HeartLine

Men’s Health Week is recognized annually as the week leading up to Father’s Day and is intended to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and promote early detection and treatment for both men and boys. Organizations from around the country are promoting outreach and creative awareness activities to return men to the healthcare system. For additional information on some of these activities, click here.

Annual checkups and screenings can improve health and help prevent premature death, especially for those in high risk groups and those with a family history of such disease. The following chart from Men’s Health Network ™ can help you navigate what age-appropriate screenings should be sought.

Source: www.menshealthnetwork.org.

INTEGRIS offers the Men’s Health University, held annually. The event is a fun way for men to obtain free  health screenings. The 10th Annual Men’s Health University is Saturday, Sept. 21 at Crossroads Mall in conjunction with the South OKC Chamber of Commerce Tailgate Party Trade Show. The event includes lunch, door prizes and giveaways all in a fun, tailgate atmosphere for the men of the Oklahoma City metro. For more information or to reserve your spot for the event, call the INTEGRIS HealthLine at 405-951-2277.

We are happy to welcome Bryan Lewis to our organization. Bryan started with HeartLine in May as one of two Call Center Coordinators. He brings with him an extensive background in call center supervision and management. 

Bryan Lewis, Call Center Coordinator

Bryan is a graduate of Moore High School and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he studied Computer Engineering. His first call center experience was working for Mazzio’s Corporation. He worked there as an Assistant Manager for ten years. He moved on to work at Dell Computers where he was a Technical Support Manager for two years. He then worked at AAA as an Insurance Services Supervisor for three years.

Throughout his work history, Bryan has been distinguished with awards and earned recognition including Employee of the Month, Supervisor of the Month, and Manager of the Quarter. With his wealth of knowledge and experience in call center management, Bryan is a valuable asset to our team. He has worked in pizza, computers, and insurance, but he is very excited to be a part of HeartLine so he can finally “make a difference.”

When he’s not at work, Bryan enjoys OU football, Thunder basketball, running, golfing, fishing, and watching TV.  He lives with his 8 pound “fur ball puppy,” Daisey.  

Welcome to the HeartLine family, Bryan!

As Oklahoma bands together to respond to the recent tornadoes, HeartLine 2-1-1 is doing our part to compile the most accurate and up-to-date resources for disaster response and recovery. In times of disaster 2-1-1 is a free 24-hour phone service that provides Oklahomans access to information on health or human services simply by dialing “2-1-1”.

HeartLine’s mission is to connect Oklahomans to help, hope, and information- 24 hours a day. We work toward this by answering several phone lines for health and human services. Our highly-trained call specialists are available around the clock providing callers with compassionate listening, information and referral, and crisis intervention services.  Many people who call us just need to talk. Others need information about where and how to locate services in the community. Some of our callers require emergency interventions when in crisis. HeartLine serves as a one-stop shop for those in need in our community. We are committed to our mission during difficult and trying times, such as the recent tornadoes.

HeartLine has been the premier provider of the 2-1-1 service in central Oklahoma since 2005 and covers 40 counties in central and western Oklahoma. The 2-1-1 line is available as the central hub for anyone in need of health and human services. 2-1-1 often serves as the number to call when you don’t know who to call. This short and easy to remember phone number provides individuals and families in need with a shortcut through what may be a bewildering maze of health and human service agencies’ phone numbers. “Just as 9-1-1 has become an essential part of fire, police and medical response, 2-1-1 helps meet non-emergency health and human service needs.  2-1-1 plays a vital role in connecting Oklahomans to help, hope, and information,” says Kelly Nutter, HeartLine’s Executive Director.

As emergency responders focused on saving lives and providing necessities to those in need, HeartLine worked quickly to gather valuable resources to be added to the 2-1-1 database. There is often a large amount of misinformation on where and how people can help and HeartLine is committed to providing only verified and accurate resources. We work diligently to ensure all information shared with the community is accurate and up-to-date.

HeartLine is continually updating our resources. If we are unable to answer your question when you call, please call back to see if we have updated resources.

