About 3.5% of adults experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
each year in the United States. About 6 in 100 people could experience
PTSD at some point in their lives according to the National Center for
PTSD. June is national Post Traumatic Stress Disorder awareness month.
PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have seen or lived
through a shocking, scary, or dangerous event(s). Nearly everyone will
experience a range of reactions after trauma, yet most people recover from
initial symptoms naturally. Those who continue to experience problems may
be diagnosed with PTSD. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or
frightened even when they are not in danger. Not every traumatized
person develops ongoing (chronic) or even short-term (acute) PTSD.
Symptoms for PTSD include but are not limited to avoiding reminders of the
trauma, hypervigilance, anxiety or depressed mood, withdrawn behavior,
difficulty sleeping, intrusive thoughts, irritability and/or anger, etc.
Symptoms usually begin within 3 months of the traumatic incident,
however sometimes they begin years afterward. Some people recover in
less than a year, while others have symptoms that last much longer. Women
are more likely to develop PTSD than men. However, anyone can develop
PTSD at any age including war veterans, children, and people who have been
through a physical or sexual assault, abuse, accident, natural disaster, etc.
PTSD is treatable and medical professionals can help people manage over
time with treatments such as psychotherapy and certain medications.
For more information visit the Mayo Clinic website at
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-
disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967
THE PULSE
June 2024
www.rbha.org
NOT ALL WOUNDS ARE VISIBLE
EnRICHing lives and keeping a pulse on healthcare integration at RBH
Jennifer was adopted and grew up mostly in Lakeland, Florida. Her favorite quote is
“Be yourself, everybody else is taken” by Oscar Wilde. For fun she likes to draw and
sketch with charcoal. Jennifer says that her hero is her art teacher from 7th grade
because he inspires her. Using heroin and being homeless with mental health issues is
what brought Jennifer to RBHA. She receives services from OBAT, psychiatry, and case
management. When asked what her favorite program at RBHA was, Jennifer said “The
one that got me in a house. I’ve been there since January of this year and I was
homeless before then for 2 years.” When asked what motivates her on her road to
recovery, Jennifer said, “my medical team here, Angela Royal Stone (RBHA Case
Manager), and Peggy Page (RICH CPRS).” When asked about her first experience
with the RICH Recovery Clinic, Jennifer said, “it felt comfortable, like I was at
home. Nurse Practitioner Fleshman is good at going over EVERYTHING. They
helped pay for my first prescription, too.” Jennifer states that the people are the best
part of the RICH Clinic. “They help me so much. My nurse is awesome”, said Jennifer.
When asked what her biggest accomplishment is thus far, Jennifer says “being off of
heroin for 2 years. I was using for a little over two years. It’s been good since I’ve been
off of it. I’ll never forget how sick I felt when I got off of it.” When asked what she is
most proud of on her recovery journey, Jennifer said “just sticking with it. Like Angela
tells me all the time. Just show up.” Her short-term goal is to gain help with her
agoraphobia. “Hopefully with therapy I’ll be able to get over my anxiety and my mental
health issues,” said Jennifer. When asked about her long-term goals, Jennifer said “it’s
day by day right now. I try not to think about what to do tomorrow because it’s not
here yet.” When asked what she would tell others interested in coming to the RICH
Recovery Clinic or RBHA, Jennifer said “if you have any issues with substance use
or mental health, just come in and show up. If I can get help, anybody can.” When
asked what she would say to a person just starting on their recovery journey, Jennifer
said “if you’re tired of that rollercoaster and getting sick every day and if you want to
get help, just keep coming in. I remember coming in here and being high so they
couldn’t start me on the meds. I was crying and a pharmacist looked at me and said,
‘Just come back. You’ll feel so much better when you come back.’ When I see her now,
it’s like “You were right!’”
RICH Recovery Clinic Client
CLIENT CORNER
Introducing Jennifer
"Keep coming. Don’t
give up the fight."
Just a reminder that the RICH Recovery Clinic provides a wide
range of immunizations for it's clients. This includes
Pneumococcal, Tetanus, Measles, HPV, Shingles, Hepatitis A &
B, Meningococcal, Influenza/Flu, and COVID 19!
For more information have your Case Manager send an email
to [email protected] today!
Don’t forget your Flu shot!
When: Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Where: Multipurpose Room, 2nd floor, 107 S 5th St (we’ll have staff directing
people where to go!)
What: Health focused activities about healthy living, blood pressure, stress
management, harm reduction, community resources, and more. There will
be a photo booth, raffle prizes, and goodie bags with RICH Clinic Swag.
Lunch will be provided!
YOU’RE INVITED TO THE
CELEBRATION!
YOU’RE INVITED TO THE
CELEBRATION!
The RICH Recovery Clinic is inviting RBHA Consumers
to celebrate 10 years and more than 4,000 people
served with a health focused celebration!
We look forward to seeing you!
For any questions, please call 804-819-4016
Artisan Market at Bramble Park
Every Sunday from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
1708 Belleville St
Shop local artisans selling handmade home décor, art, jewelry, apparel, ceramics,
candles, woodworking, and much more!
Community Street Outreach: A ministry of First Baptist and River Road Baptist
Churches
Every Saturday morning from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Week One: Northside Library (2120 Fendall Ave.)
Week Two: Parking Lot at 17th and Ambler
Week Three: Broomefield Memorial (609 Jefferson Davis Highway)
Week Four: The Daily Planet (517 W. Grace St.)
YMCA’s Help1RVA Navigator Sessions
Every Wednesday from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Richmond Public Library - East End location (1200 N 25th St. Richmond)
Information on how to navigate Help1RVA which can provide short-term
assistance for housing, food employment, and childcare needs
Office of Community Wealth Building Info Session
Wednesday, June 5 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Richmond Public Library - East End Meeting Room (1200 N. 25th Street Richmond)
City of Richmond: Multicultural Festival
Saturday, June 8 from 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dogwood Dell Ampitheater (600 S. Authur Ashe Boulevard)
Food, music, art, vendors, dances, performances, crafts, resources, culture, family,
community and fun!
The Keys to Homeownership: Affordable Housing Workshop
Saturday, June 15
Gellman Room at the Richmond Public Library (101 E. Franklin Street Richmond)
Session 1: The Downpayment Assistance/Affordable Housing Program - 9:30 am -
10:30 am
Session 2: The Virginia Housing Homebuyer Education session - 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
988 Suicide and Crisis LIfeline
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress,
prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for
professionals in the United States.
English and Spanish available
Just dial, text or chat 988!
JUNE CLIENT RESOURCES...
This and past Pulse issues can be found online at www.rbha.org under Resources.
