Brookhaven Retreat, a unique residential treatment facility exclusively for women with mental health and/or substance abuse issues, offers personal amnesty to clients on National Honesty Day.
As National Stress Awareness month comes to a close at Brookhaven Retreat, the staff will host a personal amnesty day for clients in celebration of National Honesty Day. Occurring on the last day of April, National Honesty Day counterbalances the celebration of falsehoods from April Fools’ Day. Studies attribute compulsive dishonesty to poor mental health. Stress is the leading cause of deceitfulness with people telling lies to avoid stressful situations. Providing misleading information is a coping method of both bipolar disorder and severe depression. Coincidently, propagating falsehoods has been shown to lead to feelings of depression, guilt and anxiety.
In recognition of National Honesty Day, staff members at Brookhaven Retreat will walk clients through a personal amnesty bonfire ceremony to help cleanse past personal untruths by putting them in writing before surrendering them to the flames. “Women are often the keeper of secrets and lies that the very thought of sharing almost paralyzes them with fear,” adds Jacqueline Dawes, founder of Brookhaven Retreat. “One of the truths we believe is that secrets and lies keep women sick.” Brookhaven Retreat provides many opportunities for personal amnesty in a fully integrated holistic program that removes judgment, stigma and shame while offering understanding, growth, and long term sustainability in the recovery process.
