Maritza: Wellness Program Director

Maritza Henry, MA, LMFT - Director, School-based Services, Wellness Program Caminar's Family & Children Services Division

“What gets me up in the morning is being able to instill hope in families that have been inflicted with this narrative that they’re not good enough, and carrying that hope when they can’t carry it for themselves.” 

Davia's Story: Caminar Rallied Behind me

Recently, Davia Ann Simpson made the challenging decision to admit herself into the hospital due to suicidal feelings and unmonitored schizophrenia. As a mother of five with a background in medicine, she knew she had to do everything possible to get the care she needed.  

Unfortunately, Davia had no secure housing conducive to her recovery to return to after her hospitalization. Thankfully, her social worker referred her to Redwood House, Caminar's crisis residential house, where she could find needed stability and support.   

Joining the Redwood House community was the first time Davia intentionally addressed her mental health and addiction.

Support with taking steps toward understanding her wellness transformed her quality of life. "I do not know where I would be without the supportive services I am accessing right now. I would be struggling. It makes a difference to have a team behind you," says Davia.  

Davia, who is passionate about scrapbooking memories of her children, says that the Expressive Arts Program has boosted her morale. She uses a composition book as an art diary, and it's helped her channel her creativity. "It makes me feel good about myself! Michael is so positive; whenever he comes, he wants to see what I have accomplished, and he talks up my artwork," says Davia about Michael Collopy, Expressive Arts teaching artist and a world-renowned photographer.   

Currently, Davia is preparing to transition into a program that will support her recovery from addiction. She shares that she was in pieces before seeking care and is now ready to continue the journey toward recovery. “Anyone can attain what I have attained. I am no more special than the next person. You have to stay positive and focused. You can only go up from certain points," a mindset that Davia says would not have been possible without the help she received from Caminar.

"I have gone through a lot in my life; there has been a lot of struggles, and so when there is something to attain, it makes me a stronger person. Being here has given me something to attain: stronger mental health." 

A Personal Story: From Struggling to Healing

We are grateful to this client from our residential program who shared their very personal reflection on coping with complex mental health conditions and finding healing and health.

I was the subject of a hopeless narrative. I struggled making decisions and maintaining them because I feared regret, and I felt more in control when I was in limbo than when I had made a decision. I lived in this state of stupor for 2.5 years. I was in my early twenties but still dependent on my parents. I went through multiple diagnoses and unsuccessful trials of medications. I had three almost back-to-back hospitalizations, finally getting diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar disorder and OCD. I still haven’t fully processed the trauma of these things. Untangling these issues and processing them has been a long journey. By the state’s standards, I’m considered homeless now, which I never thought I’d be, but I do have a place to go to - back home with my parents, even though a part of me fears it, but it is where I will heal broken relationships, including and most importantly with myself and my Higher Power.

What matters now is that I’m healing. Some good came out of the hospital visits and residential treatment programs. Everything happens for a reason. I met people and made friends that helped me uncover more of who I am – strong, artistic, resilient, multi-faceted, and faithful. I was psychologically tested and given a formal diagnosis by a psychologist at one of the hospitals. I went to Redwood House, a crisis center, and Eucalyptus House in Daly City, a social rehab facility where I’m at now. There I came into myself more and began the healing process. My roommate at Redwood House became a mentor-like figure for me. I ended an unhealthy romantic relationship that was bound to end from the beginning. I learned I have talent in painting, and I developed this as a healthy way to practice my religion. I became calmer and less manic. I underwent TMS treatments on my brain, which helped with my depression. I started seeing a therapist who helped me find and trust my own voice. I reconnected with a different priest - one at the church I grew up at - who helped me to learn to be “less religious and more faithful.” I learned many coping skills from the classes and groups at the hospitals, Redwood House and Eucalyptus House, such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, distraction, writing, and art. I developed my hobbies, which became a coping skill to me. My family, especially my parents, was a faithful support for me through the ups and downs. And we are currently doing family therapy together. I am learning to put myself first and love myself, and have gotten stronger with my mental health and coping skills through the challenges.

I’m in a healthier place now, thanks to medicine, prayer, family support, time away from triggers, constant therapy and counseling, and hard work and dedication.

Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation Supports Work on Adolescent Mental Health

Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation has generously awarded us two grants to generate awareness and provide treatment to adolescents, families, and young adults. The first grant was awarded in September 2021 for $60k. The second grant, awarded in September 2022, was for $70k. The combined $130k allowed us to begin to address the significant need for adolescent mental health in our service areas. We thank Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation for supporting our programs and the community.

A Statement from our CEO on the Club Q Murders

Dear Caminar Community, 

 We awoke Sunday morning to the news of yet another senseless act of gun violence against innocent people. While a motive hasn’t officially been stated, it appears — and feels — like a hate crime against the LGBTQIA+ community with which I proudly identify. 

 By all accounts, Club Q was a safe, supportive place for people to express and celebrate their true selves. Club Q — like so many other spaces for LGBTQIA+ folks who often don’t feel they belong elsewhere — was a safe haven. And that safe haven became a war zone. Even more sickening, the attack occurred on the eve of the Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day to honor the lives of trans people lost to anti-trans violence and hatred. 

