Spotlight on Compeer
by Jessica Phillips
The mission of Mental Health America of Licking County
(MHALC) is to promote and continually reinforce mental health and wellness
through education, prevention and advocacy, and eliminate the stigma of mental
health issues in our community. All of
the programs at MHALC work to connect mental and physical wellness in order to
promote an overall sense of well-being because they believe that “there is no
health without mental health.”
Compeer is a program which helps to promote wellness
in those who live with mental illness. Potential
members of Compeer first need to request a referral from a healthcare provider
and then the program works with the individual to best fit their needs. According to Shari Johnston, the Program
Coordinator of Compeer, it is critical to help lower the amount of isolation
people with mental illness experience.
Shari offers a variety of scheduled activities to give Compeer participants
opportunities to socialize.
One of the popular activities that Shari facilitates
is an Art Journal group which allows people to use art as an outlet in many
forms including painting, drawing, and sculpting. Shari talks about the importance of
socializing, and this group is a great way to help break the ice and start
conversation. Pat Scanlon noted,
“Compeer has helped me by meeting new friends and getting along and having fun going
places, doing crafts, and enjoying everybody’s company.”
Each service tries to incorporate socialization along
with wellness services such as “Walk Newark” where people participating walk
together in different parts of the community.
Another service enjoyed by many members of Compeer is “Lunch and Linger”
which allows members to choose as a group where to go out and get lunch.
Whether they’re eating a meal, walking or doing a craft, Shari says everyone
looks forward to their time together.
One of the Compeer friends says, “I like seeing the same faces every
month or every few weeks. I like the
idea that there are people in the group that we can call if we want to or need
to.” It is clear that Shari is very
passionate about her job and is making an impact with the people in her group.
Many of the services Compeer provides were part of a
process of trial and error. Not every activity they’ve tried has been a success
while others are very popular. Shari is
not discouraged by this. She simply enjoys planning to make the activities as fun
and beneficial as possible.
Jessica Phillips is an intern from The Ohio State University at Newark
No comments:
Post a Comment