New Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board Announces New Executive Director

Harrisonburg, December 14, 2022. The Board of Directors of Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board (HRCSB) is pleased to announce Ms. Rebekah Brubaker, LPC as the agency’s seventh Executive Director. The Board is pleased that HRCSB, local provider of mental health, substance use and developmental services, will have someone of Ms. Brubaker’s credentials and experience at the helm. Ms. Brubaker succeeds Ellen Harrison, who vacated the position in early September. The Executive Director serves as the principal liaison with City and County officials, and works closely with other community partners, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and Community Services Boards across the state.

Ms. Brubaker has been with HRCSB in various leadership roles for the past sixteen years. She served as a licensed counselor in Children’s Services, and then was supervisor in that area. She has served as a senior level Director for seven year, including most recently as the Director of Behavioral Health Services. She brings with her a wealth of organizational knowledge and expertise.

JM Monger, Chair of Harrisonburg Rockingham Community Services Board said, “The Board is pleased to have someone of Ms. Brubaker’s caliber in this role. We are fortunate to have a seasoned professional as we continue to provide valuable services across the area.”

Ms. Brubaker holds a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University 2006.  Ms. Brubaker will assume her new role on December 15, 2022.

May Mental Health Blog 2020

Every May, Mental Health America observes Mental Health Month, and encourages organizations from across the United States to join their initiative. These usually involve in-person conferences and events, though unfortunately this year we cannot engage in fellowship to bring awareness to this concern. A stay and home order also alienates many of us from our primary strategies and habits that promote wellness—both physical and emotional!

With so much change in our lives, identifying and managing mental health concerns may go unnoticed. Brandy Haden, the HRCSB’s Behavioral Health Wellness and Learning Coordinator, was a guest on WSVA’s Early Morning show to talk about the impact isolation can have on our health, offer some advice on how to manage those concerns, and additional resources.

1. What is depression?

a. Depression is a mood disorder that is characterized by feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.  As a spectrum disorder, the impact of those symptoms can range from mild to severe.

2. What are the symptoms of depression – how do I know if how I’m feeling is depression?

a. Some things that may indicate depression would be low mood, changes in appetite and sleeping, loss of energy or increased fatigue, difficulty concentrating, slow movements, and in some cases thoughts of death and suicide.

3. What is the difference between depression and just feeling blue?

a. What’s tricky about mental health concerns is that the symptoms are often emotions that we’ve all experienced at one point or another.  If those symptoms start having a negative impact on your ability to work, maintain safe satisfying relationships, and do daily activities—then what you’re experiencing could be a diagnosable concern.

4. I’ve never been depressed before.  Why am I feeling like this now?

a. There are several factors that can play a role in depression, like biochemistry, genetics, personality, as well as environmental factors.  The loneliness caused by isolation, the stress due to the nature of the pandemic, and the barriers disrupting health promoting routines can certainly contribute to the  “why now”.

5. My (mother, spouse, child, etc.) is sad and crying all the time.  How can I help?

a. People react to overwhelming emotions differently—and usually can tell you what they need.  I recommend my “three part epoxy” approach to engaging in a conversation.

i. “I’ve noticed _____, ______, and _______.”  Make a point to list specific impressions/behaviors you observed.  This sets the stage for why you’re talking about things—and gives them less opportunity to deflect.

ii. “I’m concerned”.  Expressing your concern through “I” statements will have the most impact, and is less likely to raise someone’s defenses.

iii. “Could we talk about it?”  Talking about what feels bad can be really difficult, and they may be feeling defensive or like they’re in trouble—asking for permission to speak gives some of the power back in their court.

1. If they say not right now, we should honor that.  Validate their emotions, and then ask if you can set a specific time later to talk—this will give you both an opportunity to prepare and not feel like the conversation when nowhere.
2. “I understand, this type of thing isn’t easy to talk about.  Do you think you’d be able to talk later tonight?”

iv. Once they agree, it might be hard to start into the conversation—here are some helpful guiding questions:

1. How long have you been feeling this way?
2. What happened around the time this started?
3. Have you ever felt this way before?
4. Have you ever spoken about this with anyone else?
5. How have you been coping with this?

6.  Why can’t they just pull themselves out of it and deal with this like everyone else has to?

a. Environmental factors are only a portion of the risk facts that can contribute to a mental health concern—but no matter the cause once things have moved into the diagnosable realm, it’s no longer a matter of willing yourself out of it.  There are mechanisms with in the brain that aren’t function at their best—it could take medication and specific behavioral based therapy to re-program the brain to fire in a way that promotes wellness.

