National Wellness Week 2011
September 19–25, 2011
As part of National Recovery Month, SAMHSA launched the first National Wellness Week from September 19–25, 2011, to inspire individuals and organizations to get involved and take one step for wellness. The theme for this week was: Living Wellness.
View the interactive map to learn about 2011 Activities in Your Area.
Nationwide Activities
Line Dance for Wellness
Hundreds of people across the country got up and started moving in a Line Dance for Wellness on Friday, September 23. Line dance spans across generations and cultures. Some organizations even hosted a Line Dance for Wellness Party!
SAMHSA’s National Recovery Month
National Wellness Week is part of SAMHSA’s National Recovery Month. Hundreds of organizations across the country host Recovery Month activities during September. Visit http://www.recoverymonth.gov to see what’s happening near you!
Wellness Works
View the pieces of original creative work—poems, visual arts, songs, digital videos—expressing what wellness means in individuals’ lives and for their communities. Learn more at http://www.power2u.org/wellnessworks.html 
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Peerlink National Technical Assistance Center Webinars
During Wellness Week, Peerlink hosted a number of related Webinars. Check their archive out at http://www.peerlinktac.org/archive-1/ to see:
- Chinese Medicine
- Conditions that May Masquerade as Depression
Learn more at http://www.peerlink.us .
Weekly Wellness Classes
Bon Securs Health System worked with Cardiopulmonary Rehab to teach weekly classes on wellness, prevention and healthy lifestyle tips.
The Ultimate Answer
Join us to celebrate wellness! The Ultimate Answer is a Web site that has a happiness formula tool, which you can use to create your own happiness formula and track its changes over time. Learn more at http://theultimateanswer.org .
National Association of Peer Specialists
The National Association of Peer Specialists featured the Eight Dimensions of Wellness during the Community Inclusion Institute in Philadelphia, September 19, 2011.
American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association promoted their materials on wellness at http://www.psych.org and their public education Web site, http://www.healthyminds.org . They posted key recovery and wellness resources on the RTP page, www.psych.org/Share/OMNA/Recovery-to-Practice_1.aspx .
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association hosted a Webinar, “An American Resurrection: A Journey of Trauma and Triumph.” They offered this Webinar to APNA members at no cost throughout September. In recognition of National Wellness Week, APNA offered the Webinar to the public for free September 19–26, 2011.
Council on Social Work Education
The Council on Social Work Education promoted Wellness in their September 2011 issue of Focus (an e-Newsletter for members). The CSWE Web site also promotes recovery sessions at the CSWE Annual Program Meeting in Atlanta and the Joint Resolution.
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Local Activities
Information is available for states shown in yellow. Click on the state abbreviation to view activities:
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Alabama
Wings Across Alabama participated in National Wellness Week activities.
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Alaska
Alaska Peer Support Consortium participated in National Wellness Week activities.
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Arizona
Arizona Division of Behavioral Health Services hosted a “Line Dance for Wellness” event that included exhibits from providers representing the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
Marc Center of Mesa celebrated National Wellness Week by holding several “Health and Wellness for Persons Served” events that taught others how they can incorporate the Eight Dimensions of Wellness in their life.
Recovery Empowerment Network participated in National Wellness Week activities.
TERROS The Meadows held an “Art of Recovery Expo.” This event featured Grammy Award Winner, Paul Williams as a keynote speaker, along with free workshops and exhibits open to the public with information on all types of recovery and mental health resources.
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California
Butte County Department of Behavioral Health Advisory Board held a “Behavioral Health Fair” that encouraged organizations to share information and resources related to behavioral health to Butte County residents.
City of Berkeley Community Services held an “Art Walk” that allowed people to view public displays of art while exercising at the same time.
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery sponsored a "Wellness Works Initiative" that invited individuals to submit pieces of original creative work that expressed what wellness means in their lives and communities.
Pacifics Clinic held a “Wellness Teachings” event that gave individuals the opportunity to learn about various health behaviors that can be incorporated into daily routines to improve the quality and longevity of life.
PEERS—Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services celebrated wellness with music and “The Electric Slide.”
Project Return Peer Support Network held a “10:10 Line Dance for Wellness,” where participants had the opportunity to pledge to get in shape and practice their line dancing.
Tulare County Health & Human Services Department of Mental Health and Sierra Hills hosted a “Wellness Week Open House” that featured dancing from The Delano Line Dancers, refreshments, and information booths.
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Connecticut
Southeastern Mental Health Authority celebrated wellness by displaying informational materials on the Dimensions of Wellness in their lobby.
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District of Columbia
Healthy Living Inc. hosted an “Everyday Vegan Cooking Class,” educating people of all backgrounds how to plan and prepare simple, delicious, and healthy meals.
