Connecting, Supporting and Empowering Maryland Families
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Volume 15 Issue 4
November 2019
This month we share:
Self-Care: How Journaling Can Reduce Stress
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: What You Need to Know
When You Love Someone Who is Addicted, Love Yourself More
New Research Suggests Problem Gambling is Genetic
Also included: employment opportunities, and links to Support Groups around the state.
Self-Care: How Journaling Can Reduce Stress
Stress surrounds us and can be a chronic state for some. When unmanaged, long-term stress can make us susceptible to anxiety or even depression. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing stress, one tactic that has proven helpful for many people is journaling – writing about thoughts, concerns and feelings. Not only can it ease symptoms of stress, but it can help to prioritize and sort through exactly what’s bothering you.
Read More
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Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents: What You Need to Know
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem experienced by children and adolescents. More than 30% of youth will develop an anxiety disorder sometime before they turn 18. Yet only 20% of them ever receive treatment. Left untreated, these and other struggles may continue into adulthood. Anxiety disorders can easily be mistaken for the typical fears experienced by all children to a greater or lesser degree, and are often overlooked. Also, sometimes anxiety disorders are misdiagnosed as ADHD since some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders are similar to those of ADHD, including inability to concentrate and restlessness. How can you identify anxiety disorders in children and what should you do?
Read More
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When You Love Someone Who is Addicted, Love Yourself More
By Lorri Irrgang, mother of addicted son and MCF Family Peer Support Specialist
You want to share love and feel loved by the person who is struggling with addiction, but often all you feel is a broken heart. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get to a place of emotional connection or availability. It feels like every time you reach out, you end up disappointed. And if you love them too much, you risk crossing the line to enabling. If you are not careful, you can love your addict to death.
To most of us that have had this experience, the idea of detaching from this person seems heartless, cold and the ultimate betrayal, yet it just may be the most helpful step you can take. Only when you detach can you shift the focus from your addicted loved one to yourself. It is essential that you rekindle the love for yourself - and for the rest of your family who are also broken hearted and scared.
Read More
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New Research Suggests Problem Gambling is Genetic
People who are addicted to gambling may have a genetic predisposition that leads them to risk-taking behavior, the first scientific study of its kind has found. Addiction may also change people’s brains to become more sensitive to the thrill of betting, the researchers found.
For the first time, researchers took a group of people with gambling disorder, now recognized as a treatable addiction, and compared them with their siblings who were not addicted and with a control group. They discovered that the siblings were bigger risk takers and more impulsive than a control group, which is seen as evidence of a genetic predisposition to gambling.
The people who were experiencing problem gambling and their siblings were more likely to act impulsively in the face of negative emotions, and placed larger bets when they faced higher-risk odds.
Read More
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Also online:
How to Be a Strengths Based Parent for Kids with Learning Differences
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Improve Communication with Your Child Using a "Coach Approach"
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'Sesame Street' character reveals mother battling opioid addiction
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Mental Health: Debunking Myths in Black Community
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MCF Employment Opportunities
MCF is growing, and we have employment opportunities that might be perfect for you or someone you know! We currently have job openings for:
Family Peer Support Specialist
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- Positions available in Cecil County and the Lower Eastern Shore
Family Peer Support Specialist (DJS)
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- For those with personal experience with the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS); Position in Anne Arundel County
Manager of Marketing and Communications
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- Columbia, MD
Youth Engagement Specialist
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- Positions available in Columbia, MD and Eastern Shore
Family Leadership Event Assistant
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- Columbia, MD
Click here for further information on employment opportunities
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Parent & Caregiver Support Groups
Allegany County
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Baltimore County
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Baltimore County, Substance Use
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Calvert County
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Carroll County
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Cecil County
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Charles County
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Dorchester County
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Garrett County
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Harford County
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Howard County
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Lower Eastern Shore
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Mid-Shore
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Prince George's County - Bowie
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Prince George's County - Temple Hills
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Prince George's County - Upper Marlboro
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Southern Maryland
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Talbot County
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Washington County
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This smart phone app can save lives - download now!
The "There is Hope" app provides fast and easy access to crisis intervention and suicide prevention support.
This free app provides the next steps to help someone at risk of taking their life, or for those concerned about family members or friends who are having suicidal thoughts. The app also includes an immediate connection to crisis counselors who will deliver help and hope for preventing suicide.
Download the app from the Apple App Store
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or Android Google Play Store
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Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) helps families who care for someone with behavioral health needs. Using personal experience as parents, caregivers, youth and other loved ones, we connect, support and empower Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of young people with mental health issues and to any loved one who cares for someone with a substance use or gambling issue.
10632 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 234 | Columbia, MD 21044
Toll Free: (888) 607-3637 | Fax: (410) 730-8331
www.mdcoalition.org
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Copyright © 2018, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Maryland Coalition of Families
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 234
Columbia, MD 21044
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