7. Are they just being dramatic and over reacting?

a. What can happen is that people, when they fear they won’t be heard or taken seriously, will begin to explain their symptoms in a way that is a bit off putting.  It’s likely that no, they’re not just being dramatic for drama’s sake—they’re trying to ask for help in the only way they know how.

8. When do I know if I (or my loved one) need help?

a. First, I’d say try incorporating some new (or rediscovering old!) coping strategies into your daily routine.  If you don’t find your or their mood lightens, and the symptoms are still negatively impacting those three areas (work, relationship, & daily activities), then it may be time to contact a professional.

9. What if my loved one is threatening suicide?

a. That is such a scary place to be in—because it’s everyone’s first reaction when someone discloses their suicidal thoughts or behaviors, to feel responsible for keeping them safe.  Always take them seriously—and try to collaborate with the goal of keeping them safe.  Here’s an example that may help you come to a mutual decision:

i. “Thank you for telling me that—I know that must have been hard to say.  So, you’re having thoughts of suicide, which must be really overwhelming.  I want to keep you safe, would you like to talk to the HRCSB’s Emergency Services, go to the emergency room, or call 911?”  Again, validate the emotion and how difficult this is to talk about, use an I statement to clarify your intentions, and then give options to put power back into their court.  Here are some additional resources:

1. Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
a. Hotline: 1 (800) 273-8225
b. Text line: text HOME to 741741
c. Chat line: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
2. Sentara RMH Psychiatric Emergency Team:
a. (540) 689-1000; Ask that the PET be paged
3. Harrisonburg-Rockingham CSB 24/7 Emergency Services:
a. (540)  434-1766

ii. Please, do not leave an actively suicidal person alone.  If they do not want to utilize services, you can call on their behalf.  When calling 911, you can ask for a CIT officer to attend the scene—CIT stands for Crisis Intervention Trained.  Both Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County have officers that have attended this 40 hour training.

10. How can I feel better or help my loved one feel better?

a. One of the areas in our life hardest hit by social distancing are daily routines, and opportunities for fellowship and connection with others.  A good place to start is thinking about your morning and evening routine!  What are 4-7 things can you do every morning after waking up, and in the evening right before bed?  With so much change happening every day, knowing there are at least 20 minutes of everyday that you can predict and count on really helps our unconscious brain de-stress.  We crave routine!

b. When we are impacted by loneliness, many of our first instincts is to find distraction.  Instead, turn the TV or radio off and call a friend or family member, or journal!  If you’ve never tried a journal before, try it for a couple days—it may surprise you how helpful it is to get those sticky thoughts out of your head and down on to paper.

11. What suggestions do you have for dealing with the feelings that come with being socially isolated and unable to visit with family and friends?

a. First and for most, I’d say acknowledge them.  That is a normal human reaction, to a completely abnormal and distressing situation!  If you try to bury or distract from those emotions, that can make the situation worse.  Once you recognize that you’re not at your best, it’s easier to be patient with others too—because it’s very likely they’re not at their best either.  Try to schedule times for interaction over the phone, or at a distance in your neighborhoods.  Some other creative ways to interact safely would be leaving chalk messages outside their homes, placing (and Lysol-ing!) small gifts or notes in their mailbox, driving by with posters or messages written on your car.  We’ve also seen people write supportive messages on their fences or put posters in their yard—which always puts a smile on my face.

12. How do I avoid negative coping strategies?

a. Negative coping strategies are activities that, while they work in distracting or lessening overwhelming emotions, create the possibility of fostering other negative health risk.  Be very caution with activities that either over stimulate (like constantly reading or watching the news, over/under eating, online shopping, and binging on television shows and movies), and activities that under stimulate (using substances to numb emotions, over sleeping, and ignoring daily activities)—these can lead to the development of habits and consequences that will last long after social distancing.

13. What are positive coping strategies?

a. Positive coping strategies are habits and activities that help you stay present in your body (with all the hard emotions), in the present moment, and help turn the dial down on the intensity of those emotions. Things like a consistent routine, daily movement, time outside in nature, prayer or meditation, and hobbies like gardening are all healthful habits that contribute to overall wellness.

14. What role does technology play in helping you to stay connected?

a. What most people are missing now is face-to-face time family and friends.  Speaking over the phone or writing letters is a great way to stay in contact, but there is so much nuance lost in relationships without body language.  If possible, use programs (like FaceTime, Zoom, or House Party) that allow you to stream your face, and see others!  While phone calls are great for staying up to date, what we’re all really missing right now is the connection that comes from whole communication.