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery hosted a “Rally for Wellness and Real Medicaid Reform” event where participants gathered at the steps of the Capitol.
SAMHSA?HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions held a staff relaxation response teaching session.
United Methodist Church?General Board of Church and Society held a “Recovery Month Worship Service” with a special sermon message focused on addiction prevention and recovery.
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Georgia
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network Inc. held a “Tuesday Evening Contra: Learn and Dance” event. Participants joined in on a 15-minute “flash mob contra dance” in a store parking lot and enjoyed a cookout immediately afterwards.
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Hawaii
United Self-Help held depression screenings and also gave individuals the opportunity to obtain referrals to appropriate resources.
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Illinois
Chestnut Health System hosted a “Wellness Fair” that taught attendees about exercise, nutrition, relaxation, financial wellness, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and much more.
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Kansas
Kansas Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health, Inc. celebrated National Wellness week by giving presentations on trauma care and raising trauma awareness. The organization also discussed how events that have occurred in a person’s life can and do affect an individual’s overall wellness.
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Kentucky
Mountain PAR-People Advocating Recovery held an “Our Stories Have Power: Recovery Community Messaging Training Workshop” where individuals learned about the power of their stories in recovery.
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Louisiana
Meaningful Minds of Louisiana promoted wellness with a tree planting event at a local state hospital that treats people with behavioral health challenges.
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Maryland
Carroll County Health Department-Bureau of Addictions held a “Westminster Fall Fest-Recovery Benefits Everyone” event that featured a float in the Fall Fest parade, along with a booth that distributed information to the public about mental health and substance abuse issues to help decrease the stigma attached to those illnesses.
On Our Own of Maryland participated in National Wellness Week activities.
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Massachusetts
Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
- held a “Mindful Lunch” theme meeting that allowed participants to enjoy their lunch in a relaxing atmosphere.
- conducted an “Introduction to Reiki” seminar, introducing Reiki along with holding 15-20 minute treatment sessions.
- held a lunch-time “Walk and Frisbee” event, where participants walked to a green destination and played frisbee.
- hosted an “Introduction to Acupuncture” seminar, along with holding 15-minute treatment sessions.
- held blood pressure and pulse readings so individuals could keep track of their physical fitness.
- hosted an event called “Stand Still–Keep Fit –Standing Qigong Exercises,” teaching people how to do standing qigong exercises to stay fit.
- taught breathing mediation exercises, showing how mediation can be incorporated into the Eight Dimensions.
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
- held an event called “Eight Dimensions of Wellness: National Wellness Week Kickoff.” This event featured well-known health advocates, directors, and wellness coaches speaking about the importance of each wellness dimension and how each one impacts the overall quality and longevity of life.
- held a “Trauma and Healing: The Power of Reconnecting to Self and Others” interactive workshop. This workshop gave people the opportunity to learn all about trauma—what it is, its impact, how to heal from it, and what we can do for each other to encourage the healing process.
The Transformation Center participated in National Wellness Week activities.
Western Mass Community Based Flexible Supports (CBFS) Wellness Team hosted various fitness events and gave individuals the opportunity to learn about ServiceNet’s Fit Together Wellness Center and the Fit Together Mobile program.
Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community celebrated National Wellness Week by hosting “Healing from Trauma: A Dialogue with National Peer Leaders.” This event invited providers, peer workers, and the community to join in on a dialogue focused on healing from trauma and gave participants the chance to learn about what is going on in the trauma recovery movement nationally.
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Michigan
Anishnaabek Healing Circle, Access to Recovery held “Success Stories from Indian County,” where they showed the world through digital stories that they are healing and recovering from substance abuse.
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Minnesota
Minnesota Recovery Connection held a “Walk for Recovery” and had an information table on general health and wellness.
Spectrum Community Mental Health/NW Community Support Program held a “Spectrum Wellness Challenge” that celebrated wellness by participating in various activities in each of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
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Missouri
Phoenix Programs Inc. held a “Phoenix Fringe Festival” that included trivia and off-Broadway entertainment from regionally known musicians. The night’s events included food, face painting, raffles, and door prizes. The festival also featured recognition awards for those active in the recovery and treatment communities.
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Nebraska
Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health held a “Walking Toward Wellness” event encouraging participants to be physically healthy.
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New Jersey
Bridgeway, Inc. participated in National Wellness week by hosting the “Bridgeway Wellness Fair,” which offered opportunities for people in recovery to receive health screenings for weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar and get ideas and support on how to live a healthy life in all dimensions of wellness.
Camden County Health Services held a WRAP training focused on recovery—physical, mental, and spiritual.
