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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2009)
' - 8 FEBRUARY 1, 2009 SmOKE SlGNALS OepGressDODD saps moDvaDOim tio be haipipy In an effort to inform and assist the community at large, Smoke Signals has kindly agreed to publish a monthly article addressing various mental health issues written by a member of the Behavioral Health Department at Health & Wellness. We welcome letters, e-mails and questions from people with mental health-related questions. f N II i " m " YJ ... By Tom Bender Tribal Mental Health Counselor Depression is this month's topic. There are different kinds of de pression, from chronic, low-level depression that can last sometimes for years to more intense depres sion that comes and goes over shorter periods of time. No matter the type, depression shares many of the same symp toms, including poor appetiteover eating, sleeping too muchtoo little, low energy, lack of motivation, poor concentration, irritability, low self worth, substance abuse, isolation and suicidal thinking. It's very important to separate depression from normal grief. Feel ing upset over the loss of a relative, relationship, pet or an illness is not only normal but important to experi ence. To be human is to feel the pain of loss. If we try to avoid our grief by pushing it down or self-medicating, we repress our feelings and that may affect us down the road. The nature of depression is that it saps our motivation to be happy. Thus, often the first activities we put down when depressed are the very things that give us pleasure exercise, spiritual pursuits, hob bies, family events and friends. In the counseling room, I have often heard people say they feel like they should be able to handle their depression on their own, that asking for help is a sign of weak ness. But if one has been feeling miserable for years, then clearly this isn't working. Sometimes feeling better means we try to listen to our "wise minds" rather then letting the depression be our guide. Exercise and continuing Photo by Michelle Alaimo Tribal Mental Health Counselor Tom Bender with pleasurable activities are both extremely important in coping with depression. If the little voice inside says, "I'd really like to go for a walk, but I have to finish watching this infomercial," this may be a sign that depression is driving the bus. If you are a Tribal member and wonder if you're living with depres sion, please contact the Behavioral Health Department at 503-879-2026. We offer free mental health assessments and counseling ser vices for members of all Tribes, as well as substance abuse counseling for qualified individuals. We also offer free psychiatric services for Grand Ronde members only. D Boas scDnedluDe ffocanses on shMs aft case mi To entice people to try the new service, the Salem Area Mass Transit District offered free rides between Jan. 26-30. Free shuttle rides to and from the Governance Center and Spirit Mountain Casino will be provided to community members and employees to access the casino bus connection. For more information on the Sa-lem-to-Grand Ronde service, check the Web site www.cherriot9.org. The new Salem-to-Grand Ronde transit connection is the second re cent major transportation develop ment in the area. In 2008, the Tribe worked with the Yamhill County Transit Area to extend its McMin nville to Willamina bus service out to Grand Ronde. That service offers area residents and employees seven round trips daily, Monday through Friday, link ing the Tribal Governance Center and Grand Ronde Station to Willam ina, Sheridan and McMinnville. For more information on that ser vice, visit www.yctransitarea.org. Weekdays (No service on Saturday, Sunday or holidays) 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 Depart Arrive Depart Arrive Depart Glen Creek Salem-Keizer Rickreall Spirit Spirit Rickreall Glen Creek Glen Creek Salern-Keizer Jransit Station Transit MaH Park & Ride Mountain Mountain Park & Ride Transit Station Transit Station Transit Mall 5:10 5:20a 5:40a 6:15a 6:30a 7i?5a 7:25a 7:35a JAQa .."n J&OaZLZ. 3:30a TT 'l"! 6;50a 777" 7i2Sa7". 7?40a , .18:1 sT'JTI3 f 8:3I3ffia 7:35a 7:48a 8:10a 8:55a 9:10a 9:45a 1 0:05a 10:05a 10:15a . UH.J;!5pIL. Jj30p 1 .71.. . f:50p ..l.l2:25pll .Il245p;Jl 3:00p 3:15p 3:35p 4:1 0p 4:25p 5:00p 5:25p J5:25p 5:40p l40pZ ..ZI?X5PZT0P .11 3fLZlZ5IZL 6:20p'70P ' ' , Z".,6:40p n..'",6l50p 7:50p 8:00p 8:20p 8:55p 9:10p j):45p 10:05f !?:05P 10:15p T777Z 8:45p " 8:55p 7 Sp" - -- P05p I Jl 0:35p rj&55p777 10:05p 10:30p 10;50p 11:35p 11:50p 12:20a 12:40a 12:40a 12:50a BUS SERVICE continued from front page percent to $37,50 after the 15th of the month. The Grand Ronde 2X Express passes also are good on all bus routes in Salem. Purchases of monthly passes must be made with check or exact change at the Governance Center. In addition, Tribal and casino employees can set up an automatic payroll deduction on a pre-tax ba sis to buy monthly passes through their respective Human Resources departments. Transit District Director of Fi nance Pat Mercier estimates that an average commuter driving 65 miles daily and averaging 20 mpg with gas at $2 per gallon will save more than $1,000 annually, plus the wear and tear on their vehicle. "The savings goes up with the cost of fuel," Mercier said. There is also the intangible benefit of having the time to read, relax, etc., while someone else does the driving. Grand Ronde-Salem bus rules Do not eat on the bus. - Drinks are allowed in a hard sided, spill-resistant covered -container. No smoking. Use cell phones quietly and only as needed. Use headphones with elec tronic devices. Have exact change if you're paying cash. Drivers do not carry change. Offer your seat to a senior citi zen or person with disabilities. "Also, from a 'green' perspective, if we meet ridership projections, by making this service possible the Tribe is helping to take hundreds of cars daily off one of the busiest highways in the state, and will be eliminating the pollution equivalent to over 3 mil lion vehicle miles per yenr." Most of the operating costs for the new transit option will be covered by federal Tribal Transit and state Special Transportation funds with fares and the state's Business En ergy Tax Credit program covering the rest of the expense. The schedule focuses on shift changes at Grand Ronde's largest employer, Spirit Mountain Casino, but anyone can ride the buses, which are equipped with wheelchair lifts to serve elderly and disabled riders. Buses leave the Salem-Keizer Transit Mall at 5:20, 6:30 and 7:48 a.m. and 1:30, 3:15, 4:15, 8, 8:55 and 10:30 p.m. Buses depart Spirit Mountain Casino at 6:30, 7:40 and 9:10 a.m. and 2:45, 4:25, 5:45, 9:10, 10:05 and 11:50 p.m. Schedules for the 2X Grand Ronde Express and other Salem routes are available at the Tribal Governance Center and at the casino's Informa tionCoat Check station located inside the main doors. The only stop between Salem and Grand Ronde is near the Rickreall Park & Ride. 4
