We Make It Better

There is a commercial for BASF, a chemical company that runs with the tag line: “We don’t make the products you buy, we make the products you buy better.” I have no idea what they make but I’m glad that whatever super-secret ingredients they use quietly enhance my quality of life.

We do the same thing.

The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board does not provide counseling services, psychiatric evaluations, or crisis interventions. We can’t by law. But we do make the services you receive better. And it’s not just the traditional services that you think of: counseling at Lutheran Social Services or case management at Family Resource Centers.

We’re everywhere!

The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board is committed to being a quiet value addition to the community and the many other agencies, schools, and organizations that help our community.

Here are some examples:

Over the past five years, the Board has invested more than $100,000 in training for our agency personnel, the community, our Faith Partners, and other agencies. We’ve trained more than 140 people to be support group facilitators, we’ve trained our providers in total quality management, we’ve offered two trainings for faith communities to help people right in their congregations, we’ve done dozens of small trainings for workplaces and other organizations.

The Board also assists other organizations with designing brochures, web sites, and promotional materials for events and groups that offer help. Often, a volunteer group facilitator only needs a little “back office” support to make amazing things happen.

Take for example Barb Link, a member of Faith Partners, a graduate of our support group facilitator training, and now a Mental Health & Recovery Services Board member. Barb began a group for women who have been victims of sexual assault called “I Have a Voice.” The group has grown so large that it is now two groups. All it took from us was the training and help with the brochure.

Don’t underestimate the amount of silent support the community receives from the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board. We don’t make the services, but we make the services better. We are everywhere. We want to help. Please help us.

Phil Atkins