 This devastating, disgusting attack - just like the others before it - was preventable. Or, at least reduceable. We live in a very violent country and as a nation, we must address the policies, beliefs and behaviors that allow that violence to occur. 

 Be gentle with yourselves and seek out support if you need it. Thank you for supporting your colleagues, the clients we serve, and our community in this extraordinarily difficult time.   

 With deep care and concern, 
Mark

Expressive Arts Program Yields Mental Health and Self-Care Benefits

A recent article by The Whole U from the University of Washington states, “Studies have shown that expression through art can help people with depression, anxiety, and stress.” The article discusses the mental health and self-care benefits of art, both of which clients in our Expressive Arts program experience during weekly workshops.

Generously funded by Sutter Health Mills-Peninsula Medical Center Foundation, Caminar’s Expressive Arts program is run by our teaching artists, world-renowned photographer Michael Collopy and Cuban saxophonist and composer Maikel Garcia. Art created by our clients is always beautiful and inspiring, as these recent examples clearly demonstrate. Enjoy!

Expressive Arts workshops help to lower stress

Research indicates a connection between creating art and the lowering of stress. Our Expressive Arts program embraces the therapeutic power of art and provides an opportunity for clients in our residential homes to enjoy weekly hour-long art workshops with world-renowned photographer Michael Collopy and musician Maikel Garcia.

The program is generously funded by Sutter Health Mills-Peninsula Medical Center Foundation.

Please enjoy some recent client art:

Writing poetry supports client's mental health and well-being

We are delighted to share with you poetry from one of our clients, Brenda N.

Brenda's poetry is beautiful, and writing helps her mental health and well-being. We celebrate Brenda and the therapeutic power of the arts! Enjoy.

Two souls
eyes embrace
hearts hold
 In time and space
Eternity will find the lost divine
two souls wander lost...
and paying the cost
Almost forgotten by fates alteration,
Looking for a way to escape the insane,
Two souls searching, found a way
to be free from the pain.
A moment in time, the lost
was found, together they are bound.

- Brenda N.

In the News: Cloutier: The Bay Area should be leading change for the youth mental health crisis

San Jose Spotlight recently published an Op-Ed by our CEO, Mark Cloutier: The Bay Area should be leading change for the youth mental health crisis.

Our society is experiencing an epidemic wave of behavioral health disorders that’s impacting our most vulnerable populations.

The pandemic exacerbated a pre-existing emotional environment for young people that led to increased suicide rates, severe depressive episodes and likely early drug addiction among our youth. Too many of those young people are being left out of care, get too little care or have complex issues that our current system cannot address.

We invite you to read the Op-Ed in its entirety here.

The Unacceptable Tragedy of Gun Violence in our Country

Hello Caminar Community,

Tuesday was another grim day in our nation’s history. The horrific, senseless massacre of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, is incomprehensible, wholly unacceptable, and yes, largely preventable or at least reduceable.

The mental health of our country – and our youth and adolescents in particular – has never been so fragile. Yesterday’s school shooting, plus the 26 other school shootings just this year and the countless other acts of gun violence, compound the trauma our youth are exposed to on a regular basis.  

No child should have to go to school - what is supposed to be a safe place - and fear for their life. No family member should worry about gun violence when they send their child off to school each day. No parent or guardian should have to bury their child because of senseless acts of violence against innocent children or individuals.  

And, it is not enough for public officials to bemoan the tragedy and offer prayers and support for the survivors, parents and communities. They legislate policies that make mass shootings of innocent people possible.  We live in a very violent country and as a nation, we must address the policies, beliefs and behaviors that allow that violence to occur.

As I said just last week, in the wake of the Buffalo shooting, please be gentle with yourselves and seek out support if you need it. Thank you for supporting your colleagues, the clients we serve, and our community in this extraordinarily difficult time.  

With care and concern,
Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH
CEO, Caminar

 

From Mark: The Continued Trauma of Racist Violence

Dear Caminar Community, 

Like all of you, I am deeply troubled by the horrific, racially motivated murder of 10 people and the wounding of three others in Buffalo last weekend.  Two years ago, I wrote to you about the intolerable trauma of racism and the continued acts of racism, violence, and murder of African Americans that are lethal and insidious challenges to the dignity and health of our communities.

For Black staff and clients in particular, and other BIPOC staff and clients, the menace of the ideology that the murderer adhered to raises fundamental issues of safety. While Buffalo is 2,600 miles away, to many in our community, Buffalo feels like next door.  As we process this latest tragedy, we must commit to working harder than ever to root out racism, white supremacy, and hate. I think I can speak on behalf of our community that we stand with you in solidarity, as well as the demand for justice that is not just about the perpetrator, but addressing the beliefs and systems that foster an environment that allowed this act to be committed. 

Let us recommit to action together around advancing racial equity, celebrating diversity, and removing barriers to inclusion and belonging.  Please be gentle with yourselves and seek out support if you need it. Thank you for your supporting your colleagues, the clients we serve, and our community in this difficult time. 

In support,
Mark Cloutier
Caminar CEO