Disasters such as the recent tornadoes can have lasting impacts on mental health. Traumatization can occur for survivors, families of victims, first responders, witnesses, and even those not directly involved in the disaster or relief efforts. We have compiled a list of resources that may be helpful. If you are in emotional distress and need someone to talk to, please call 2-1-1 for compassionate listening. We are here 24/7.

***We are currently working to verify accuracy of all information, as it changes often. Please be aware some agencies or services may no longer be available.***

UPDATE: Investigators with the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office are investigating instances of price gouging and ask that anyone who experiences price gouging to contact the AG’s Office immediately on the fraud hotline at (405) 521-2029. The practice is illegal. Also, the first scams typically seen following such tragic situations is charity fraud. Please stay alert and only donate to reputable charities.

I don’t know where to get help, who do I call?

• Call 2-1-1. We are available 24 hours a day.

Where can tornado victims receive basic necessities?

• Visit the Red Cross Disaster Online Newsroom for up-to-date information on emergency aid stations, fixed feeding sites, shelter locations, internet connection centers, and Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs). You may also contact the American Red Cross at 405-228-9500 or visit their website at www.redcross.org

Where can tornado victims receive necessities for infants and toddlers?

• Please visit the Infant Crisis Services’ disaster relief web site for a list of distribution sites for diapers, formula, food, and baby items. 

Where can I report a missing loved one?

• To make a report for missing loved one who resides in Moore, contact the Moore Police Department 405-799-4357.
• To make a report for missing loved ones who reside in Oklahoma City, contact OKCPD Missing Persons Unit at 405-297-1129.

Where can I search for a missing loved one or list myself as safe?

• Please visit www.safeandwell.org to register yourself as safe or to search for loved ones.

Where can I obtain a birth or death certificate?

• The Oklahoma State Department of Health is issuing a temporary waiver of the fees for birth and death certificates for victims of the May 19 and 20 tornadoes. The waiver will remain in effect until June 30, 2013, for those victims whose homes were located in the path of tornadoes in McClain, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties, and the cities of Carney and Shawnee. Click here to learn more.

How do I apply for FEMA  disaster aid?

• Online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or by a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

 How do I look for a displaced pet?

• All shelters with displaced pets are posting photos on OKClostpets.com

• The Moore Home Depot Triage Center is still open as of May 23rd. 650 SW 19th St., Moore, 73160. This should be the first stop for anyone who has lost or found an animal. They will add the animal to their database, giving the owner the best chance of finding it. They’ll scan for microchip, do a medical screening, assign and tag with an ID number, and refer to the proper Vet or emergency housing provider. If you’re looking for your lost pet, they’ll help you look through the database to see where it’s sheltered, then give the ID number to go pick it up. ALL lost and found animals in Moore should be reported to them, even if you wish to foster.

• Found animals are being taken to the following sites:

Oklahoma City Animal Shelter, SE 29^th and Bryant
Moore Animal Shelter, 3900 S Interstate 35 Service Road
City of Norman Animal Shelter, 615 E Robinson
Animal Resource Center, 7949 S Interstate 35 Service Road, Oklahoma City

How can I Volunteer?

• Go to www.unitedwayokc.org and www.redcross.org and register.  No phone calls please. Needs and projects will be put together over the next few days.

• Visit the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC) website at www.okmrc.org  and click on “OKMRC Inquiry” . Click on the opportunity link for more information on volunteering. Volunteers with and without medical training are needed.

• The ODMHSAS is coordinating volunteer efforts for behavioral health professionals that would like to assist with the mobile crisis response. If you are a licensed mental health professional, a certified case manager, or a certified recovery support specialist and would like to assist those affected by the tornadoes please call 405-522-3908. 

• Manual labor volunteers are needed for debris cleanup and or home salvage in Pottawatomie County. If you would like to organize a work group please contact Cindy Smith with Lakeview Church of Christ at 405-275-2922.