15. How do we socialize at a distance?

a. While there is a learning curve to programs that allow you to video chat, technology is really one of our greatest resources when it comes to distant socializing.  You can look up tutorials online to show you how to download and set them up for free—on your phone or computer.  It may be challenging, but the reward of seeing your friends’ and love ones’ face is truly special.

You can find the full interview here: https://wsvaonline.com/podcasts/wsva-early-mornings-4-27-20-issues-in-aging-presented-by-vpas/.

If you — or someone you know — needs help, please call 1.800.273.8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
For the HRCSB’s 24-hours Emergency Services, please call 540.434.1766.

Brandy Haden
M.Ed., Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board

Keep Calm, Cope On!

With schools closed and many parents working from home without childcare for the foreseeable future, it’s hard not to start spiraling. While health and physical safety are important, it is also important to be aware of how you and your children are feeling and thinking about the crisis.

Here are some ways that you can support your children during the Coronavirus Crisis:

  • Try to keep a daily routine. Children need routine, and making a family schedule together will help them feel included.  In the daily schedule try to include: education time, rest time, exercise, chores and family fun.
  • Choose what information you share carefully, but keep them informed—not all news is helpful or useful.
  • Limit screen time during family activities like meals, chores, and family fun. Distant socializing by using technology is a wonderful tool to maintain physical distance and stay connected, but don’t underestimate the benefit of face-to-face time that families can share.
  • Most of all, be consistent! Now more than ever responsibilities seem endless, the situation dire, and it seems like time to yourself has become a thing of the past. Incorporating these habits in your daily routine can help calm anxiety and build healthy coping skills.

When things start to feel overwhelming, and they inevitably will, incorporating mindful practices into your daily routine can help take the pressure off. Try some of these out alone, and with your family:

  • Squeeze Muscles: Starting at your toes, pick one muscle and squeeze it tight. Count to five. Release, and notice how your body changes. Repeat exercise moving up your body. Which area was most tense?
  • Belly Breathing: Put one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest. Slowly breathe in from your stomach (expand like a balloon) and slowly breathe out (deflate). Repeat 5 times
  • Mindful Meal: Pay attention to the smell, taste and look of your food during a meal or snack. No multitasking—focus on being present in the moment.
  • Meditation: Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position. Pick something to focus on, like your breath. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to your breath. Never meditated before? Try for a couple minutes at first, or listen to a guided meditation.
  • Blowing Bubbles: Notice their shapes, textures and colors. How many bubbles can you blow with one breath? Watch them float away, or pop them all!
  • Coloring: Pick your favorite colors and go to town! Focus on the way the colors blend, and the overall image. Prefer to start with an outline? Look up some free mandala designs online!

There may come a time when your family needs more support, here are some local and national resources:

  • Safe & Sound 24 Hour Parent Talk Line:
    • (415) 441-5437
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
  • Trevor Project Hotline:
    • 866-488-7386
  • Sentara RMH Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET):
    • (540) 689-1000; Ask that PET be paged
  • Police Non-Emergency Number:
    • Harrisonburg City: (540) 434-4436
    • Rockingham County Sherriff’s Department: (540) 564-3800
  • Harrisonburg-Rockingham CSB 24/7 Emergency Services:
    • (540) 434-1766

For more ideas, read: THE NATIONAL CHILD TRAUMATIC STRESS NETWORK

Northam targets overcrowding of mental health hospitals in new budget

Governor Ralph Northam is hoping to target the issue of overcrowding at mental health hospitals across the state as the General Assembly considers new legislation in its 2020 session.

https://www.whsv.com/content/news/Northam-targets-overcrowding-of-mental-health-hospitals-in-new-budget-566855871.html

Press Release for Construction Contract: HRCSB & Lantz Construction Company

The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board (HRCSB) is pleased to announce that Lantz Construction Company was awarded a contract in the amount of $11,217,400 on July 16, 2019. The contract is for 50,783 square feet of new construction at 1241 N. Main Street and a small addition and renovation of space at 463 E. Washington Street. These projects will occur simultaneously and are projected to start before Fall 2019. Additional financial support, from both the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors and the Harrisonburg City Council, has made this endeavor possible for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community. HRCSB has provided mental health, substance use and developmental disability services to the community for over 47 years. The 55% increase in demand for services over the past 10 years, from citizens of all ages, has created a significant need for work space in both the child and adult clinics. The investment in a new building will create a welcoming and safe environment for all who come seeking services.

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