January 2020
2020 is a year to find clarity of vision
By Dr. Kiara Kuenzler, CEO

“It’s not what the vision is, it’s what the vision does.” Peter Senge

As I was taking time to reflect on New Year’s about the previous year and what comes ahead, this quote and its meaning has stayed with me.

The past few years have certainly been filled with an unprecedented pace of change and new levels of stress in almost all areas of our modern lives, but especially in healthcare, technology, and government and legislation.

Extreme stress can lead to a fight, flight, or freeze response. It’s not uncommon for organizations to undergo similar acute stress responses during times of change. We are all human after all, and facing unknown or unfamiliar challenges can feel threatening, overwhelming and lead to reactive behaviors. Sometimes swift reactions are necessary to avoid a threat, but constantly operating in this state impairs our ability to be proactive and adaptive for the future.

For community mental health organizations like ours, it is time to move beyond the proverbial putting out fires, and instead move with focus and a vision into the future. 2020 is a year to seek clarity of vision as we adapt and prepare for the next decade, which is why my resolution for Jefferson Center is that we invest time, energy, and resources in the future while making sure we continue to meet the daily needs of our clients, our community, and our team.

When we look towards trends in health care, and pay attention to what drives funding and access to behavioral health services, the following emerge as critical elements to focus our efforts to meet the needs of people we serve:

  • New methods of service delivery that improve access to high quality services, including use of technology to advance clinical care (tele-health, text-based, apps, virtual reality, etc.)
  • Expansion of services to be able to better serve the needs of ALL people in our communities needing behavioral health services, striving for equity and equal access to care.
  • New business development and expansion where there is a community need.
  • Data and business intelligence to continually improve quality outcomes
  • Address social needs by expanding services or partnering within our communities (housing, transportation, food security, etc.).

In 2020, myself and the executive team will be investing time and energy in further exploring how we adapt and move into the future to arrive at the vision laid out above. We'll be engaging with our clients and community partners about their wants and needs. We'll be working with our staff and using the wealth of expertise within our organization to brainstorm ways to move into the future. We look forward to working with our clients and community to explore best practice, whole health needs, and move from ideas to strategy to action.

Dr. Kiara Kuenzler
How reframing the way you think about New Year's resolutions will help you in the long run
Have you ever had a New Year's resolution that didn't quite make it past January? We've been there, too. A lot of us go into the New Year with high hopes to better ourselves and stick to our (sometimes lofty) resolutions, but find that after a few months we’re nowhere near reaching our expectations. While it's great to have goals, aspirations, and dreams, it's important to make them realistic and reachable based on where you are when you start. Here’s a few ways to set your resolutions and stick with it.
 
Ask yourself what you truly want to accomplish: Sometimes, when we make resolutions, they don’t necessarily get at the root of what we want, are too general, or focus on trying to create a habit doing something we don’t actually enjoy, making it much harder to maintain excitement or follow through. Try approaching your resolutions by looking at the “why” behind them and what it is that you want to get out of it. Be specific, and include your purpose in your final resolution as an ongoing reminder.
 
Find some accountability: Having someone who is holding you accountable can help you track your progress toward your goal and also help you stay engaged. Knowing that you have to answer to someone about where you’re at can be good encouragement to keep going. Ask a friend, join a group, or look for online communities for people with shared interests to find accountability partners. 
 
Make smaller, more obtainable goals: When we make resolutions, they’re usually grand and ambitious, like wanting to run a marathon by the end of the year, or travel to 20 new places. While it’s great to think big, it can be overwhelming figuring out where to start. Break it down and create a plan filled with mini goals along the way. Even make ones so small that there's no way you can't achieve it. Not only will you build momentum, but it’ll get easier and you’ll want to continue pushing further.
 
Celebrate your success ! No matter how big or small, you made a positive change to your life! Even small things can make an impact in your overall health and well being. Take a moment to recognize your successes and celebrate. You did it, be proud of what you’ve accomplished!
This month, reflect on the year that's past and look ahead at what's to come
It can be so easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the new year, that we forget to acknowledge and appreciate all that the year before it has given us. With intention, download our 2019 reflections worksheet and take a few moments to reflect on the past year, and use it to shape the year to come.
Jefferson Center expands Mental Health First Aid program with 20 new instructors
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an innovative course designed to give people the tools to recognize a range of mental health problems, and the skills and confidence to help someone in a mental health crisis. As a critical part of our outreach efforts, Jefferson Center is leading the way in bringing this important education to the community, along with facilitating the Jeffco Collaborative, a partnership of community organizations throughout the region that builds upon Jefferson Center’s already successful growth of MHFA.
 
In 2019, Jefferson Center and the Jeffco Collaborative trained over 1,000 community members in adult, youth, older adult, law enforcement, fire/EMS and Spanish Mental Health First Aid.The demand for MHFA classes continues to grow, which is why we were pleased to receive funding from Community First Foundation to host an instructor training at the beginning of December.
 
The week-long training allowed us to add 20 new MHFA instructors to the Collaborative, including seven Jefferson Center employees. With our new group of MHFA trainers, we’ll be able to educate more community members about mental health and substance use disorders, and how they can be of help to someone in crisis.

Interested in taking a free Mental Health First Aid class this year? Click here to view a list of upcoming classes and to register.
Make self-care a priority in 2020
Find out what self-care means to you -- we can help
Are you looking to incorporate more self-care into your life this year? We're here to help with tools, resources, and events to fit your lifestyle.

Wellness Classes

Each quarter, Jefferson Center offers a variety of wellness classes to meet the needs of both our clients and the community. The following types of classes are offered each quarter:

  • Mental Health – anxiety and depression, stress and self-coaching.
  • Physical Health – yoga and meditation, tai chi.


myStrength App

This free online tool provided by Jefferson Center offers a range of resources based on the latest scientific research and clinical advice to improve mental health and overall well-being. Use the app to access personalized online programs supported by simple tools, weekly exercises and daily inspiration to help with everything from depression and anxiety to quitting nicotine or improving your sleep.


Call-in Meditation
We offer weekly call-in morning meditation sessions each Thursday in partnership with the Jefferson County Public Library. Call in from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere you’d like, to reduce stress, quiet the mind, and set intentions.

Call 303-502-5189 on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
What's happening in mental health this month
Stay up-to-date with the latest innovations, programs and news
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