Deanna Eder

Polara Health has recently launched a cutting-edge community behavioral health hospital named The Healing Place, which commenced its operations on April 24. The facility, situated at 181 Whipple Street in Prescott, provides a comprehensive array of mental health services for individuals with acute and chronic psychiatric issues who require inpatient care. These services were previously offered at Polara Health’s Windhaven Psychiatric Hospital in Prescott Valley, but have now been relocated to the new location.

The facility is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a team of experienced mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurses and behavioral health providers. The Healing Place is designed to provide a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for clients, with comfortable accommodations and amenities that promote healing and recovery.

“We are excited to open our doors in our new space and serve the mental health needs of our community,” said Polara Health Chief Clinical Officer Erin Kantor.

The Healing Place provides comprehensive inpatient treatment services, including psychiatric evaluation, medication management, group psychotherapy, recreational therapy and education on coping skills and stress management. Our goal is to provide the highest quality mental health care possible, with a focus on patient-centered, whole person care.

“We believe that every patient has the potential for healing and recovery, and we are committed to helping achieve their goals. Being in an environment that supports healing and recovery is key. We are delighted that our new hospital provides such an environment,” said President and CEO Tamara Player.

With mental health, the important thing is to get the person in contact with help at the moment they make the decision to accept it. Timing and access are priorities for Polara Health and their clients.

Polara Health, with 12 locations in Yavapai County, offers programs beginning at birth through seniors, with more than 225 new clients on a monthly basis. A Center for Excellence Award was recently given to Polara Health for its Birth to Five program and Transitioned Aged Youth program through HealthChoice BCBSAZ.

“There is still a stigma attached to reaching out for help, yet there was a recent study by the World Health Organization that showed 67% of the U.S. population does not operate at optimal mental capacity and so, at some point, a large part of our community could benefit from some sort of mental health assistance,” Player added. “Polara is here to make that assistance not only accessible, but also non-judgmental. It’s as simple as calling us and we can put you in touch with someone to guide you to the right resources.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact our Crisis Stabilization Unit in Prescott Valley. The CSU is open 24/7 and you can walk through our doors at 8655 E. Eastridge Drive in Prescott Valley or call 928-445-5211. Polara Health’s Crisis Stabilization Unit is our first point of contact and the doors are open to all.

You can also call or text 988 and talk with a trained professional 24/7. QCBN

By Deanna Eder

To learn more about Polara Health, our services and how you can join our team, please visit www.polarahealth.com.

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and communications at Polara Health.

Pursuing your dreams can add a lot of value and meaning to your life. When you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and you take steps to make it a reality, you are more likely to feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This can lead to a greater sense of happiness and satisfaction in your life. Of course, the pursuit of dreams can also involve challenges and setbacks, but overcoming these obstacles can be a source of personal growth and development. The journey toward your dreams can teach you valuable lessons about resilience, determination and the importance of hard work. Following your dreams can help you create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling to you, and can contribute to a sense of overall well-being and happiness.

Going after your dreams can be a transformative experience. Here are a few examples of life-changing lessons:

• It takes courage. Pursuing your dreams often requires stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. This can be scary, but it can also be incredibly empowering as you develop the courage to face your fears and take action.
• You will never fail if you follow your heart. The road to your dreams may be bumpy and challenging, but overcoming obstacles and setbacks can build your resilience and inner strength. You will learn to bounce back from failure and keep going in the face of adversity.
• There’s only one of you. When you pursue your dreams, you may learn new things about yourself and what you are capable of. You may also discover what truly matters to you and what you value most in life.
• You won’t always feel excited. Pursuing a dream requires focus and dedication. You may need to prioritize your time and energy to stay on track and learn to say no to distractions that may derail you.
• Everyone is trying to figure it out. Achieving your dreams may take time, and progress may come slowly. This can teach you the importance of patience and perseverance, and the value of small steps toward your goals.
• Fear is not a stopping point. Be patient and kind to yourself. Your journey may not always be easy, but remember that each step you take brings you closer to your dreams and that in itself is a great accomplishment.
• Planning means nothing without action. Action and hard work will be required in different parts of your journey. Celebrate the little wins along the way.
• Live your purpose. Spend less time with distractions and more time embracing the present. Do more of what lights you up.
• Your journey will look different from others. Strategies that work for someone else may be completely different for you. Find your own path.
• Life is sweeter when you go after your dreams. Go after your dreams with all that you’ve got. Do the things that make you uniquely happy and fulfilled.

Remember that you are capable of achieving great things, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don’t be afraid to seek support and guidance from others who can help you along the way. And most importantly, be patient and kind to yourself. QCBN

By Deanna Eder

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing at Polara Health.

The holiday season offers many opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. If the family gatherings, the endless parties and the shopping get you down, you’re hardly alone. While it might take some conscious effort on your part, you can reduce your stress and find joy throughout the season.

Keep your expectations modest. Don’t get hung up on what the holidays are supposed to be and how you’re supposed to feel. Worry less about the holiday spirit and take the holidays as they come.

Do something different. This year, does the prospect of the usual routine fill you with holiday dread rather than holiday joy? If so, try something different. Eat at a restaurant, enjoy a movie at the theater on Christmas Day, take a hike, or get your family to agree to skip gifts and donate the money to a charity.

Don’t assume the worst. Don’t start the holiday season anticipating disaster. If you try to take the holidays as they come and limit your expectations – both good and bad – you may enjoy them more.

