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An electronic circular of the Coalition's Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery
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No. 74, August 2011
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The Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery provides assistance
to the New York City mental health provider community through
expert trainings, focused technical assistance, evaluation,
information dissemination and special projects.
THE DIRECTOR’S NEW YORK MINUTE The Sock Drawer By Courtenay M. Harding, PhD In an article on professional burnout, one author (1) posed the following questions:
In addition, it is HOT! It is August. It is the time of short tempers and frustrations magnified by the weather no matter what else is going on. But this is also New York in the throes of many changes in our systems of care; many, of which, are vague but feel like the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads. Many providers, workers, and consumers are feeling a little overstressed and some even burned out. What is the difference between those two feelings? Smith et al have differentiated these two emotional states (2). They suggest that you can tell by checking on the following: “ Are you overengaged or disengaged? Do you overreact or have blunted reactions? Do you feel the loss of energy or the loss of motivation? Are you just anxious or are you detached? Is it costing you physically or emotionally or both?” Other writers suggest that there isn’t “enough time for relaxing and socializing, being expected to be too many things to too many people, taking on too many responsibilities, not getting enough sleep, or lack of close, supportive relationships.” (2) Managers are living in this environment too. Sometimes, such uncertainties bring out the best in people and sometimes the worst. Perhaps team dynamics have become not as collaborative; your suggestions have fallen upon deaf ears; and your boss seems to be so preoccupied and not providing the supports you need. You feel perhaps unappreciated, underpaid and overworked! You find yourself bored, procrastinating, forgetful, worn out, disillusioned, and feeling helpless. What is a person to do? When the world seems to be swirling around out of your control, that’s when you need a sock drawer. It is a place to put anything that someone has sent you, such a letter of recommendation or an award of some kind or a sweet note, anything that made you feel appreciated. So when the world has gone to (h)(e) double toothpicks, you can pull the drawer open and make yourself feel better again. Other suggestions include:
Managers can help by widening the channels of communications and not letting achievements go unrecognized (1-3 ). Other suggestions include providing stress-reduction classes, employee recognition and reward programs, providing a dedicated space for relaxation, support programs, training for new responsibilities, and upper-level support and encouragement (4).” And remember your sock drawer! References
Me, Me, Me: Our Age of Narcissism By Susan Blayer No one wants to be called a narcissist. Rightly, people associate the term with odious qualities such as egocentrism, arrogance, entitlement, vanity, and lack of empathy. Yet, there is also the precarious human tendency to be drawn to the flip side of narcissism: charm. An article in the June issue of Psychology Today, “How to Spot a Narcissist”, reports that a group of German researchers “deconstructed the “charismatic air” that many narcissist exude: attractiveness, competence, interpersonal warmth, and humor.” (1) (This explains, at least in part, why I was not alone in my obsession with following Charlie Sheen’s antics!) The Narcissist has more outlets than ever through which their needs for exhibitionism and attention can be met. At any given moment, the general public is invited to peer into the lives of others, offered willingly for our viewing pleasure. Over the course of a few decades, reality television shows have morphed from a minority phenomenon to the vast majority of home-entertainment options on the channel guide. Blogs and personal websites of both the famous and non-celebrities abound, just a mouse-click away. All leave us, nowadays, unable to escape narcissism or ignore its rise to the cultural norm. This notion, (that there seems to be a steadily progressing proliferation of egomania), has been substantiated by research. One recent study documents a significant increase in narcissism in American college students over the past few decades.(2) Another researcher, Dr. Nathan DeWall, a psychology professor at the University of Kentucky, was interviewed by NPR in April. He has “analyzed hit songs between 1980 and 2007 and found a correlation between egotistical song lyrics and increasing narcissism in society.”