CLAREMONT — West Central Behavioral is set to launch a new Medication-Assisted Treatment program for opioid addiction with client intakes beginning on Monday, according to a news release.
The new program will be located at West Central’s Substance Use Services clinic at 251 Elm St., in Claremont. It will include the use of Suboxone treatment, as well as individualized therapy and medication checks.
“Our goal is to help people break the vicious cycle of opioid addiction with a personalized program that treats clients compassionately and offers them expert care,” said Dr. Robert Morrell, director of West Central’s Substance Use Services clinic, in the release.
West Central Behavioral Health is the nonprofit community mental health center for the Upper Valley and Sullivan County regions.
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — As part of Springfield’s third annual Wellness Week, Health Care and Rehabilitation Services will host a series of free wellness events at its headquarters located at 390 River St.
Monday, March 23, 2-3 p.m.: HCRS Peer Support Manager Malaika Puffer will lead a “Harm Reduction Approach to Psych Drugs” discussion. The discussion will include how to make informed changes to start, stay on or get off psychiatric drugs using the principles of harm reduction. For more information, email mpuffer@hcrs.org.
■ Tuesday, March 24, 10–11 a.m.: Puffer will lead a “Body Acceptance” workshop that will cover topics such as sizism, its impacts, and what you can do to support yourself and others to have equality and access to health care regardless of size. For more information, email mpuffer@hcrs.org.
Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.: The agency will offer “Adult Mental Health First Aid,” a full-day course on how to assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use related crisis. The course will cover risk factors and warning signs, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Visit https://instructors.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/course-details/198718 to register as required by March 18. For more information, contact jheddon@hcrs.org.
Wednesday, March 25, 6–8 p.m.: the agency will host an alcohol-free Sip ’n Paint for Wellness class. Healthy snacks and beverages will be provided. To register as required by March 18, contact abradeen@hcrs.org.
Wednesday, March 25, 10:30 a.m.-noon: HCRS Team Leader Alina Abraham will present “Healthy Cooking on a Budget.” For more information, contact alabraha@hcrs.org.
Thursday, March 26, 10–11 a.m.: HCRS Clinical Supervisor Gary Graff will lead a one-hour class, “Mindfulness Practices for Well-Being.” The class offers an introduction to mindfulness with experiential practice, aimed at helping participants to improve their sleep, reduce stress and increase happiness. For more information, email ggraff@hcrs.org.
Friday, March 27, 3–4 p.m.: John Sullivan will lead an introduction to Qigong, Tai Chi, Pranayama breathing, stretching and relaxation concepts in a “Gentle Martial Arts & Other Forms of Relaxation” class. For more information, contact johnsullivan249@msn.com.
Elsewhere in town, HCRS also will sponsor a “Gardening for Wellness” class at Woodbury Florist on March 25, from 1-2 p.m. The class will teach how to easily grow flowers and vegetable plants in containers, and the many wellness benefits of gardening and nurturing plants. To register as required by March 18, contact abradeen@hcrs.org.
On March 27, HCRS and the Southeast Regional DUI Treatment Docket will host a “Help a Loved One Avoid a DUI” forum at the Springfield Town Library, from noon–1 p.m. The forum will discuss ways to seek support. For more information, contact myoung@hcrs.org.
— Compiled by
Nora Doyle-Burr