The Power of Support

Several weeks ago I received a call from an elderly woman. She was going through resources in the phone book and came across our number. Her voice was quiet and I could tell that she had been crying.

Her husband of many years had passed away and she was having a difficult time with the loss. She talked to me about him, telling me that he was a good man and a good provider, and that he had taken wonderful care of her throughout their life together. And now she needed a different kind of care and support.

She asked if there was a support group for widows who were experiencing the same devastating losses. She wanted to be with someone who knew firsthand about her sadness, her fear, and her sense of being left alone.

I took her phone number and promised to call her back. When I hung up, I sent a far-flung email to everyone I could think of asking if there was such a group. Almost immediately I got a reply from a friend who directed me to the YWCA. Such a group meets there, I confirmed, and in fact they met the next day. I called the woman back and shared the information.

That was all I did. She did the rest, along with the group of women who meet at the YW. I called her back about a week later to see how it went. Her voice was different, more controled and certainly composed. The group, it seems, was exactly what she needed.

The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board feels strongly that support groups are our first line of defense in helping people live happier lives. I could have offered this woman counseling and antidepressants and lots of formal services. They would have probably helped, but all she really needed was to be with other women who shared her grief and hugged her as she wept out the story of her broken heart, offering her the hope of their experience a little farther down the path.

It's not just our opinion that support groups help. There is solid science behind our commitment to getting people to share experience, strength, and hope with each other. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently issued a report on the role of support and self-help groups in recovery. "What was once considered as an alternative is now considered an element of mainstream services..." the report stated.

We believe that given the right environment, people have an infinite capacity to heal themselves. We also believe that helping others heal brings us a sense of wholeness, joy, and recovery.

Sometimes, all we need to do is get out of the way.

Phil Atkins

[For the full text of the SAMHSA report visit: http://oas.samhsa.gov]

State Budget Cuts Cripple the most Vulnerable

The tragic consequecnces of the Governor's State budget was felt deeply by our community yesterday. The Mental Health and Recovery Board at it's meeting yesterday took action to end programming at Changing Seasons peer support center as of December 31. The lease for the space will continue until June 30 and a grant for an outreach worker was put into place. The Board was placed in the difficult position of having to choose between funding 1000's of hours of psychiatric services and case management or supportive services for clients.

Family members who belong to NAMI voiced their concern but also vowed to work with Lutheran Social Serivces and the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board to keep the spirit of Changing Seasons alive through collaborative efforts, volunteers, and students from local universities and businesses that might be willing to partner.

Over 40 people a day attend Changing Seasons.

Tammie Colon, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Lutheran said that staff were crying when she delivered the news last week.

The Mental Health System is still in a state of shock that state lawmakers and the Governor would deliver cuts to a system that cares for persons with brain disorders while other systems remained unscathed. The Governor's promise to protect the most vulnerable Ohioans falls on deaf ears when those with a biologically based brain disorder are singled out for reduced care.

Over the next weeks and months our system will need the help of the whole community to stand shoulder to shoulder in providing care for these people who deserve our help. Volunteers will be needed to work with an outreach staff in order to keep Changing Seasons open for a few hours each day. Businesses will be sought out who might be looking to co-locate downtown. Colleges and Universities will be contacted and students asked to volunteer their time so that during the coldest months of the year these vulnerable Ohioans will have a place.

We need your help.

Mike Schoenhofer

Postpone Income Tax Reduction Letter to Governonr Strickland

October 19, 2009

The Honorable Ted Strickland
Governor, State of Ohio
77 South High Street, 30th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Governor Strickland:

The postponement of the scheduled reduction of personal income taxes is the right thing to do. On behalf of the residents of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties these funds must be used to stop any additional cuts to the community mental health and alcohol and drug addiction services programs that make the difference between life and death. Singling out persons with biological brain disorders that result in mental illness or addiction for funding cuts is wrong!

Governor Strickland, mental illnesses and addictions are physical illnesses! Persons with these brain disorders need your help as much as children need education and seniors need to be able to live with dignity. People with brain disorders are Ohioans too!