• The Airman & Family Readiness Center’s Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) is now set up to take calls from Tinker members who want to volunteer to help. Please call the EFAC to organize work parties targeted to meet those in need. The EFAC contact numbers are 405-739-2747, 405-736-3813, or 405-736-3847. You can find more information on the Tinker AFB Facebook page or websites.

• If you would like to make a donation or volunteer your time or services, please call: 1-866-484-3500. This is now the central site for receiving these requests. It is being operated by Journey Church at the request of the City of Moore.

Where can I donate?

The best way to donate at this time is through a financial donation or by giving blood at a local Oklahoma Blood Institute location near you.

• Salvation Army: Donate online or text STORM to 80888 to contribute $10 to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts or make a donation by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY

• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: To make a tax-deducible donation go to www.regionalfoodbank.org, call 604-7111 or text FOOD to 32333 to give $10 to relief efforts.

• Red Cross: To make a tax-deducible donation go to  www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

• Do not drop off donation items at shelter locations unless asked to do so! It will slow down their operations.

• To donate physical items for disaster relief, please view this list of official drop off locations.

The following web sites have been designated to coordinate information:

http://www.ok.gov/okstrong/

https://moore.recovers.org/

http://servemoore.com/

HeartLine’s annual Hope & Honor Invitational golf tournament will be held on Wednesday, May 15^th at Rose Creek Golf and Country Club. The golf tournament brings together two trusted community partners to raise awareness and help those in need. The event benefits HeartLine and Warriors for Freedom, a nonprofit organization that provides support to veterans. The Hope & Honor Invitational seeks to raise awareness and funding for HeartLine’s vital programs and to honor the men and women in our armed forces and their families.

All participants will receive player gift bags, continental breakfast, and BBQ lunch buffet. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. and opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. There will be a silent auction and BBQ buffet at 2:00 p.m. and awards ceremony at 3:00 p.m.

Don’t miss out on your chance to take part in this fun event!

To register an individual or sponsor team, please visit the Hope & Honor Event Page.

Call Specialist. Teacher. Coach. Marketer. Manager. Fundraiser. Community Educator. Crisis Counselor. Policy Writer. Organizer. IT Support Tech. Gardener. Plumber. Carpenter. Snow Shoveler. Louis Paugh stepped into a number of roles at HeartLine, and served in each with kindness, compassion, and a great attitude. 

He is leaving HeartLine after nearly 3 years as our Call Center Coordinator. Louis is pursuing a change in his career path and becoming a nurse, a dream he has held for a number of years. 

We will greatly miss our Louis, truly one-of-a-kind. We always looked to Louis for a poignant quote, perspective on life, musical ditty or a genuine listening ear. He has a laugh that is unforgettable, and I will miss hearing that at HeartLine. 

You may not know that working at HeartLine is more than a regular “job”, and that often we find ourselves taking on a variety of tasks. Some job descriptions refer to those activities as “other duties as assigned”. But Louis has embraced all of those duties in remarkable stride, going the extra mile and most notably, always with a smile. Those who give their lives and careers in service to others and to the greater good do not do so for money; they do it for a love of people, and Louis is representative of that.

In his own words, here is an excerpt from an essay authored by Louis entitled, “Risk”:

“A life of passion observes the risks, encounters the obstacles, and then presses forward against all odds to make what seemed impossible become reality. A few years ago I began the path toward nursing school and have faced numerous challenges in completing the prerequisites to get to the point I am at now, ready to enter a nursing program. This path has involved the risk of failure, the challenge of financial trial, the challenge of being a single father, and the risk that switching careers simply might not be obtainable. It is my passion to succeed, however, that has brought me this far and will ultimately be the driving force toward my success.” 

Yes, Louis has that passion, and I have no doubt he will be successful. As I remarked to him this morning, he is leaving HeartLine better than he found it, and that is what we should all strive to do with whatever, and whomever, we involve ourselves. If you are under Louis’s medical care one day, you will be in good hands.