Collaborative Support Programs of NJ celebrated wellness with “Fall Fest 2011,” an event that featured good health information and fun with the community.
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New York
Bienestar-VIP Community Services celebrated National Wellness week by watching great movies and eating healthy snacks with friends.
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North Carolina
Community Innovations, Inc. held a “Line Dance for Wellness Party.” Self-advocates, staff, and other community members from Columbus County came together to line dance.
Durham County Criminal Justice Resource Center, First Presbyterian Church, Jersey Mike's Subs North Duke Street and the Durham Center hosted a “Recovery Poster Display and Games Challenge.” This event involved displaying art therapy projects of self-expression through poetry, art and collage posters throughout the month of September.
NAMI Western Carolina, Inc. held a WRAP Training and NAMI Connection Support Group event to celebrate National Wellness Week.
PBH Solutions and the Office of Consumer Affairs hosted a “Wellness Morning” event that featured two consumer recovery speakers and an expert panel of medical personnel discussing and answering consumer questions on the side effects of second generation anti-psychotics, lab tests for metabolic screening, healthy eating, and the purpose of exercise.
Recovery Innovations of North Carolina held “Creative Xpress!ons for Recovery,” an event that showcased a variety of creative work by people in recovery from both mental disorders and substance use disorders that expressed what wellness mean in their lives.
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North Dakota
New Freedom Center, Heartview Foundation , Teen Challenge , ND Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health , NAADAC , Cloverdale Foods, North Dakota Addiction Treatment Providers Coalition and the Prairielands Addiction Technology Transfer Center hosted “Recovery Rocks 2011.” This event featured entertainment by Teen Challenge, speakers, and a walk-in support of recovery.
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Ohio
Mental Health America of Licking County held a “Wellness Education and Candlelight Vigil.” This event featured programming on tobacco education and diabetes self-management. They also hosted a candlelight vigil recognizing survivors after suicide, shared information on suicide prevention, and honored loved ones who committed suicide.
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Oklahoma
Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
- hosted a “Wellness Fair” that brought together 35 community vendors who passed out information on healthy lifestyles and gave away freebies. The event also featured special guests, the band Terry Buffalo Ware, and Gregg Standridge.
- held a “Dance Off” which was led by surprise guests.
Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center celebrated Wellness Week with line dancing throughout the day.
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Oregon
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare held a peer wellness specialist training session that focused on health literacy, personal and shared creation of healthful lifestyles, prevention, and resilience.
Lane County Behavioral Health Services participated in National Wellness Week activities.
NAMI Lane County participated in National Wellness Week activities.
Project ABLE, Inc. participated in National Wellness Week activities.
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Pennsylvania
Beaver County Behavioral Health had presentation that highlighted how the Eight Dimensions of Wellness can be beneficial in all aspects of one’s life.
Milestone Centers Inc. hosted “Milestone Celebrates Wellness Week,” a three-day celebration of health activities, which included a mobile medical van, nutrition information, and line dancing.
PRO-ACT hosted “PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2011,” a national movement that celebrates individuals who have sustained long-term recovery and honors people and organizations who make recovery possible.
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Rhode Island
The Kent Center for Human & Organizational Development hosted a “Walk for Wellness at Rocky Point,” which included a two-hour walk around Rocky Point.
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery participated in National Wellness Week activities.
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Tennessee
Cottage Peer Support Center hosted a wellness celebration playing lawn games such as croquet and “catch a falling leaf.”
NAMI-Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health held a “Line Dance for Wellness” during their annual convention. During the line dance, a certified peer specialist led an audience of 300 members in various line dances creating solidarity through repetitive movements.
Tennessee Department of Mental Health , Amerigroup Community Care , Centerstone , NAMI-Davidson County , NAMI-Tennessee , Tennessee Mental Health Consumer’s Association , United Healthcare Community Plan and Volunteer Behavioral Health hosted a “Wellness Celebration” event that celebrated wellness with fun and physical activities, including Zumba and karaoke.
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Texas
Association of Persons Affected by Addiction (APAA) held a “Peer Power Seminar” where individuals who live with mental illness and addictions told firsthand stories and explained how others can overcome the media’s stigma and tell their life’s journey.
Center for Life Resources held a “Recovery Walk and Picnic in the Park.” Following the walk, proclamations were read and several recovery speakers shared their stories. There were also local recovery support groups and other community service providers in attendance with informational booths.
Prosumers of Texas participated in the line dance for wellness by hosting “Boot Scooting to Recovery.”
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Virginia
Highlands Community Services Center for Behavioral Health held several Wellness Week events, which included various activities, workshops, a group walk, a nutrition class, an ice cream social, and a relaxation activity.
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Washington
Lifeline Connections hosted an ice cream social to celebrate recovery.
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