Health
UKIAH, Calif. – Ukiah Valley Medical Center (UVMC) is now offering complimentary group art therapy sessions as part of the hospital’s Cancer Treatment and Infusion Center’s Focus on Healing program.
The sessions are facilitated by Sue Sweet, marriage and family therapist and registered art therapist, and made possible by a substantial grant provided by the T.R. Eriksen Foundation, a private foundation established as a charitable trust in 2000 whose primary purpose is to provide financial support to those who work in the field of human services.
In accordance with the hospital’s philosophy of patient-centered care that focuses on the whole person – mind, emotions and body, and in response to feedback from patients who requested more support after treatment, this alternative therapy continues to advance UVMC’s commitment to the Focus on Healing Program which offers art, music, movement and other healing modalities, in addition to advanced medical treatment for patients with cancer.
Sweet is a cancer survivor who continues to use art therapy as a tool in her own healing journey. She previously introduced art therapy combined with other evidence-based practices to the Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County and in 2014 she introduced it to UVMC.
Group art therapy provides an avenue to explore one’s unique but often universal experiences with coping with cancer and other serious illnesses. Art therapy is effective in reducing stress, assisting in exploration and expression of thoughts and feelings, developing creativity and strategies for increasing feelings of well-being.
“The beauty of group work is we are more alike than we are different, and when people come together and express universal truths, it heals everyone who is part of the process. Because of that it can be more profound than individual therapy,” said Sweet.
Individuals who are newly diagnosed, currently in treatment and in post treatment and those who have other serious illnesses that might benefit from this therapy are welcome to participate in classes. The maximum capacity of each class is 10 individuals per session.
Participants must be preregistered for the first session that runs from Friday, Jan. 22, through Friday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Classes will take place at the Art Therapy Institute of the Redwoods, a space provided by Linda Chapman, ATR-BC. There is a nominal $8 sliding scale fee for art materials. No artistic skill necessary.
For further information or registration contact Sue Sweet, MFT-ATR at 707-671-5122 or
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SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is reminding anyone who hasn’t yet received a flu vaccine to do so in time for the holidays.
“The holiday season is a time to enjoy getting together with friends and family,” Dr. Smith said. “Unfortunately, it’s also often when many people catch the flu. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against influenza and to protect those around you as well. Don’t let the flu ruin your holidays.”
In the United States, flu activity is usually highest between December and February and can continue into May. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
Flu vaccine is available now. Once administered, it takes the vaccine up to two weeks to fully protect you against the flu. An influenza vaccine is especially important for pregnant women and other people at higher risk for severe influenza.
Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women.
Two of this season’s vaccine components, the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains, have been updated to match the viruses Californians are facing this flu season.
Flu can cause severe disease across all ages. According to the recently published California influenza surveillance report, there were 78 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2014-15 influenza season.
Two Californians younger than 65 years of age have already lost their lives due to the flu or its complications in this current influenza season.
Common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, chills, fatigue or body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
CDPH also encourages people to protect their health by eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep and not smoking. People who feel they may have influenza should contact their physician.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:
– Stay home when you are sick.
– Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw away the used tissue.
– Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Dr. Smith encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physician’s office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine. Some local health departments may also offer low- or no-cost flu immunizations.
For more information about the flu visit the CDPH influenza Web page, http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Pages/Influenza%28Flu%29.aspx .
To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov .
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