kindness.

On of the ideas on the calendar is to take suicide prevention training. You can find details about our community trainings here.��

Important Note: Kindness should be a balanced practice. While helping others is beneficial, it’s crucial to prioritize your own well-being and avoid burnout.

Here are some resources for further information:

Mental Health Foundation:
American Psychiatric Association:
Mayo Clinic:

Spring Plant Sale 2024

Amy U — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 20:00:19 +0000

Did you know that gardening can reduce anxiety, spark creativity and increase productivity? And that’s on top of providing physical exercise and getting Vitamin D. And when gardeners purchase plants from Rappahannock Adult Activities, they are also supporting their community.

RAAI’s annual Spring Plant Sale starts March 29 and features annual flowers, herbs, veggies, native plants and hanging baskets, providing shoppers an opportunity to purchase quality plants while helping adults with developmental disability flourish in their community.

Customers can purchase plants at 750 Kings Highway in Stafford County on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Want to make your spring extra fabulous? Join us for a blooming good time at our annual Garden Party, which will be held April 18, 6-9 p.m. at 750 Kings Highway. This fundraiser will feature food from , live music from , cupcakes from Amberly Shaw and beverages from .

Tickets are $50 and available online. We also have sponsorship opportunities. This support provides adults with disabilities opportunities to build friendships, skills and hobbies.

Young Adult Survey

Amy U — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:42:57 +0000

Are you 18-25? Or do you know someone who is? We’re looking for young adults for an important survey about health and wellness. Sharing your opinions and experiences will help create a community that better meets everyone’s needs.

��Text Virginia to 888-688-5128 for the survey link*!

*Note: This is solely to send a survey link to your phone number and it will not be used for any other purpose or marketing. Your responses are not connected to your number in any way. Your number will be deleted from the system after the survey closes. If you do not have access to a phone or do not feel comfortable providing your phone number to access the survey, please email yas@omni.org.��

The first 300 local respondents will receive a digital $15 gift card (choose from Amazon, Target or Wal-Mart).��

We’re collecting the results for the greater Fredericksburg community and we hope to reach as many people as we can. Please help by taking the survey–and by spreading the word.

This statewide survey of young adults was developed in partnership with Virginia’ss (OBHW) at the (DBHDS) and their partner, OMNI Institute, a nonprofit organization working with Community Service Boards (CSBs) and coalitions across Virginia.��

It should take 10-15 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous.��

If you have any questions, please contact prevention@rappahannockareacsb.org.��

��Thank you so much helping us keep Virginia healthy!��

Mental Health Training for Barbers and Hairstylists

Amy U — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 21:30:51 +0000

Many a story has been told over the hairdresser’s chair and many a secret told between snips at the barbershop. Barbers and hairdressers often become more than a stylist, serving as a confidant, making them more likely to tackle topics like mental health and substance abuse.

BarberShop Talk and SalonTalks will be held in February at two different businesses. These free sessions will give participants a better understanding of mental health conditions and of local community resources. It will also provide an opportunity for naloxone training to reverse opioid overdoses.

The BarberShop Talk will be facilitated by Gary “Trey” Taylor, a licensed clinical social worker and author who specializes in breaking barriers and stigma surrounding mental healthcare. Taylor earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and Master’s Degree in Social Work from George Mason University. Taylor, a former local therapist and owner of , partnered with ��app in 2022 to host the first Barbershop Talk, a public conversation about mental health held at a local barbershop. Three additional events were held in 2023.

Antaysia Nance, a licensed clinical social worker with , will facilitate training at the SalonTalks event.�� Nance supports clients to find healthy coping tools and provide a safe space to process these difficulties. She earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of South Florida and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University.

The sessions will be:

·�� SalonTalks, Feb. 19, 6-8 p.m. at Flawless Beauty Bar; 6330 5-Mile Centre Park Suite 402; Fredericksburg, Va. 22407

·�� BarberShop Talk will be held Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m. at Diced the Barbershop; 17488 Center Drive Suite 3C; Ruther Glen, Va. 22546.

Download event flyers here.

For details, email��prevention@rappahannockareacsb.org.

