Walden Reflects on a Successful Holiday Season

Posted by Walden Behavioral Health
Community Builder

Photo by Glenn Brunette

Walden has been working hard to help address the mental health and psychiatric care gaps in Southern Maryland. In December, we moved a step closer by gaining licensure from the State as a Community Mental Health Clinic! Psychiatric services are based in Charlotte Hall, with mental health therapists able to support patients in Charlotte Hall, Lexington Park and Waldorf.  We are also eagerly awaiting approval of our applications to provide tele-psychiatrity for Lexington Park/Great Mills patients to eliminate the need for patients to travel to meet with their psychiatrist.

Help Portrait Day Southern Maryland at Beacon of Hope brought laughter and joy to recovering individuals and families. On Dec. 8, Tom and Carol Davis and a handful of other volunteers spent the day at the Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center taking free photo portraits and even offering mini-makeovers. People in recovery posed together, alone and with family members for a fun day of sharing smiles and the gift of one another’s time. Even the Beacon staff got in on the action. As one participant said, “It was a day that made me happy seeing others so happy.”  To see the Help Portrait Southern Maryland’s album from Beacon, go to the web site.

Once again, the good folks at Murray, Wamsley & Schrader, LLC have played elves to families in need served by Walden’s programs. Angelyn Zephyr says the annual tradition was passed on by her mentor. Walden staff caught the gift-giving bug and joined the firm in providing gifts to a combined 60 adults and children. Wow! At  the time of this e-newsletter’s issue, we have already received nearly $5,300 in donations in response to our End-of-the-Year Gratitude Drive!  Thank you to all who have donated or plan to donate!  We were especially touched to receive this note from a donor: “…Our son received outpatient care 4 years ago.  To this day he continues to stay on the right path and has become a loving and upstanding young man. We thank you. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all in need!”

To join in the effort to assure that Walden’s core and special services in crisis, behavioral health, trauma and recovery support continue in 2013, please send your tax deductible donation to Walden at 30007 Business Center Drive, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622, Attn: Laura.