Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)™ A Community Wellness Program provided by Mental Health Association of South Mississippi This program is funded by a generous grant from:

Using WRAP to Help Others  5 Key Concepts to Wellness  Wellness Tools for You  Understanding Trauma (briefly)  Helping Others to Build a Wellness Toolbox

The 5 Key Concepts of Wellness:  Hope  Personal Responsibility  Education  Self-Advocacy  Support

Wellness Tools for You  Wellness Tools are simply those things you know from experience help you get well, be well and stay well  There are lots of common wellness tools that are safe, simple, cheap or free, and easy to access like exercise, nutrition, journaling, peer support, relaxation techniques  Wellness Tools are whatever works... and they may be unique to each person

What are Your Wellness Tools? Simple… Safe… Free (or very cheap)

Understanding Trauma Common Sources of Trauma for Mississippians  NATURAL DISASTERS  20% of Children and 31% of adults experienced serious emotional disturbances. (NIMH)

Understanding Trauma Common Sources of Trauma for Mississippians  WAR  Children who have a parent deployed are 2.5x more likely to develop trauma-related psychological symptoms.  84,000 spouses experience anxiety disorders.  5,000 military families are at high risk of developing dysfunction in the home.  5,000 veterans are receiving disability related to combat trauma and injuries. (VA)

Understanding Trauma Common Sources of Trauma for Mississippians  CANCER  6,000 Mississippians die each year of cancer.  Deaths occur in the poorest parts of the state at twice the rate of more economically stable regions.  3,600 new diagnoses of cancer occur each year. (National Cancer Institute)

Understanding Trauma Signs of Trauma  Shock, denial, or disbelief  Anger, irritability, mood swings  Guilt, shame, self-blame  Feeling sad or hopeless  Confusion, difficulty concentrating  Anxiety and fear  Withdrawing from others

Understanding Trauma Signs of Trauma  Feeling disconnected or numb  Insomnia or nightmares  Memories and flashbacks  Easily startled

Understanding Trauma Signs of Trauma  Racing heartbeat  Aches and pains  Fatigue  Difficulty concentrating  Edginess and agitation  Muscle tension

Helping Others to Build a Wellness Toolbox ASK: What are you like when you’re well?  “If someone had never met you when you were well, what would you tell them about yourself?”

Helping Others to Build a Wellness Toolbox ONLY make this list at time when he or she is well  Make sure their other caregivers and service providers have a copy of the list.

Helping Others to Build a Wellness Toolbox Help him or her to make a list of Wellness Tools  ASK: “What are things that make you feel good when you do them?”  REMEMBER: Wellness Tools are Simple, Safe and Free

Helping Others to Build a Wellness Toolbox  Keep a copy of the list in a place where it is easy to find  Encourage him or her to pick a Wellness Tool to do every day.  Teach them to use their Wellness Tools when they are not feeling well.

THANK YOU! This Community Wellness Program provided by Mental Health Association of South Mississippi For more info: (228) WRAP Program Manager: Melody Worsham