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Jay Ruais, Mayor of Manchester, NH, recently took a tour of our facility accompanied by senior staff members, (L to R) William Keating, PhD, LCMHC, MLADC – Chief of Clinical Services, Delia Cimpean Hendrick, M.D. – Psychiatrist and Medical Director, Mayor Jay Ruais, Peter Thomas – Chief Executive Officer and Robin Pinard, MA, LCMHC, RYT 200 – Director of Admissions and Outreach.
The mayor has an extensive background in recovery and mental health. He shared his vision for the future of Manchester and serving individuals in need of these services.
| | Tips for Positive Self-Talk | | |
If you cannot say something nice, do not say anything at all. It's a sentiment that holds true not just for the way you speak of others, but also the way you speak of yourself.
When you constantly run yourself down, short-change your inherent worth and dignity, and belittle your accomplishments, it cannot help but have a corrosive impact on your sense of self. It can also affect your mental health, and impede your ongoing recovery.
Some tips for positive self-talk:
- Start each day on the right foot.
- Do not turn little things into catastrophes.
- Remind yourself that you can do anything.
- Remove negative words from your vocabulary.
For more details about each of these tips visit our blog post on the topic written by WestBridge staff member Dan King.
| | Celebrating Independence Day with Care and Compassion | | |
The 4th of July is a time for gatherings, traditions, and celebrations. While many people look forward to barbecues, fireworks, and time with loved ones, it's important to remember that the holiday can also present unique challenges for members of our community.
Many Independence Day celebrations include alcohol. For individuals in recovery or those working to reduce their substance use, these environments can be stressful or triggering. If you're hosting a gathering, consider offering plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and activities that don't center around drinking. Small gestures of inclusion can make a big difference.
Fireworks can also be difficult for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), veterans, survivors of violence, and others who may experience anxiety or trauma responses to loud, unexpected noises. If you plan to use fireworks, consider letting your neighbors and/or celebration guests know in advance so they can be aware and prepare as needed.
This holiday in particular is a reminder that celebration and compassion can go hand in hand. By looking out for one another, respecting different experiences, and creating welcoming spaces, we can help ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a safe and meaningful 4th of July.
From all of us at WestBridge, we wish you a happy, safe, and healthy Independence Day!
| | Staff Spotlight - Helen Parreira, LPN | | |
Helen Parreira, LPN, is an experienced nurse who provides compassionate, patient-centered care across WestBridge's programs. Since joining the organization in August 2015, she has been dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward improved health and well-being.
Helen has been in psychiatric nursing for over 20 years. She is currently pursuing her Registered Nurse (RN) degree while continuing to expand her clinical knowledge and skills. She is passionate about helping others and is committed to lifelong learning and professional growth. Her clinical interests include mental health, chronic disease management, and supporting individuals through all stages of care.
Helen values teamwork, patient advocacy, and evidence-based practice. She strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those she serves through empathy, professionalism, and high-quality nursing care.
| | Chef Bradley’s Healthy Greek Salad | | |
Recipe courtesy of WestBridge's Chef: Bradley Labarre, CEC, CCA, AAC
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pt. grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 c. halved Kalamata olives
- 6 oz. feta, cut into 1/2" cubes
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
Method:
- In a large bowl, toss cucumber, onion, tomatoes, and olives. Gently fold in feta.
- In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, lemon juice, and oregano until combined; season with salt and pepper.
- Slowly stream in oil, whisking until dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Drizzle dressing over salad and toss again to combine.
Printable Recipe
| | This Month's WestBridge Puzzle | | |
This month's puzzle was created from one of our own photos of the WestBridge Common's living room. Take a short break, reset your focus, and enjoy a few minutes of low-pressure problem-solving before jumping back into your day.
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Direct admissions are available in all programs.
Levels of care include:
Residential treatment at WestBridge provides a structured, 24/7 supportive environment for adults who need more stability than outpatient care can offer. At The Commons, a 12-bed, home-like setting, participants receive individualized care for mental health challenges, with or without co-occurring substance use. With consistent clinical support and a therapeutic community model, individuals can step away from daily pressures and focus fully on recovery, building the foundation for long-term stability.
WestBridge’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides structured, intensive mental health and substance use treatment in a supportive outpatient setting, five hours per day, five days per week for 4 – 6 weeks. Designed for individuals experiencing moderate to severe psychiatric symptoms, emotional distress or substance use disorders that interfere with daily functioning, and who require a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy but do not need 24-hour inpatient hospitalization. As such, PHP can serve as a step-down from inpatient care or a step-up from lower levels of outpatient support.
WestBridge offers two Intensive Outpatient Programs, a morning IOP and an afternoon IOP. Individuals are able to attend programming in-person or virtually via Zoom. Additional flexible options will be available soon.
For more information: Call our admissions team at 1-877-461-7711, email inquiry@westbridge.org or connect with us at https://www.westbridge.org/admissions/.
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