(3) Other researchers, (P. Derryberry and M. Saculla), have linked Facebook participation to a rise in narcissism with a concurrent decline in empathy in young adults. (4) Yet another team, (L.Buffardi and W.K. Campbell), examined how narcissism is manifested on Facebook with the conclusion that “narcissism predicted (a) higher levels of social activity in the online community and (b) more self-promoting content in several aspects of the social networking Web pages.” (5) These findings highlight a chicken or egg debate regarding unabashed self-promotion through technology; Did human desire or needs influence the development and popularity of social media or has social media usage influenced human desire and need, and, if so, to what extent? This is a question we may not be definitively able to answer, due to the seemingly cyclical relationship between narcissism and social networking. Very likely, it may be a combination of both. Another dispute which has emerged regarding narcissism is whether or not the potential removal of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) from the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-5, slated for release in 2013), will do harm to consumers and, subsequently, society-at-large. (6) Given that the DSM has been considered by many to be the unequivocal blueprint for diagnosing mental illness for three decades, eliminating this personality disorder threatens to dilute the potentially exploitive and interpersonally damaging aspects of narcissism at the extreme end of the spectrum. Perhaps, overtly narcissistic traits are becoming so common that individuals, who do exhibit behaviors severe and problematic enough to qualify them as having a mental illness, are found to be the exception. Yet, the distinction should be made clear. Narcissistic Personality Disorder requires that a person demonstrate a particularly grandiose self-concept, one which is virtually impenetrable against reality-testing. Persons with NPD develop defensive distortions and protective rationalizations when faced with other’s negative reactions. On the other end of the continuum, some narcissism is healthy and adaptive for human growth and survival. Watch any toddler and you will see this inner mechanism at play—narcissism in children of this age allows for testing out their newly realized autonomy (Hey, I don’t need mommy to feed me anymore!) while alleviating fears that they will be abandoned (But I can’t do everything myself, so make sure you show me that it’s still all about me!) In terms of psychological and behavioral development, this is the same basic narcissistic pattern that recurs boldly during adolescence as a way to balance ambiguous feelings in the space between childhood and adulthood. Problems may arise when these narcissistic mechanisms, which are supposed to decline with age, continue with as much gusto in subsequent life stages. As with most emotional issues, the extent to which the behavioral traits reduce appropriate functioning or grasp of reality, and are interpersonally maladaptive or hurtful to others, largely determines whether the manifested narcissism is benign or in need of intervention. Ever wonder if you or someone you can’t seem to resist (or get away from fast enough!) is a narcissist? Celebrity psychiatrist, Dr. Drew Pinsky, provides a Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) test in his book, The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America. He cautions that the NPI is not a diagnostic tool for personality disorder. Rather, it measures the level of common narcissistic traits, (such as need for authority, exhibitionism, vanity), in the NPI taker. Dr. Drew asserts that although “narcissism is the result of longstanding behavioral patterns that reflect fixed brain functioning..[which require] a lot of motivation to change,” awareness, coupled with therapy, may help people modify narcissistic behaviors. (7) Take the NPI online here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-16-pinsky-quiz_N.htm I suspect that we may continue to see an upswing in all levels of narcissism as our culture perpetuates the contemporary psycho-social trends of extending adolescence and avoiding aging in mid-life. This might not be entirely negative. Narcissism and leadership are quite often two sides of the same coin. The influence that a narcissist tends to have over others can be channeled towards serving a common good instead of being purely self-seeking. And then, of course, there is the Charlie Sheen factor—that perhaps we need, in measured doses, some good old fashioned narcissism to keep us entertained. References
(above from left to right: Coalition President, Donna Colona; Linda Gibbs, NYC Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services; Coalition CEO, Philip Saperia, and Tony Hannigan, Executive Director, Center for Urban Community Services, Inc.) The Coalition Leadership Awards As part of The Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, the Center staff joins each year in celebrating individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to improving the lives of people with behavioral health disabilities by promoting their recovery. This year, The Coalition honored Linda Gibbs, NYC Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services; Michael Hogan, Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health ( photo, left) ; and Linda Rosenberg, CEO, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare with Leadership Awards. Member Service Awards were presented to Carmen Collado, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations at Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services (photo, right); and Ed Ross, Director of Behavioral Health at International Center for the Disabled. Some of the Center staff enjoying themselves at the reception:
(Left: Center Associate Director, Aaron Vieira chats with Peter Yee and Pei-Chen Hsu, Assistant Executive Director and PROS Director at Hamilton-Madison House; Center: The Center’s Administrative Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, Deborah Short and Tim Joseph; Right, clockwise: Lesley Siegel, Venture House Advocate with Margie Staker, The Center’s Benefit Expert, and new Venture House Director, Ray Schwartz )
Center Training Schedule Available on Website To review trainings held in June and preview scheduled trainings for the Fall go to: www.coalitionny.org/the_center/training/ Note: If you are typing the URL in your browser, the space between “the” and “center” is in reality an underscore symbol “_”.
