How MHA Delivers Their Programs

by Emily Jesenko
The Ohio State University at Newark Intern

One of my favorite things about being an intern at Mental Health America of Licking County (MHALC) is that I get to visit all of their programs and see their powerful mission in action. Other mental health services and programs may seem unreachable or hard to get to. MHALC is different in that aspect. Not only do they administer informational mental health materials, but they physically go out into the Licking County community to spread their mission of promoting and continuing to reinforce mental health and wellness and eliminating the stigma of mental health issues.

Statistics show that one in five people will have a mental health issue within the year; that is 20%, over 40 million Americans. It is crucial that these programs are available to help break down barriers that may keep them from living their lives well. The United States Census Bureau indicates that 11.7% of Licking County residents are living at or below the poverty level (United States Census Bureau, 2016). Mental Health America’s programs and support groups are free to all Licking County residents.

During the third week of January, Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator Justina Wade, and Development/Program manager Jill Goddard, administered depression screenings to the freshman class at a local high school. Before handing out the test questions, they discussed with each class the seriousness of mental health issues and how left untreated they can lead to depression, stress, anxiety and suicide. After administering the tests, they played the short film called “SAD” which is about different teens struggling with different mental health issues. They asked questions to the students and discussed with them the importance of mental health and how it is just as important as physical health. It was fascinating hearing the responses from the students and knowing that they are getting something important out of this. The depression screenings showed that several students were struggling with depression and/or suicide. Perhaps, some of these students would not have reached out if it weren’t for MHALC delivering these depression screenings.

Recently, Newark City Schools held a Social Emotional Academic Success (SEAS) day throughout the district. MHALC’s Executive Director Penny Sitler, and Jill Goddard, gave presentations all day to high school students about the importance of making good decisions. This was a great topic to present to this age group because teenagers, in particular, tend to turn to alcohol and substances especially when under stress from school and preparation for college.

Another beneficial and very influential program is Girls in Progress (GIP). The GIP program coordinator, Shari Johnston, delivers this program in area middle schools every week. This program focuses on mentoring middle school girls who struggle with a variety of issues. Many of these girls live in poverty and lack supportive home environments. The goal is to inspire and motivate them to make healthy decisions. The girls will express themselves through art as Shari gets to know them and discuss any issues they are having. This is so beneficial for these girls because their young minds are still being molded and GIP can help instill in them better self-esteem, positive future plans, healthy relationships, and mental wellness. When I visited the GIP classes at Liberty, they were still pretty new to the program. Shari had them draw an outline of their head/neck/shoulders and in different sharpie colors write words that describe them. When they were done they were asked to read some of the words they put down. They said things like “Funny, weird, nice, mean, tall, short, strong, weak, artistic, athletic, quiet, or outgoing.” They opened up by using art as an outlet. I could tell that GIP is really going to have a positive influence on their lives.

Suicide Prevention and mental health training is not limited to the classrooms. MHALC staff delivers these trainings to agencies, civic groups, educators, parents, and anyone interested in becoming aware of the signs of depression and suicide. Suicide Prevention program coordinator, Justina Wade, travels around Licking County every day to give presentations about depression and suicide prevention. This will include the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide, how to react to someone who is suicidal, and how to help them. The presentations are very open so people feel comfortable enough to speak out about their own personal experiences.

Another great program for individuals living with a mental health issue is Compeer. The Compeer program coordinator, Donna Lee, travels all over Licking County to join together people living with severe and persistent mental health issues. She provides these individuals with mental health education, nutritional and wellness education, and uplifting community involvement. The mission of Compeer is to reduce the isolation for individuals who experience a mental health issue. Some activities that they do are art therapy, shopping, field trips, and lunches and dinners. Luckily, I was able to attend an art therapy session. A man sat down and showed me his stunning ink drawings. You could tell that he spent countless hours detailing and critiquing his beautiful work. He said to me “Art helps me fight my depression and for that I am so grateful to have a group like this.” Everybody there was so nice and open. It was astonishing watching these people express themselves through art.

One day I went to a presentation given by Penny to a local agency. Her voice was friendly and supportive and she insisted on keeping everything conversational. I was surprised at how attentive and open the workers were. Not only were they asking questions but they were also admitting their own personal issues with mental health whether it is a loved one or themselves. That takes a substantial amount of courage to do in front of your colleagues. It was simply astonishing sitting in a room and watching the stigma break in front of your eyes.

Citations

United States Census Bureau. (2016).QuickFacts Licking County, Ohio. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lickingcountyohio/AGE775216#viewtop

Sitler: Despite suicides, there is hope

By Penny Sitler
Executive Director
Mental Health America of Licking County

The past few weeks have been full of disturbing events close to our home in Licking County. As I’ve mentioned in past articles, MHA facilitates our Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team and we have been much too busy so far in 2018.

Multiple young people in their 20’s from several Licking County communities have taken their own lives since the new year began. Any suicides are too many, but to lose so many in such a short time, whether we knew the young people or not, leaves us all with a terrible sadness and sense of regret.

Several of the families who have lost sons have been utterly open in disclosing how they died, acknowledging the pain that depression caused, and asking others to pay attention to those around them and find ways to help someone who suffers from mental illness. One obituary includes the stigma fighting words, “Depression is all-consuming and it’s okay to recognize and discuss the significant impacts and realities.” It goes on to encourage people to show kindness to others they recognize as suffering and to ask for help for themselves when they need it. We know that on average people wait ten years from onset of symptoms of mental illness until they are diagnosed. If we could get people in for assessments in the very early stages of a mental disorder rather than waiting such a long time, imagine the improved outcomes those people would experience.

The Licking Valley community convened a vigil to celebrate the lives of three graduates in their 20’s who took their lives within a four-day period. The purpose of the vigil was to give people an opportunity to mourn and to speak out about the precious lives lost too early. People often need a chance to express their feelings after such tragedy and they need to feel a sense of community as they come to terms with what has happened. Kudos to Licking Valley schools and those who organized the vigil for giving people that safe place to be a part of something larger than themselves. I also applaud them for allowing those of us in the mental health world to provide resources to those in attendance.

If you know someone who seems to need a friend, someone who has become isolated or quit participating in normal activities, or someone who is giving away favorite items, reach out. Ask how you can help. Let them know what you’ve noticed and offer to find resources for them. Call 2-1-1 with them on speaker phone, explain what you’re noticing ask what your next step should be. Text this message: Text 4hope to 741741, the Crisis Text Line, for free confidential 24/7 support. Don’t walk on by. Be that friend you would want someone to be for you.