This blog is brought to you by Kelly Nutter, Executive Director

In this season of new beginnings, resolutions, and goal setting, we think about our purpose and constructive, healthy next steps. Those of us who live our lives as caregivers in one form or another often struggle to find a healthy balance between caring for self and caring for others.  Certainly at HeartLine, our staff are taught how to practice self care when the real life crises and emotionally charged situations of our callers are on their minds and hearts.

Living in the middle between caring for others and caring for self is a delicate balancing act and calls for an endless stream of decisions.  The limits of our time and energy force choices on us—tough choices. Is now the time to take care of me? Or is it you? When should I say “no” to you and “yes” to me?   Even as most of us intellectually accept that self-care is important, we do not fully believe or practice it.

There are three basic areas of self-care that HeartLine training recommends for those who are in the business of caring for others: Centering Yourself, Positive Self-Talk, and Listening to Yourself.  That would apply to most of us as we are all friends, co-workers, parents, children, and otherwise in the business of being around other people. 

Centering yourself at the beginning of your day is a great way to gain focus.  Using specific imagery or symbolism will help this experience have a bigger impact.  For some people that may mean prayer and for others it may be an exercise in relaxation.  Here is an exercise you might do before starting your day: 

•  Find a standing position that feels comfortable, let your eyes close and your body relax. Let your eyes relax in your head… let your ears take over for awhile… unlock your knees and relax your legs. Relax your stomach—your chest—your shoulders. Let your body rock from side to side; shift your weight from one side to another. Keep rocking slower and slower until you find a spot where you are perfectly balanced and centered. Now rock front and back until you find the place where your weight is right over your arches—heels and toes sharing your weight equally. Now pretend you have a body inside you that no one can see. Let that inside body rock side to side until it becomes centered, too. Then rock the inside body front and back. Now, imagine letting your mind sink down to your center. Enjoy the feelings of being perfectly balanced, relaxed, and centered and realize that you can return to that feeling whenever you need to feel relaxed and at peace.

During the course of the day when you feel your body tense, you may be working too hard. Tension does not come from outside forces; it is something that you produce. So when you begin to experience tension or stress, there are some things you can do to care for yourself.

1. Become more aware of your tension—aware of the muscular tightness. “Letting go” is not done by avoiding tension but by experiencing it.
2. Realize that you are creating the tension. Though you may be doing so unconsciously, it is still your own doing.
3. Discover how you create and hold onto these tensions. Try and find out what the tension is trying to tell you.

Positive self-talk is another key element for self-care.  In reviewing your day, how do you talk to yourself about it?  Be aware of what you say to yourself as it can make a lot of difference.  Once you identify how you talk to yourself, then you can decide if you want to change your “self-talk.” If you’re feeling inadequate or dispirited about the way you’ve handled a situation—take another look at it. You can tell yourself it’s the worst thing you’ve ever done, or you can look at it as another opportunity to learn.  Most people believe the messages they have been told in their life —practice some healthy ways to evaluate a situation and allow yourself permission to be human.  To err.  To forgive yourself and those around you.  Symbolize “putting away” your day by doing something involving movement. It will have more meaning for you. For example, here’s a simple exercise you might do before leaving your job, or before going to bed:

• Find a place to stand where you can stretch out your arms without touching anything. Stand with your feet apart—find a way to stand that’s relaxed.  Now take a deep breath and raise your arms to shoulder height. Breathe deeply in and out as you stretch your arms out as far as they’ll go. Now with each in-breath raise your arms above your head and with each breath exhaled lower them to your sides. Now say “Ah…”

Listening to yourself is another key way to practice self-care. Do you know what fills you, nurtures you? Listen to your pulse, your feet, and your shoulders. Listen to your hopes and your spirit. Listen to your sadness and your joy. If you are hungry for a pizza, a glass of water will not be satisfying. If you are hungry for some love, shopping probably will not help. If your body is exhausted for lack of exercise, napping is not the treatment it needs. Listen to yourself. You may need excitement, calmness, freedom, laughter, tenderness, or serenity. You can give yourself a lecture or a pat on the back. You can pamper yourself with a gift or a massage. You can go to a movie, read a book, or take a bubble bath. However, you can’t care for yourself until you know what you need.