Since the passage of Am. Sub. H.B. 1 the community mental health and alcohol and drug addiction system has lost over $90 million in funds for local mental health services, and $8 million in funds for alcohol and other drug treatment services. Due to these budget cuts, many Ohioans are unable to access necessary life saving treatment, only to have their conditions worsen. These Ohioans suffering from brain disorders had previously been served in the community mental health and/or alcohol and drug addiction system, and are now left with only the options of receiving needed services in emergency rooms, state psychiatric hospital and/or prison. Without adequately funding the community based system of care; the cost to the State will be a great deal more in total dollars and human life.

Our residents have lost over $2 million of state funds that has resulted in the loss of peer support programs, vocational programs, addiction treatment and intervention services and a reduction of in-school programming that our Lima City Schools have identified as being essential to their success so far. Longer waiting times and reduced access for psychiatry and therapy are among some of the critical services that impact the health and well being of our communities.

Specifically we would ask for the following

ODMH
We request that the $36 million ($20 in 2010 and $16 in 2011) presently in the 635 line be placed in the 505 line, and that the entire amount be allocated to the Boards via the general 505 distribution method with no earmarks.
Additionally, we ask that the $7.35 million per year cut from 408 be replaced in the 408 line to be distributed to Boards.

ODADAS
Ohio’s liquor profits are steadily increasing, yet only 1% ($4.4 million) is allocated to ODADAS. We request that the 1% be raised to 2% for an additional $4.4 million per year to go to ODADAS.

Ohioans with biologically based brain disorders must be given the same opportunity for treatment as persons with any other physical illness. Please work to find additional funding for mental health and addiction services; as Ohioans with a disease of the brain, are counting on you to ensure that they have the necessary life saving healthcare available.

Sincerely,


Michael Schoenhofer
Executive Director

Cc Senator Faber
Representative Huffman
Representative Hite
Representative Adams

Economic Downturn Taking Toll on Americans' Mental Health

New National Survey Finds Jobless Individuals Four Times as Likely To Report Serious Problems.

Thirteen percent of unemployed individuals report that they have thought of harming themselves which is four times more than reported by persons with full time work.

A new national survey shows the economic downturn is taking a toll on the mental health of Americans. Individuals who are unemployed are four times as likely as those with jobs to report symptoms consistent with severe mental illness.

Americans who experienced involuntary changes in their employment status, such as pay cuts or reduced hours, also are twice as likely to have these symptoms, even though they are employed full time.

The survey was conducted for Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness in collaboration with the Depression is Real Coalition. The results come from telephone interviews of 1,002 adults nationwide from September 17-20.

"This survey clearly shows that economic difficulties are placing the public's mental health at serious risk, and we need affirmative action to address these medical problems," said David L. Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. "Individuals confronting these problems should seek help for their problems - talk to their doctor, trusted friend or advisor or mental health professional."

Persons experiencing a mental health crisis can call 1-800-567-4673 or go to the We Care Regional Crisis Center located at 797 S Main Street on the outpatient campus of Lutheran Social Services anytime of the day or night.

Please contact your legislator and the Governor and let them know that these services are vital to our community. Post cards are still available for pick up at the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, 1541 Allentown Road, Lima.

Senator Faber - Telephone: 614/466-7584 Email: SD12@senate.state.oh.us
Representative Huffman (Allen) - Telephone: (614) 466-9624 Email: district04@ohr.state.oh.us
Representative Hite (Hardin / Auglaize) - Telephone: (614) 466-3819 Email: district76@ohr.state.oh.us
Representative Adams (Auglaize) - Telephone: (614) 466-1507 Email: district78@ohr.state.oh.us
Governor Strickland - Telephone (614) 644-4357

Please don't wait to get the help you need so that you can lead the life you deserve.

Mike Schoenhofer

Lima Senior High School Begins Support Groups

Lima Senior staff that has been trained as group facilitators by the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board will begin support groups for students next week in an effort to reach out to students in need of help. Family Resource Centers' staff will be providing assistance as the groups start up. This is an excellent partnership between the schools and the community mental health provider. This is the kind of collaboration that really saves lives.

Lima City Schools and the We Care People Providers are also teaming up to develop a comprehensive and targeted effort to reach students and their families who need mental health or substance abuse treatment. Early intervention will mean that these young people and their families will have a chance at living full lives that contribute to the well being and happiness of the whole community.

Congratulations to all concerned.

Mike Schoenhofer