Becoming Aware of…
Presented by the Health Ministry
Sundays, 9:40am
Commons
“Becoming Aware” is our Health Ministry theme and ardent purpose as we continue with the second half of our Christian Education series. To “become aware” means to know, to be informed of, to be alert to be on guard against. “Becoming Aware” chases ignorance and illusion, creates effort and action, and boosts hope and togetherness.
March 10 “Becoming Aware of Anxiety” with Dr. Jim Dumerauf
Dr. Jim Dumerauf is the Medical Director of the Behavioral Health Services in Holland Hospital and the Chair of the Physicians Health Committee there. Jim is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Michigan State University.
Anxiety is a universal part of the human experience, and is often a useful signal to a situation which requires our attention. Severe anxiety can be a source of significant distress and even disability. The common anxiety disorders (panic disorder, phobia, PTSD, general anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) will be briefly reviewed, along with biblical references that will reflect that those are not new or limited to modern times, and that there is hope and help for those who suffer.
March 17 “Becoming Aware of Depression” with Thomas Mullens
Thomas Mullens is a therapist at Ottagan Addiction Recovery (OAR), serving as the Outpatient Clinical Director of the Grand Haven branch. He has a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work and is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Depression is more than just ‘feeling sad’ or ‘having the blues’; but how do we distinguish actual depression from occasional sadness? Where does it come from and how do we treat it? Every year we learn a little bit more about this debilitating disease and surprisingly, anti-depressant medication may not be the best treatment option.
March 24 “Becoming Aware of Alzheimer’s” with Donita Robards
Donita Robards, Hope Church nurse, is a Psychiatric Registered Nurse, currently working as a Case Manager with Resthaven At Home, in Holland, MI. Donita has nineteen years of experience in nursing, with developed expertise in Psychiatric Medical/Surgical, in-patient residential and Home Health care.
There are over 70 types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia. It is a degenerative, progressive neuropsychiatric disorder. We will be discussing how Alzheimer’s affects cognition, behavior, emotions, physical and functional abilities. The goal is to learn the stages of Alzheimer’s as well as interventions to promote physical safety, emotional well-being, and socialization. We will also briefly discuss prevention of caregiver burnout.