Mirror, Inc Awarded Drug & Alcohol Substance Abuse Treatment” contract with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Dewey moving on to new job in Newton.

Jason Greever, Vice President of Treatment Services, was elected to serve as Secretary on the Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals (KAAP) Executive Board of Directors.

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Many people struggle with homelessness, poverty, addiction or incarceration. A lot of the times those overlap, and that’s where Mirror Inc. comes in and provides a pathway to stability.

”Where we were wasn’t great,” said Melissa Reed. “There was a roof over our head, but it was overwhelming.”

Reed was struggling with addiction when the Topeka Rescue Mission connected her with Mirror Inc.

“We tell people, you didn’t get to where you’re at in one day or over night — so you’re not going to get out of it in one day or overnight, said Melissa Goodman. “Everyone is different so that looks different for everyone. We individualize that to really help people get to where they want to be.”

This week, Newton High School is holding a “Vape Take Back Day."

Students can drop off their vaping devices with a representative from the Harvey County Drug-Free Youth Coalition. The coalition came up with the idea and is in charge of the event.

“Vaping amongst our teens is increasing,” Melissa Schreiber, coalition coordinator, said. “Not all of them do it, but the ones that do it, we wanted to give them an out, an easy way to get rid of their device and give them resources.”

The escalating impact of illicit fentanyl is felt across Kansas and it’s a situation impacting adolescents, as well as adults. Fentanyl often is mixed into other drugs or fake prescription pills. A trace amount can be deadly.

For teens, it can also be a challenge to find addiction treatment services. This week, an adolescent treatment facility is opening to meet some of the needs associated with the fentanyl crisis. Mirror, Inc will open an adolescent residential unit, serving teen males, ages 16 and 17. The adolescent treatment center, Reflections Recovery Center, opening Thursday, Nov. 30, will be the only one in Wichita and just the second in the state with the other facility in Kansas City, Kan.

A major focus of Mirror, Inc is this upstream prevention, offering evidence-based strategies to buffer young people – future adults – from the present and future risks of substance misuse.

Recovery is for everyone. A life without the need for substance use is possible, although it does take hard work. The good news is there are people who wish to see you succeed and will show you the tools needed for the road of recovery. Trying to navigate when and where to begin can be daunting. Do not let this deter you. This article will discuss when you should seek treatment and the process you should follow to begin.

Some minorities have grown up in a culturally repressed atmosphere when it comes to addressing or openly speaking about mental health challenges. Many cultures neglect to discuss issues such as depression, anxiety, and other forms of distress. Often, if an individual brought up their mental health struggle, it appears to be often rejected or overlooked.

MARTENS NAMED INTERIM PRESIDENT/CEO

Sobriety is possible. One of Mirror, Inc’s core beliefs is people can and do change. The process of treatment is imperative to building habits which will lead to a life free of addiction. While transforming one’s life, the process of recovery also includes in-depth reflection and addressing triggers. Those who are redefining their life work on developing positive coping mechanisms and systems to make them less likely to relapse. Although relapse can be a part of recovery, it is not a failure in recovery. The journey of recovery is an ever-going process. Having a support system increases the success rate of staying substance-free.

It is never too late to begin to rebuild your life. One of core beliefs of Mirror, Inc is people can and do change. When we think about changing, it can be overwhelming due to the amount of work needed to create the life we desire. Rather than looking at the entire mountain, focus on the first step. For true change, you need to commit to yourself.

Whether it be due to a job change, family stressors, or other events, everyone has mental health struggles at some point in their life. Although it may be difficult to admit, it is important to do so. There may be fears of being stigmatized or not feeling as if your mental health is ‘bad enough’ to seek help. The intent of this article is to give you a feeling of understanding and encouragement.

Amid drastic impacts of employment rates, housing stability, substance use disorders, and mental health struggles, a group of determined individuals and organizations gather to offer resources and resolutions. Melissa Goodman, Vice President of Correctional Services, for Mirror, Inc has decided to take action by developing the Shawnee County Reentry Council.

The process of recovery is not linear; just like everything else, it takes trial and error. As research on substance use disorder (SUD) and treatment continues, professionals are gaining a better understanding of the challenges that may come up during the treatment process. Each individual seeking help for SUD is unique and will have their treatment tailored to their specific needs. What does not change is the need for continuum of care.  

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.” This medication was originally developed to treat and manage severe pain associated with cancer. Although it was created for good use, there has been a rise in drug overdose deaths linked to fentanyl.

Professionals working in the Social Work field have a major impact on the individuals and communities they serve. The National Association of Social Workers states, “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 715,000 social workers in the United States in 2020. With an expected growth in jobs of 12 percent by 2030, social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States.” To say those working in this field are essential is an understatement; arguably, social workers are the backbone of our communities.

There are two types of detox, medical detox and social detox. Depending on the extent of the addiction and the amount of tolerance someone has built up, it is important to choose the method that is most suitable. Ensuring the right environment is crucial as withdrawal symptoms may be severe.

Holidays are to be a time of cheer, joyfulness, and celebration. Not all people have the same warm, excited feelings associated with seasonal holidays, and that is okay. With more research being done in the mental health field, it is important to discuss and address seasonal affective disorders (SADs).

Mirror’s STAND youth peer leaders had the opportunity to attend CADCA’s annual Mid-Year Institute this week, virtually. Joining youth across the nation in learning about prevention work. Youth are an essential part of the coalition building process. They bring critical insight to what they are facing each day in their communities.