Earn and Learn Internship Now Available

Amy U — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:38:36 +0000

More than one-half of Americans with mental illness do not receive treatment, partly due to a severe shortage in the behavioral healthcare workforce. A local community college has teamed up with the area’s community services board to tackle this shortage with an innovative “earn while you learn” program.

��app and Germanna Community College have launched a new Behavioral Health Technician program to offer hands-on experience combined with education. This effort will run Nov. 1 through Feb. 12, 2023 and the deadline for applying to the program is Oct. 13.

The program is open to individuals ages 18 and above and will include virtual and in-person classes and paid internships through ��app. The program is funded by the Claude Moore Foundation and is free for participants.

“The behavioral healthcare workforce shortage will continue to grow if we don’t step up and find solutions,” said Brandie Williams, ��app Deputy Executive Director. “This program should increase interest in the behavioral healthcare field, plus help people get the training, education and experience they need to enter the field. We hope students will discover just how rewarding this work is.”

Interested students should .

Partnering to Prevent Suicide

Amy U — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:54:12 +0000

In 2022, 53 local residents died by suicide. That’s an increase of 11 from 2021, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health.

The Rappahannock EMS Council will use their monthly COPES Stakeholders meeting on September 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. to focus on suicide prevention. Attendees will hear about local suicide data, the state strategic suicide prevention plan, risk and protective factors, local community resources, and supports available for service members, veterans, and their family members (SMVF).

To register for the COPE Stakeholder meeting on September 20, 2023:

COPE stands for Community Outreach Patient Engagement. An outreach program of the Rappahannock Emergency Medical Services Council, it is a community-focused health and social wellness initiative.

To learn more about COPE and how you can get involved, please visit

Presenters include:

Allison Balmes-John, Population Health Manager, Rappahannock Area Health District
Laura Robertson, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
Angela Jameson, Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, Central Virginia VA Healthcare System
Michelle Wagaman, Prevention Director, ��app

Community members who would like to participate in the formation of a local suicide prevention coalition are invited to attend an interest meeting on October 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the ��app at River Club location (10825 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, VA 22408).

School-Based Therapy

Amy U — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:04:54 +0000

About half of children with mental health disorders receive treatment, and while the numbers of youth experiencing anxiety have risen, the numbers of those receiving therapy and/or medication have not. While behavioral healthcare provides the best outcomes for children and adolescents, many barriers prevent them from receiving the treatment they need.

To remove some of those barriers, our agency started offering school-based mental health services in 2022. A recent grant from will allow the agency to expand those services.

“Mental health concerns can impact students’ ability to learn,” said Jacque Kobuchi, Director of Clinical Services. “Early access to treatment can have a dramatic and lasting effect. We’re seeing positive results from our school-based services and this grant will allow us to help even more students.”

��app will receive $79,800 from the of Mary Washington Hospital Foundation. The grant will provide the resources for ��app to add a full-time child and adolescent therapist who will be based in a local school division.

��app’s school-based therapy started in and then expanded to . The services include assessment, case management, counseling and family support services.

Such services are in demand—in a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, . And nearly half of teens reported feeling so hopeless that they curtailed their usual activities.

“Statistics about youth mental health needs are alarming,” Executive Director Joe Wickens said. “But community support, like this grant, allows us to address these needs and bring hope to educators, caregivers and—most importantly—students.”

We’re excited to expand our school-based services but with so many youth experiencing mental health concerns, we know that this won’t meet all of the need. This for parents and caregivers who worry about a child’s mental well-being.

Mental Health America offers a helpful to help children and teens navigate emotional health in a digital world.

Overdose Awareness Day 2023

Amy U — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:04:21 +0000

Opioids claimed the lives of more than 2,100 people in Virginia last year, according to reports from the Virginia Department of Health. In Fredericksburg and its four surrounding counties, 115 people lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2022.

Locally, community partners are coming together to remember loved ones lost and to continue their efforts to end overdose. August 31 is annually recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day. Several local events are planned:

Paint the Town Purple
��app’s prevention services team encourages the community to wear purple to show support for ending the stigma and preventing overdoses. The team suggests people snap selfies and share on social media using #ENDOVERDOSEFXBG or email pictures to prevention@rappahannockareacsb.org.