Summer Bereavement Support Services for Older Adults SPOP, Service Program for Older People, is now offering bereavement support groups, led by trained volunteers. Participants meet weekly to discuss issues pertaining to loss and provide mutual assistance. A pre-group interview is required. SPOP also provides individual support to adults who are grieving. Trained volunteers are matched with the newly bereaved to provide one-on-one personal support, either by telephone or in person. Services are free and require advanced registration. Date/Time: Mondays, 2:00-3:30—Loss of a Spouse/Partner
SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center) is offering a free webinar, “Peer Respite Services: Transforming Crisis to Wellness.” During this teleconference, Peggy Swarbrick, Ph.D, Director, Institute for Wellness and Recovery Initiatives at Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey and other facilitators will discuss the research that shows that peer respite services can have positive impacts for people in recovery during times of emotional crisis. Date: August 4
Due to the high volume of interest in scholarships, to their 29th Annual Conference, the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) is extending the deadline for receipt of scholarship applications to August 5. Please be aware that scholarship applications are only available for New York State peers. Dates: September 14 – 16
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, sponsored by SAMHSA, is participating in a research project which will examine the decision-making factors influencing community behavioral health organizations with the intent to implement the evidence-based practice of Motivational Interviewing. If your organization chooses to participate, agency leaders will be asked to take part in up to three 1-2 hour activities, including reviewing packets of information, reading journal articles, looking at different Web sites, participating in Webinars and completing surveys. These tasks are designed to assist organizations in making decisions about whether or not to implement Motivational Interviewing and will take place over a ten month period. Participation is completely voluntary. Questions and for more information about benefits to your organization: Mohini Venkatesh, Senior Director, Public Policy, at the National Council [email protected] Deadline and Application: complete the brief online CER Project Interest Form by August 3.
The NYAPRS Training Collective is offering a two-day training on recovery-based supervision for PROS programs and those converting to PROS. PROS supervisors will have an opportunity to think about their current work, learn from other supervisors, build on the strengths of your programs and consider changes that might need to be implemented. You must attend both days of the training. Registration for the two-day program is $25 and includes lunch/refreshments. Dates: Day One: August 15, Room 20-38 (20th Fl)
The Rainbow Heights Club will be sponsoring the E/Quality Cares one day conference, focused on enhancing the provision of affirming and culturally competent services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people living with mental illness, substance abuse, alcoholism, and developmental disability. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be served. Registration is free and required. Date: September 14, 2011 New Report Highlights Tobacco Use and Mental Illness Legacy, a national non-profit organization committed to helping Americans live longer, healthier lives, has published, “A Hidden Epidemic: Tobacco Use and Mental Illness,” to call attention to the issue of the high nicotine dependence among people with mental illnesses. This publication also highlights five projects that demonstrate how organizations across America are addressing tobacco-related disparities faced by people with mental illnesses. To download the PDF, go to : http://www.legacyforhealth.org/PDF/A_Hidden_Epidemic.pdf Dr. Sederer on Suicide Prevention and Health Care In his July Huffington Post column, Lloyd Sederer, Medical director, New York State Office of Mental Health, shares important information from a recent suicide prevention symposium and explores strategies for improving outcomes of suicide prevention efforts. He writes, “Deadly consequences happen, in effect, from suicide just like from heart disease, when we do not do the right thing as unfailingly as we can. Good medical care does not know the difference between illnesses. “ To read the entire article, go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lloyd-i-sederer-md/eradicate-suicide_b_901219.html New Boston University Center for Rehabilitation Publication Available
For more information, visit: http://www.bu.edu/cpr/products/books/titles/readingspr-rec.html
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