Nothing can replace the feeling of safety at home, and in our communities. Donning pink in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and celebrating their survivor friends, support group participants at today’s Wellness Wednesdays met to discuss how to find and maintain that feeling of peace. The ladies took a mental inventory of their home, and explored what it safety means in each room.  The ladies brainstormed ideas about safety items they would need, from stair lights and GFCI plugs to smoke detectors.

They also discussed the need to protect themselves when out and about.  One suggestion is to wear a crossbody purse that can hide under a coat this winter. For group leader and SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic community health manager Alexis Harvey, her priority is about helping the ladies build a constant awareness — “Aware of their surroundings, aware of medications getting low, and having an emergency contact list visible.”

The open discussion provided an opportunity for participants to get really honest about their experiences when they did not feel safe and to talk through how to react in a crisis or fear.

The next Wellness Wednesdays meet up is scheduled for November 18 — call 313-758-6100 to claim your spot for an early Thanksgiving turkey luncheon and gather in friendship and community as we count, and recount, our blessings.