From The Executive Director

By Penny Sitler, Executive Director

As we transition from summer to fall, there’s a definite change in the air. I welcome the cooler days and crisp nights and anticipate the fall harvest bounty that we’ll find at local farmer’s markets. Along with those transformations comes a new school year and holiday festivities will be upon us before we know it. Not everyone looks forward to these changes… One in four adults and one in three youth experience a mental health issue in any given year but on average it takes people ten years to seek the help they need to live their lives fully despite that challenge. MHA is encouraging everyone to act B4Stage4. We wouldn’t wait until Stage 4 to treat other medical conditions, so why do we wait when it comes to our mental health? National Depression Screening Day is October 8 – stop by our office to take a mental health screening or go to MHALC.org to do a screening online and encourage your friends and family to do the same. It’s so important for everyone to understand their mental health and to make it a priority in life. Mental Health America of Licking County is here to help find the resources you need.
 Speaking of change, MHALC’s Board of Trustees and staff have been working on a new strategic plan for the agency. With the help of a wonderful facilitator, Bobbi Noe, we have put lots of thought into the services we provide for Licking County and how they fulfill our updated mission which is to promote good mental health and wellness through education, prevention and advocacy, and to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues.
 I am so proud of all of the great work MHALC’s dedicated staff is doing to enhance the mental health of Licking County. Their jobs are not easy but they are so passionate about what they do, we routinely share laughter and tears over their successes. Here are just a few examples of recent changes they’ve been instrumental in achieving. Buses are taking Bridges Out of Poverty program graduates to jobs at the New Albany Beauty Park, thanks to coordinator Donna Gibson’s collaboration with United Way and Ohio Means Jobs. Since having Becky Lawrence, Licking Valley Middle School counselor as an extern through the Summer Teacher Externship Program at MHALC in June, the Girls In Progress program with coordinator Shari Johnston and the Suicide Prevention program with coordinator Justina Wade will have a presence at Licking Valley Middle School for the first time. YES Club has recently welcomed new director Bethanne Leffel-Ployhar, LISW and all of us at MHALC look forward to the fresh perspective and renewed energy she brings to the program. While change can sometimes be intimidating, it also signals growth. Here at MHALC, we embrace change as it means we can offer new ideas and programming to the community. We can always use your help to sustain these programs since we don’t charge anyone for the help we offer, so feel free to make a change in your giving. MHALC is a cause worthy of your time, talent and treasure!  Here’s to your good mental health!