Mental Health Minute December 2007

Check out our updated website at: www.frontrangepsychology.com for information about our practice.  We can also be reached at 303-828-3080 In This Issue Food Drive Group Announcements Coping with Chronic Illness Food Drive to Benefit Erie Local Families! Front Range Psychological Associates is conducting a canned food drive through the month of December.  Please bring a non-perishable food item to share with the less fortunate on your next visit.  We will have a box in the waiting area to collect all donations! Thanks so much for your generosity! Street Closure Many of you have probably noticed that County Road 8/Leon A Wurl/Perry St has been closed just east of Old Town Erie.  The traffic has been re-routed to Leon A Wurl Pkwy heading southwest.  To get to our office, take your first RIGHT onto the new Briggs Street Extension.  There is no light or stop sign at the intersection, so it can be a bit tricky.  Just look for the new Summit Bank Building on the west side of the street, and the new Blue Mountain Montessori Building on the east side of the street.  Enjoy the new entrance to Old Town on the way to our office! Cl Spicy Meringues 2 egg whites ½ t. vanilla 1/8 t. cream of tartar 2/3 cup sugar ¼ t. ground ginger ¼ t. ground cinnamon Dash ground cloves Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl beat egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar with electric mixer until soft peaks form.  Add sugar SLOWLY while beating until stiff peaks form.  Drop mixture by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake at 300 for 20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack. Free Workshop Offered! 10 Simple Stress Management Skills Saturday January 12, 2008 10:30am - 12 noon College Hill Library Room L211 Presented by: Dr. Bridget Engel Call 303-404-5104 to register

Happy December and Happy Holidays!  The holiday season is upon us yet again!  As we all know, the holidays are a great time to get together with family and friends.   But they can also be a time for loneliness, sadness, and stress.  Please take care of yourselves this month, and keep an eye out for others who might appreciate a word of support, encouragement, or friendship. We have added some quick, easy, (sort of) healthy recipes to this month's newsletter - hope you get a chance to try them out! Enjoy and Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season! Dr. Bridget Engel & Dr. Stephanie Smith Winter 2008 Group Schedule Social Skills for Boys Beginning on Monday January 21, 2008 we will be holding a social skills group for boys ages 8-12.  The group will run for 8 weeks and will be held at the FRPA office from 4:00-5:00pm. We will be focusing on making and keeping friends, resolving conflict with peers and family, and will have lots of opportunities for learning, friendships, and fun! Anger Management for Children Does your child have difficulty managing and expressing anger appropriately?  Could he/she use some better skills for managing frustration? This group might be for them! Beginning on Tuesday January 22, 2008 we will be holding an anger management group for boys and girls ages 7-11. The group will run for 8 weeks and will be held at the FRPA office from 4:00-5:00pm.  If you would like more information about our groups, or would like to sign your child up, please call us at 303-828-3080. ____________________________________ How to Help a Friend or Loved One Suffering from a Chronic Illness If someone you love is diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening disease, you may feel desperate andcompletely helpless. But it doesn't have to be that way. Research has shown us that family and friends can play a huge role in helping patients deal with a chronic illness. When a person is suffering from a chronic illness, it's important that they feel truly cared about. What matters most is how people interact with the sick person. Here are some ways that patients and their families can get the kind of support they want from others: 1.  Put an end to family secrets. In other words, honesty is still the best policy. We often try to protect our families and loved ones from bad news, but hiding a person's serious illness from the rest of the family can backfire. Communicate directly and be open with family members. 2.  Include your children. Although their understanding of the situation may be limited, children still appreciate being told what's going on around them. Children can sometimes view themselves as the cause of problemsor major events that happen around them. They may view a parent's illness as being caused by somethingthey did. Be open, honest, let children know it's okay to ask questions. This will help relieve some of theiranxiety. Remember, a child can be a great source of laughter and warmth for a sick individual. 3.  Be selective. Everybody under the sun doesn't need to know about your illness or your loved one's illness. Choose who you care to share your news with carefully. Some relationships will prosper and some will become strained. What's important is that you feel that sharing the information with an individual will provide a stronger sense of support and strength. 4.  Be clear about how family and friends can help. People want to feel useful. Don't be ashamed to ask for help or favors, such as cooking a meal or helping with the school carpool. 5. Finally, if someone you love if suffering from a chronic illness, learn about the disease, help out with daily errands and chores, and give emotional support. Sometimes we all need a shoulder to cry on. (c) Copyright 2004 American Psychological Association Peppermint Crunch This holiday recipe is easy and tasty! ¼ pound crushed red and green peppermint 1 pound while melting chocolate 1) Slowly melt chocolate over low heat 2) Stir in crushed peppermint 3) Pour onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper 4) Chill 20 minutes 5) Break into bite sized pieces