Thriving Together: Survivors' Mental Health Awareness & Well-Being Group

Trauma, whether physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual, can have long-term effects on mental health. People who have experienced abuse or other trauma have a higher risk of developing a mental health condition, including depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During Thriving Together, survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence explore ways to live well, be informed self-advocates, address stigma, and the health disparities that can challenge our well-being.

About HopeWorks’ Survivors Health Project

Research confirms that physical, sexual, and psychological violence is linked to many long-term health problems, including arthritis, anxiety, chronic pain, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, frequent headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, problems with the immune system, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

HopeWorks addresses the long-term effects of sexual and intimate partner violence through The Survivors’ Health Project. Thriving Together is one of seven programs in The Survivors Health Project. The Project provides opportunities for survivors to attend to and advocate for their health, learn and practice wellness skills and create a network of supportive care. The programs are:

1. ARTiculation: an expressive-arts peer support & education group for survivors living with chronic health conditions

2. Trauma-Informed Yoga Class for Survivors

3. Thriving Together: a survivors' mental health awareness & wellbeing group

4. The Wellness Locker (dispensing free health and wellness products)

5. Wellness Grants (for Holistic Health & Wellbeing Treatments)

6. The Health Advisory Board

7. The Articulating Health Newsletter

To learn more about The Survivors Health Project contact Vanita Leatherwood, Director of Community Engagement at vleatherwood@hopeworksofhc.org. Visit the HopeWorks website at HopeWorksOfHC.org for more information about the agency.

About HopeWorks

Incorporated in 1978, HopeWorks of Howard County is a private nonprofit agency. HopeWorks’ mission is to support and advocate for people in Howard County affected by sexual and intimate partner violence and to engage the community in creating the change required for violence prevention. Services include crisis shelter, clinical counseling, advocacy, legal resources, survivor leadership & wellness programs, prevention education, trainings for professionals, community self-care & social justice programs and volunteer opportunities.