Drive/Walk Up Free Narcan with Training
Interested individuals can receive a quick, 10-minute training on reversing opioid overdoses and a free dose of naloxone:

9 a.m. to noon, Germanna Community College’s Fredericksburg and Locust Grove campuses
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Mary Washington’s Katora Coffee
4-7 p.m. Spotsylvania Towne Center in the parking lot near Jared.

Virtual Screening and Panel of Local Experts

Get a closer look at the impact of overdoses with a virtual screening of the short documentary “The Fentanyl Crisis: Stories of Heartbreak and Hope” via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. A panel discussion with local providers and individuals in recovery will follow the film. Sign up online at .

To learn more about preventing opioid overdose, visit

The Dangers or Fentanyl and Xylazine

Amy U — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:26:41 +0000

As we approach International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, let’s discuss something that is important for our community and state: the increase in overdose cases involving fentanyl and xylazine.

It’s crucial that we address this issue quickly in order to protect ourselves and the people we care about.

So, let’s take a look at the alarming statistics from 2022 and explore the steps we can all take to fight against this threat.

This year, there has been a significant rise in overdose cases related to the dangerous combination of fentanyl and xylazine. According to recent data from the Virginia Department of Health, there were 1,983 documented cases of overdose involving these drugs, which is a 67% increase from pre-pandemic overdose fatalities. It is heartbreaking to note that fatalities resulting from these overdoses have gone up by 90%, and are expected to continue to rise by the end of 2023.

In order to fully understand the seriousness of this situation, it’s important for us to realize how potent these substances are. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is about 50 times stronger than heroin. It is often disguised as fake prescription medications or mixed with other drugs, which makes it extremely dangerous due to its high toxicity.

Meanwhile, xylazine, a veterinary sedative, has made its way into the illegal drug market, making the danger of fentanyl even worse. It’s undeniable that this deadly combination has had disastrous effects.

We, as a community, have the power to fight against this epidemic, and education is an important part of our efforts. Please share this valuable information with your friends, family, and neighbors to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and xylazine. Encourage individuals who are struggling with substance use to seek help from local treatment centers and support groups that provide effective resources.

More important, let’s concentrate our efforts on implementing strategies to reduce harm. Let’s advocate for the availability of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, in our communities. Naloxone has proven to save lives in emergency situations. Additionally ��app as well as private providers offer an array of treatment services.

highlight the urgency of the situation, with a significant increase in both overdoses and fatalities. By educating others and ourselves about the dangers, we can create a caring and well-informed community that stands united against this devastating crisis. Let’s work together to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.

See how our community is recognizing individuals and families impacted by overdose fatalities and substance use disorders as we bring attention to International Overdose Awareness Day activities.

Coloring and Coping Skills

Amy U — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 19:14:59 +0000

Coloring seems like a fairly simple activity. But it has tremendous mental health benefits.

Coloring promotes mindfulness. The basic tasks of choosing hues and coloring the design help your mind stay in the present moment.��

Coloring can quiet your negative thoughts. By staying in the present and concentrating on simple decisions–such as yellow or cyan for that flower–keeps your brain too busy to focus on the negative thoughts that can interfere with your mind.��

Coloring relaxes your brain. With your negative thoughts quiet for a bit and your mind focused on simple, low-stakes decisions, your brain can relax for a bit.��

Coloring strengthens your mind. This simple activity requires the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate–which in turn, helps your brain grow stronger.��

Ditch the blue light

We know that electronics interrupt sleep, yet so many of us turn to apps to try and “shut off” our brains. Coloring is a much better way to relax your mind, quiet your thoughts and get ready to snooze.

Remind yourself

Many adult coloring books come with messages of support, acceptance and encouragement. These can be powerful reminders of what is important in life.��

These motivational coloring books or pages can go a long way toward inspiring you to work on issues and to feel better about the future.��

Try coloring and see the benefits for yourself. Click on any of the images above to download a coloring sheet.��