• Ask yourself:

Given all the circumstances in my life right now, what would it mean for me to take better care of myself?”

• Listen to your answer—pay attention. Then take action.  Don’t wait for a miracle or a “knight in shining armor.” Don’t wait for “them”—whoever they are—to notice your need.  Stoke your fires yourself, and rekindle your own spirit.

Practicing regular self-care time, even if it’s only five minutes, is important.  Setting aside time each day for yourself will keep you on your own list of “needy” people and help you focus. You have the right to take care of yourself, give yourself permission to do it!

This blog is brought to you by Kelly Nutter, Exeutive Director

It was our pleasure to visit Mustang Middle School on November 29, 2011 to present the Audrey Hatley Award.  Mustang Middle School received the award for incorporating HeartLine’s HELP initiative into its sixth, seventh, and eighth grade curriculum last school year.  The Mustang Middle School counselors were exemplary in their support of HeartLine’s youth suicide prevention initiative HELP to ensure that students had access to important suicide prevention information and access to resources or help when needed.  The dedication of the counselors, principals, teachers, and students is the reason HeartLine chose Mustang Middle School as the recipient of the Audrey Hatley Award.

(From left) Counselors Amy Hill, Angie Winborn, and Principal Linda Wilkes are presented with the Audrey Hatley Award from Audrey's mother Pandy Pinazza.

A History of the Audrey Hatley Award

Each year, HeartLine recognizes a school that has placed special emphasis on health and safety education.  Recipients incorporate any of a number of public safety initiatives, such as suicide prevention and awareness, mental health education, depression screenings, substance abuse awareness, and school violence awareness, into their overall curriculum. The award is named for Audrey Hatley, a local fourteen-year-old girl who took her own life. Audrey Hatley’s story is a reminder of the importance of understanding and taking action on the warning signs of depression and suicide.

HELP–the Healthy Education for Life Program

HELP, HeartLine’s Healthy Education for Life Program, provides free, interactive training to increase awareness and empower students to prevent bullying and suicide among peers. Since its inception in 1997, HELP has reached over 50,000 students in the Oklahoma City metro area with its in-class presentations and seminars. HELP learning opportunities focus on dispelling the negative stigma of getting help for mental illness and suicidal tendencies, understanding the warning signs of suicide in peers, and learning how to take action so that at-risk students are identified and receive the help they need. ASK-LISTEN-TELL is the cornerstone of HELP and is a simple and easily remembered model that students can employ if they suspect a peer is depressed or suicidal.

In 2008, HeartLine’s HELP initiative was recognized by the American Association of Suicidology Best Practices Registry for suicide prevention. The initiative includes a 20-minute video, group discussion, an interactive group activity, and the cornerstone of HELP: the Ask-Listen-Tell model. HELP presentations also include a brief evaluation in which students have the opportunity to self identify as being at risk for depression or suicide.

For more information about HeartLine’s HELP initiative, please contact Rachel Yates, Director of Suicide Prevention and Outreach Programs at ryates@heartlineoklahoma.org or by phone at 405.840.9396 x107.

Even over the holidays, HeartLine call specialists are here 24 hours a day offering compassionate listening, crisis intervention, and resource referrals! Here is a great example of a real story from the call center:

A distraught woman called 2-1-1 looking for some resources in her area and during the course of conversation, the call specialist recognized the caller’s thoughts of suicide, provided compassionate listening, gave appropriate referrals, and scheduled a follow-up call. During the follow-up call a few days later, the woman expressed gratitude for the compassion and encouragement she received during her initial call. She credited the call specialist with saving her life!

She reported that she is doing much better, is seeing a therapist, and has decided to make some life changes. She shared that she decided to relocate closer to her family and support system.

That woman was empowered to make some changes in her life after being connected to help and hope when she needed it most. HeartLine 2-1-1 truly is making a difference in the lives of people in our community!

Need help and don’t know who to call? Call 2-1-1 to get connected to help, hope, and information 24 hours a day!

This blog brought to you by Janice McCaslin, Office Manager