A Pioneer ...Interlude's Founder Celine Karraker

As you get to know Interlude, you need to get to know it's founder - the late Celine Karraker. It is her caring vision that lives on each and every day as Interlude serves people with severe mental illness.


The other day I came across an article written by News Times reporter and non profit advocate Nanci Hutson, in 2008, in which she explored Celine's reasons for starting Interlude. Here is an excerpt from that article:
" "She was a pioneer," said Interlude executive director Kathleen Deschenes.

In the late 1970s, when Karraker was seeking the resources to open Interlude, institutionalization was the typical treatment for people with mental illness, Deschenes said. The first Interlude clients were people age 50 and older who had spent much of their adult lives in hospitals. Karraker knew that didn't work, Deschenes said. Her daughter, Nell, diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1969, when she was just a teenager, was sent from "one terrible place to another," Karraker said in a 1998 interview. Nell died in 1995.

"Celine never followed the rules" while collecting what she needed to build the organization.

She did not want money to be what dictated how the agency operated, so she made sure it had diverse funding -- a combination of state and federal grants, private grants and donated dollars, Deschenes said.Despite such setbacks and the struggles of clients whose illnesses are so severe they do not progress as they'd like, Deschenes said the agency has never lost sight of Karraker's vision.

In everything it does, Interlude remains committed to helping people with mental illness live successfully in a community setting. Clients are encouraged to do what they are able to do, when they are able, she said."The cornerstone of Interlude's work is to instill hope in each client and to approach each individual holistically," Deschenes said. "

Interlude is proud to continue Celine's caring vision today, and proud to have supporters like you who care enough to help us change lives. Please continue her legacy and give a gift today. Thank you.

Interlude's promise of humane, compassionate care is rooted in Karraker's desire to find a better place than an institution for the mentally ill, Deschenes said.

From Homelessness to Hope - Interlude Breakfast Fundraiser features client stories

At Interlude's Community Support Awards Breakfast fundraiser on May 21st, a room full of over 200 Interlude supporters directed their attention to the video screen where they heard and saw some of the life story of Diana, Interlude Recovery Program cliet.

"My mother used to beat me until I stopped crying, I wasn't allowed to cry," said Diana in the video, struggling to hold back the emotions inside.

Diana struggles with the illness BiPolar Disorder. Trying to cope with her traumatic past and her mental illness, she turned to alcohol and became addicted.

Several years ago someone called 911 when they saw Diana staggering across a city street, looking ill and worn. At the hospital she met an Interlude staff member who recommended she come to Interlude - a safe place providing housing, support services and advocacy to people like Diana.

"At first, she was afraid and was overwhelmed by having a bed of her own," said Cynthia, Clinical Director at Interlude and formerly the Recovery Program director. The Recovery program, one of only three of its kind in the state of CT, provides case management services to people with a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder through a treatment method that addresses every dimension of a person's needs.

In short, Interlude helps treat the whole person, not just the mental illness.

"I stayed in my room a lot at first," said Diana. "But gradually I came out and got more involved. I came to trust the staff - they were great."

Diana was able to learn how to cope with her mental illness symptoms and her urge for alcohol, and recently celebrated three years of sobriety. She also recently was able to move from the main Recovery program to an apartment in the nearby Recovery 'step down' program' - a step closer to living on her own.

"I got the help I needed," said Diana in her video interview. Diana, also an artist, shows off her beautiful color paintings of flowers in the movie as well.

At the Breakfast event former Interlude client April, also at one time in the Recovery Program but now living on her own, shared some of her life story also.

"I'm here to tell the story of a woman who once felt hopeless and was at times homeless, who now is living independently, doing well, and is the proud mother of a baby girl named Indigo. That woman is me," shared April.

Interlude was grateful and humbly overwhelmed by the support at the Breakfast from our event sponsors, volunteer award recipients, live auction donors & bidders, table hosts, and all those who pledged to give a gift that morning to help people like Diana and April find hope.

For more on the Breakfast read our spring newsletter at http://www.interludeinc.org/general/news.php  and for photos from that morning, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/InterludeIncPhotos/InterludeSCommunitySupportAwardsBreakfastFundraiserMay21st2010?feat=directlink  .

Thanks from Your Friends at Interlude

You can make a difference

Here at Interlude, we are trained to work with people with severe mental illness, and we are here to provide hope for them in a very tangible way.

But where we need YOU, is in helping spread the word not only about Interlude's services in the Greater Danbury community, but to help end the stigma that so many people with mental illness face. What about starting your own Facebook movement, or blog, about your own experiences with mental illness in your own life or in the life of your family? Or speaking to the civic group you are a member of about mental illness? Or visiting a program like Interlude and meeting some of our clients? There are so many ways YOU can make a difference.

Be encouraged that YOU can make a difference, and stay tuned to this blog for information on mental health issues and also for stories about how people with mental illness have found hope.

