Wellness

The Wellness Team is a dedicated group of practitioners that specialize in providing holistic health care services in times of regional disasters.

Offering a wide variety of wellness services, the team works to support and stabilize first responders, essential workers, and community members who may be experiencing adverse effects from such events. Services range from chiropractic care and acupuncture to stress management and homeopathy, with a special focus on infants, pregnant, and breastfeeding mothers.

Person walking on trail with fallen leaves

Team Lead

Susan James profile photo

Susan James
MSSW, LICSW, BCC

(Interim)

Mission and Community Impact

The Wellness Team's mission is to support the community’s health and wellbeing during times of crises and beyond. They understand that disasters not only have physical impacts but can also take a toll on mental and emotional health. Through their range of services, they aim to address these concerns holistically, ensuring the community's resilience in the face of adversity. Their offerings are all-encompassing, catering to individuals of all ages, including providing critical support for infants and expecting mothers, which is often overlooked during emergency responses. The team also strives to educate the community through resources like "Stay Healthy" videos, emphasizing the importance of self-care during times of stress or sickness.

About the Team

The Wellness Team is a collective of experienced practitioners dedicated to offering holistic health care services to the community, particularly in times of regional disaster. Their purpose is to support and stabilize First Responders, essential workers, and community members who are experiencing the adverse effects of such situations.

Their array of services is wide, ensuring a comprehensive approach to wellness. This includes chiropractic care, acupuncture, naturopathic care, and massage. In addition, they offer stress management techniques and leverage the benefits of aromatherapy and homeopathy to foster holistic wellness.The team firmly believes in the power of education for health promotion. To this end, they provide resources like the "Stay Healthy" video series and the Bainbridge Prepares Wellness Packet, which include a variety of tools and techniques community members can apply anytime to maintain their wellness and resilience.

The Wellness Team's expertise and dedication ensure the community has access to a wide range of wellness resources, helping individuals navigate through health challenges during emergencies and disasters, and maintaining the overall health and resilience of the community.

Team Overview Video

Additional videos can be found on our channel here. Topics range from techniques to alleviate stress to methods to boost your immune system.

Resources and Questions

  • The Wellness Team prepares by ensuring they have the necessary personnel, resources, and services available to support the community. They create comprehensive wellness packets, educational videos, and documents to help individuals stay healthy and manage stress during such events.

  • During an activation, the Wellness Team provides their services to first responders, essential workers, and community members affected by the disaster. This includes services like chiropractic care, acupuncture, naturopathic care, massage, stress management, aromatherapy, and homeopathy, along with specialized support for infants and pregnant/breastfeeding mothers.

  • The Wellness Team is activated in the event of a regional disaster or any situation that causes significant stress or trauma to the community, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wellness Team provided wellness calls and a range of online resources to responders and the public.

    These include a wellness checklist and self-care plan for COVID-19, as well as resources for managing stress and staying healthy during the pandemic.

  • The Wellness Team has prepared this document about maintaining mindfulness during emergencies.

  • The Wellness Team has prepared this document about maintaining respiratory health during wildfire incidents.

  • Please download the Bainbridge Prepares Wellness Packet our team has prepared for you, which includes the following helpful documents:

    • Wellness Checklist for COVID-19 – This is a plan template you can use to stay healthy, prepared, and cared for should you or any loved ones get COVID-19.

    • Wellness Self Care Plan – A practical one page DIY plan for any age to take care of themselves better during times of stress or sickness.

    • 20 Wellness Tips for Staying Strong, Healthy, and Resilient – this is great to print out and put on the fridge!

    • Complimentary Wellness Calls – BP Wellness Volunteers are offering this during the pandemic. Names and contact information of wellness professionals listed.

    • Free Online Resources During COVID-19 (a compiled resource list with direct links)

    • Describes Benefits of Deep, Relaxed Breathing and directions for a relaxing Centering Breath Practice.

    • The Importance of Breath for immune function and nervous system; explains how Diaphragmatic Breathing works and the health benefits.

    • Square Breathing technique directions – great for staying calm and healthy.

    • Paced or Lengthened Breathing – helps enhance immune function and decrease anxiety and stress.

    • The Essential Breath – a wonderful deep breathing practice to accelerate healing.

    • Warming Socks – a DIY home Immune Support Practice.

    • Emotional Freedom Technique – Self applied acupressure tapping to relieve stress, stay healthy, and help heal.

    • The Breastfeeding Mom’s Guide for Stressful Situations – know the how to’s of this if you are a nursing mother.

    • Breastfeeding in an Emergency – it can be done and can be lifesaving!

    • Self massage reflexology directions and maps for ears, feet, and hands to help regulate immune system and relax.

    • Recommended Wellness Reading and Listening list from the Bainbridge Prepares Wellness Volunteers.

    • Tips for Healthy Computer Time (please see accompanying video below)

  • To request support from the Wellness Team, community members can reach out to the leads above.

    Specific mechanisms for request may vary depending on the situation and will likely be communicated during a crisis.

  • To sign up, you can fill out the volunteer application available in the volunteer section. To learn more about the team, please email the Team Leads listed above.

May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you be safe.
May you be peaceful and at ease.

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. ALTHOUGH SOME CONTENT MAY BE PROVIDED BY INDIVIDUALS IN THE MEDICAL & WELLNESS PROFESSIONS, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROVISION OF SUCH CONTENT DOES NOT CREATE A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL PATIENT RELATIONSHIP AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OPINION, MEDICAL ADVICE, PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSIS, SERVICE, or TREATMENT OF ANY CONDITION. Access to general information is provided for educational purposes only, through this site and links to other sites. Content is not recommended or endorsed by any medical and wellness professionals. The information and content provided are not substitutes for medical or professional care and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.