Lunch and Learn on hand arthritis, Mental Health Friendly workplace: Seacoast health news

Newmarket Community Church becomes designated as a Mental Health Friendly Workplace

NEWMARKET — The Newmarket Community Church was recently designated as a safe, judgement-free House of Worship Mental Health-Friendly Work “Place” by the Dover Mental Health Alliance (DMHA).

NCC is a progressive, inclusive and affirming, multi-denominational Christian community church in the heart of Newmarket, N.H.  www.newmarketchurch.org.  The NCC is also a Recovery Friendly Workplace, making it the first dually designated House of Worship Recovery Friendly and Mental Health Friendly Workplace in New Hampshire.

Pastor Patty Marsden of the NCC was thrilled to learn that there were resources for community members to learn more about mental health challenges and become trained to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health challenge or mental health crisis.

Pastor Patty states: “As we strive to be an inclusive community resource for all people to find wholeness body, mind, and soul with the help of God; being a “Place” is an important step along this journey.”

Suzanne Weete of the DMHA states, “The Newmarket Community Church is the first House of Worship in the state of New Hampshire to have their staff and congregation members take the time to learn more about mental health challenges and how any person can help someone else who may be experiencing emotional distress. It makes perfect sense for NCC and other faith-based organizations to become a “Place” since people turn to them to find solace and solutions to the challenges of life. The trainings that the folks at NCC took increased their ability to find additional resources and be a resource for community members in need.”

The DMHA Mental Health-Friendly “Place” designation is available to any business, organization, house of worship or institution that strives to support their employees, colleagues, customers and community members’ mental health. The DMHA’s vision is to create a culture that understands, embraces and addresses the complexities of mental health. The mission is to build a resilient community that is educated, responsive and conscious of the impact of mental illness.

For more information about Dover Mental Health Alliance events and upcoming trainings, visit www.dovermentalhealthalliance.org or email Suzanne Weete at suzanneweete@communitypartnersnh.org.

Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and York Hospital to offer Lunch & Learn on Battling Hand Arthritis

YORK, Maine — More than 52 million men and women in the U.S. suffer from some form of arthritis. Contrary to what many believe, it is not limited to those over 50. To help educate the community on the causes, risk factors, and treatment strategies to manage symptoms of hand arthritis, Maximilian Meyer, MD, from Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, will present “GET A GRIP:  Battling Hand Arthritis Head-On,” Thursday, Oct. 26, from 12 to 1 p.m.  A “Q & A” session will follow the presentation.

Dr. Meyer, a fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon, understands the tremendous impact that hand and arm problems can have on patients’ lives. Attendees will learn about common joints in the hand affected by arthritis, with an emphasis on the base of the thumb and the bones at the tips of the fingers. His treatment philosophy centers on listening to and working together with patients to create individualized care plans – both surgical and non-surgical – that help them return to an active lifestyle.

All attendees will receive a complimentary boxed lunch. To reserve your spot, register at www.atlanticorthopaedics.org/LunchAndLearn.

Local Dover child with special needs receives dream trip to visit Orlando Theme Parks

Dover — Avery Hussey was recently granted a dream from the Sunshine Foundation for a family trip to Central Florida’s Theme Parks. Avery lives with severe level 3 autism.

“My family and I personally want to thank the Sunshine Foundation, sponsors and donors who helped make this dream possible for my Avery. The trip was so much fun.”

-Avery's mother, Cassandra

Sunshine Foundation answers dreams to children with life-long chronic illnesses and conditions such as: spina bifida, cerebral palsy, severe level 3 autism, Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, severe epilepsy, Sickle Cell Disease, blindness, deafness, trauma from abuse, and others.

To make these dreams a reality for children that may be turned away from other wish-granting organizations that require a life-threatening or critical diagnosis, Sunshine Foundation relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations. Avery’s “Dream Come True” was made possible through a generous donation from the Glory Days Grill’s annual golf tournament, a generous family foundation, and the Knights of Columbus. You can also make a dream come true by donating at www.sunshinefoundation.org.

The most common request is a Magical Dream to visit Disney World, Legoland, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios while choosing to stay at the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village near Disney. Sunshine Foundation also answers Special Dreams: shopping sprees, computers and iPads, outdoor playsets, above ground swimming pools, family trips, cruises, adaptive tricycles and other special needs equipment, plus many more.

Since 1976, Sunshine Foundation has spread Sunshine into the lives of more than 41,900 children throughout the United States. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.sunshinefoundation.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Lunch and Learn on hand arthritis, Mental Health Friendly workplace: Seacoast health news