Forget the unimportant stuff. Don’t run yourself ragged just to live up to holiday tradition. So what if you don’t get the lights on the roof this year? Give yourself a break. Worrying about trivial stuff will not add to your holiday spirit.

Volunteer. Consider taking time to help people who have less than you. Try volunteering at a soup kitchen or working for a toy drive. You could really find some comfort from making a difference in the lives of people who are less fortunate.

Head off problems. Think about what people or situations trigger your holiday stress and figure out ways to avoid them. You really have more control than you think.

Ask for help. People may be more willing to help out than you expect; they just need some guidance from you on what to do.

Don’t worry about things beyond your control. Remember your limits and what you can control. Remember, you can control your reactions to a situation.

Make new family traditions. People often feel the need to keep family holiday traditions alive. Don’t keep them going for their own sake. Start a new holiday tradition instead. Create something that is more meaningful to you personally.

Find positive ways to remember loved ones. Holidays may remind you of the loved ones who aren’t around anymore. Do something active to celebrate their memory.

Don’t overbook. Pace yourself and don’t get overwhelmed. Don’t say yes to every invitation.

Forget about the perfect gift. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, now is not the time to fret about finding the absolute best gift ever. Remember, everyone likes a gift certificate.

Shop online. Save yourself the inconvenience and the crowds, by doing some of your shopping online.

Stick to a budget. The cost of holiday shopping mounts quickly and can make people feel out of control and anxious. Draw up a budget long before you actually start your shopping and stick to it.

Stay on schedule. As much as you possibly can, try to stick with your normal routine during the holidays. Disrupting your schedule and sleeping less can make your mood deteriorate.

Exercise. While you may not feel like you have the time to exercise during the holidays, the benefits are worth it. You can work physical activity into your errands. Take an extra loop around the mall!

Eat sensibly. When you’re facing holiday parties and family gatherings between now and the New Year, it’s hard to stay committed to a sensible diet. But try. Eating healthy may keep you feeling better – physically and emotionally. But don’t beat yourself up if you go overboard, just get back on track the next day.

Give yourself a break. The holidays can make some people dwell on their imperfections, their mistakes, the things they’re not proud of. Cut yourself some slack, this is not an easy time of year for a lot of people. Be gentle with yourself. It is the season of kindness and forgiveness, after all. Save some of it for yourself. QCBN

By Deanna Eder

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and communications at Polara Health.

Growing national research on the social determinants of health suggests that access to quality health care contributes only 20% to an individual’s overall health and well-being, while social risk factors, behaviors and physical environment contribute 80%.

The social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. There is a growing movement to better meet behavioral health needs and improve equity and health by addressing underlying social determinants.

How does whole-person health fit into this?

Whole-person health involves looking at the whole person – not just separate organs or body systems – and considering multiple factors that promote either health or disease. It means helping and empowering individuals, families, communities and populations to improve their health in multiple interconnected biological, behavioral, social and environmental areas. Instead of treating a specific disease, whole-person health focuses on restoring health, promoting resilience, and preventing diseases across a lifespan. Research on whole-person health includes expanding the understanding of the connections between these various aspects of health, including connections between organs and body systems.

We’ve all seen the words complementary, alternative and integrative, but what do these terms really mean when it comes to our health? These terms are continually evolving but we will give a brief description below and how it relates to whole-person health.

Integrative medicine is health care that uses all appropriate therapeutic approaches – conventional and non-conventional – within a framework that focuses on health, the therapeutic relationship and the whole person. It is a collaboration between health professionals to provide complete treatment to patients and improve overall well-being. What makes integrated health care unique is the sharing of information among team members related to patient care and the establishment of a comprehensive treatment plan to address the biological, psychological and social needs of the patient. The health care team includes a diverse group of members i.e.: physicians, nurses, psychologists and other health professionals and it also depends on the needs of the patient.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is treatment that falls outside of mainstream health care. More than 30% of adults and about 12% of children use health care approaches that are not typically part of conventional medical care or that may have origins outside of usual Western practice. When describing these approaches, people often use “alternative” and “complementary” interchangeably, but the two terms refer to different concepts:

Complementary medicine refers to non-conventional practices used together with conventional (mainstream) medicine.

Alternative medicine refers to non-conventional practices used instead of conventional medicine.

Complementary health or alternative health approaches can be classified by how the therapy is taken in or delivered. Types of complementary or alternative health include:

• Nutritional – special diets, dietary supplements, herbs and probiotics
• Psychological – mindfulness, meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis
• Physical – massage, chiropractic, yoga, tai chi
• Traditional  – acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy
• External Energy – electromagnetic therapy, Reiki, Qigong
• Senses – art, dance, music, visualization

If you are considering a complementary or alternative approach, educate yourself about its risks and benefits. Find out what conditions the therapy helps and which conditions it might worsen.

Herbs and supplements may interact with prescription medicines or other supplements.

A substance that is natural may not necessarily be safe.

Herbs and supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The preparations can differ a great deal from brand to brand.

It is important to discuss with your health care provider.

Herbs and supplements should not be thought of as a substitute for healthy eating. The benefits of the nutrients you get through foods in your diet are not necessarily reproducible in a supplement.

Proper diet, sleep and exercise are fundamental to your well-being and are necessary to get the greatest benefit from any approach. QCBN

By Deanna Eder

Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and communications at Polara Health.