Mental Health America of Licking County’s Compeer has an active “wellness” component as part of our program. It is locally based, not part of the International Compeer model. Our primary focus is community integration; however an emphasis is put on “wellness” at our twice monthly socials. We serve nutritious snacks or meals and provide programming on healthy lifestyles through our partnerships with the Licking Memorial Hospital, the Licking County Health department and other not-for profits that provide speakers or support materials. Mental health education is part of our programming and we encourage Compeer members to participate in the other 8 programs and services offered by our MHA agency, including Support Groups. Several members do participate in both.
We were one of “100 Pioneers” receiving a SAMHSA grants this spring as part of a new tobacco education/session program. Our winning project is adding a screening and referral process that asks all Compeer program volunteers and consumers when joining the program about their tobacco usage. Individuals using tobacco are referred to 1-800 quit line assistance or a local hospital program. We also provide education about the high prevalence of tobacco addiction and special needs of individuals who experience mental illness.
This past year, we received a grant from Walmart Foundation to purchase cooking supplies and healthy, easy-to-use cookbooks for each member from the American Heart Association/ American Diabetes Association. A consumer volunteer was invited to teach cooking lessons using the book.
We also created our own cookbook from recipes submitted by consumers, staff and volunteers to encourage healthy eating and to empower the consumers. They liked the idea and are working on a second, better book. We were able to donate the cookbooks to our agency auction fundraiser and contribute to the efforts to support our own program.
We attended a LMHS sponsored Women’s Health Informational Fair and health screenings. We occasionally bowl for exercise.
To encourage us to walk more, we received walking maps of the downtown area near our meeting place and pedometers, as part of a Licking County Health Department Program. Those who are able will be participating in an MHA agency sponsored walk on August 22nd.
We were one of “100 Pioneers” receiving a SAMHSA grants this spring as part of a new tobacco education/session program. Our winning project is adding a screening and referral process that asks all Compeer program volunteers and consumers when joining the program about their tobacco usage. Individuals using tobacco are referred to 1-800 quit line assistance or a local hospital program. We also provide education about the high prevalence of tobacco addiction and special needs of individuals who experience mental illness.
This past year, we received a grant from Walmart Foundation to purchase cooking supplies and healthy, easy-to-use cookbooks for each member from the American Heart Association/ American Diabetes Association. A consumer volunteer was invited to teach cooking lessons using the book.
We also created our own cookbook from recipes submitted by consumers, staff and volunteers to encourage healthy eating and to empower the consumers. They liked the idea and are working on a second, better book. We were able to donate the cookbooks to our agency auction fundraiser and contribute to the efforts to support our own program.
We attended a LMHS sponsored Women’s Health Informational Fair and health screenings. We occasionally bowl for exercise.
To encourage us to walk more, we received walking maps of the downtown area near our meeting place and pedometers, as part of a Licking County Health Department Program. Those who are able will be participating in an MHA agency sponsored walk on August 22nd.
--Kristen Frame
Compeer Coordinator
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