This morning I had an interesting email in my inbox from an organization called "Artists in Transition." It's for people with physical and mental disabilities, who are also performing artists. Many people with mental illness are incredibly creative and sensitive people, who have much potential in the creative and perfoming arts. In the amazing complexity of the human brain, somehow the two are linked and although researchers don't understand why, it is a fact.

Check it out when you have a chance! - http://artistsintransitionusa.blogspot.com/.

Have a great week everyone, from your Friends at Interlude.

Mental illness impacts more people than we realize. We all have known someone with a mental illness or a related substance use disorder, in our lives. Think of how that person's illness has affected you or your family. Then, think about what a difference proper care and treatment, customized to that person, would make in his or her life - and how that would also impact all the people in his or her life in a positive way.

Interlude serves people with mental illness - each one unique and special and with different needs. Thanks to all who make our work possible!

Can mental illness be 'cured'?

Hello Friends,

Many people have a misconception that people with mental illness can be completely 'cured.' Unfortunately the brain is so complicated, doctors and scientists have not been able to pinpoint any cures for mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, or Schizophrenia, to name just a few. While there are excellent therapies and medications available, and a lot of help available to those with mental illness, chances are someone with a serious mental illness will never 'recover' fully.

However this doesn't mean we should treat people with mental illness any differently than we treat anyone else. You shouldn't treat someone with depression differently than you would treat someone with the non curable diseases asthma, allergies, or diabetes.

Help Interlude fight stigma - and treat everyone equally, no matter what their physical or mental disability.

Have you ever experienced prejudice or stigma because of an illness? Share your experiences with everyone, and help us all fight stigma.

Thanks!

Get help today if you're depressed

The Winter blues - we all get them, for those of us in the frozen tundras of New England! ( : But how long can it go on? When your 'blues' are affecting your daily life and your relationships, it's time to tell someone about it. You'll feel better just talking to someone. If it's clinical depression, medication and other therapies can help bring your smile back again. There is help and hope available - reach out and get help, today.

Want to learn more? For a start, listen to this video about depression from CVS (not a plug for CVS persay, just great informtaion!) They also have related links & info.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CVSPharmacyVideos#p/c/DB3C9392DA8AB0B1/0/Txzv7me9qOc

Myth and Fact -Schizophrenia

Hello everyone,

I hope you're having a great week.

Myth or Fact - Schizophrenia means split personalities?

Drumroll Please...this is a HUGE myth!

Schizophrenia does not cause split personalities, but rather affects a person's ability to think and reason clearly. There are varied symtoms, not always the same. But hope and help are available with medication and therapy.

Read more at this link:

Perspective

I've been thinking a lot about the truly awful disaster in Haiti. So many lives ended, or hit with loss of other kinds. So much turmoil, on top of an already volitile situation. I feel so helpless and although I too sent along a donation, it's so hard to feel like you're making a difference.

Then I thought about something else. For people with severe mental illnesses like major depression, BiPolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia, EVERY DAY can be a struggle to survive. It doesn't take a major disaster to make these individuals feel as if the world is coming to an end. Many of these men and women also struggle with substance use - attempting to numb their pain. They so desperately need caring services like Interlude, every day, to help give them hope and help.

Send your donation to help with the relief efforts in Haiti - but dont' forget to support needs here at home at the same time. Interlude's clients need you.

Thanks!

Robin R.

Great news about Mental Health Parity

Someone recently shared this great article on mental health parity with me, I'd like to share it with you. Great news...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-tian-dayton/hope-for-a-way-out-of-add_b_423069.html

Robin R.

How are you going to take care of yourself this year?

Hello everyone,

As a new year gets into gear, a lot of times people think about their health (weight, etc.). But do you also think about your mental health? What you can do to reduce stress in your life, or to talk to someone about the depression or other symptoms you may be having? Don't ignore your mental health - your brain drives the rest of your body and you need to pamper it too!

Does anyone have any new years' resolutions about your mental well being, that you would like to share? Please leave a comment to share with others to encourage them to take care of their minds, too.

Robin R.
Interlude

New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year to you! To start out very simply, I wondered if anyone has any New Year's resolutions?

If I had to express a resolution on behalf of Interlude, I would say it was "Interlude will continue to provide caring, personolized, non institutional services to men and women with mental illness and will do its best to maintain and even expand these much needed services." Actually, this is really our every DAY resolution!

This year Interlude (sadly) will have no other choice than to close its Outreach Program - one of three of our programs for people with mental illness. This is because of state and other funding cuts during this difficult economic climate. While there is no way to prevent this, there is a way for us to do the right thing and make sure all of our Outreach clients are transitioned to other providers carefully, taking each into consideration individually. I am thankful to say that although the Outreach program will close as of March 2010, Interlude will ensure each client is still taken care of by other excellent providers. Interlude also will be expanding its two remaining residential programs to help more people with mental illness who need 24 hour staff available.

Thanks to all the foundation and individual donors and funders who have helped us during this difficult year. We together look forward to continuing to provide exceptional services to people with mental illness, and even to grow and expand Interlude's critical services.

Send us your questions, comments, thoughts, or ideas. We'd love to hear from you.

Robin R.