Thinking Outside the Box

Many of us at Fellowship Health Resources Delaware have been in the behavioral health field for several years. While this length of service certainly leads itself to an extreme amount of experience and knowledge, we can become somewhat complacent in our routines. With a “tool-box” of activities and interventions that we pull from when working with our consumers, sometimes it is hard to think of new and engaging ideas or to move out of our own safety zone. Keeping our consumers in the forefront of our minds, it is imperative we seek out innovative strategies to assist them.

For the last several years the Bridgeville CCCP has held a small ceremony with the consumers on Veterans’ Day to honor those who have served our country in the military. Our consumers have also shown support for one of our nurse’s son who enlisted. The young man was active in the ROTC and would come to the CCCP to socialize with consumers. This year, the Bridgeville CCCP took its support one step further and sent letters/cards to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Hospital in Washington, DC. This activity, and others like it, helps to keep the consumers active in current events, but, just as important, provides them with a great boost in self-esteem.

Other new activities this holiday season included an entry in a local town parade and holiday gift bag-making for residents in a local nursing home. In the parade, some consumers rode on the float, while others walked with staff, helping to hand out candy to the crowd. On the day the gift bags were delivered to the nursing home, several consumers joined staff and residents in singing Christmas carols. These two activities provided a wonderful opportunity for socialization, and they led to a feeling of inclusion within the community.

In the past, consumers of our addictions transitional house made horse treats for a local rescue group. They also went to the stables to feed the horses and have some interaction with them. The horses loved the attention (and the treats!) while the consumers felt a sense of pride for providing something that the horses were missing. The interaction led to a feeling of confidence by consumers that had never been around horses and were somewhat fearful of them.

None of the mentioned activities were elaborate, or cost much money or time to arrange. They simply provided a creative way to allow the consumers to interact with others and, in the process, elevate their feelings about themselves.