Introductions needed: Organizations talk mental health at library event
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Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette
Beth Shannon, co-founder of Unite Mental Health and Wellness, spoke briefly during the public mental health program. She discussed the growth of the organization since it was opened, which includes currently having five therapists offering in-office counseling and therapy.
HOUGHTON -- May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. To start the monthlong awareness campaign, The Portage Lake District Library hosted a public program sponsored by the Mental Health Support Group – Keweenaw Area on Wednesday evening.
The program featured seven representatives from six local organizations, including Copper Country Community Health (CCMH); Keweenaw Support 4 Healthy Mine; Unite Mental Health and Wellness, of Houghton; and Mental Health Support Group – Keweenaw Area. Dial Help and Portage Health Foundation, who have recently partnered, were also present and provided updates on their projects and visions for the future.
As representatives from each organization spoke on their respective services, an underlying theme of the presentation emerged: the increasing need for services in the community, even as community organizations expand available services. While that sounds dark, the good news is that the community is rising to the challenge, conducting surveys to determine what the public wants and needs, and are working to provide those services. Work is also ongoing to increase revenues and resources for existing organizations.
Kevin Store, executive director of Portage Health Foundation, discussed the foundation's April 1 acquisition of Dial Help.
Dial Help has been serving Michigan's Copper Country for more than 52 years, starting as a local all-volunteer crisis line in 1971 for those struggling with addiction and eventually serving a much larger population going through any number of personal crises. Dial Help also provides prevention programming for youth and a host of services to those affected by sexual assault and other forms of crime.
Among the services and resources at Dial Help are youth services; victim services, which include specialized services for risk dealing with mental health, substance use, or other issues; crisis intervention; referrals; follow-up; family support; and counseling. Dial Help also offers services relating to substance use disorder, such as substance use disorder peer recovery coaching, outpatient treatment counseling, and drug/alcohol assessments for those in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.
With the partnership between the two organizations, PHF and Dial Help staff will work closely to optimize operations and implement key strategies meant to fill mental and behavior health gaps to better serve residents in the four-county region. All Dial Help staff, offices and services, including the Crisis Line, will continue to operate as they have.
Unite Mental Health & Wellness, located in East Houghton, was founded by Angela Price and Beth Shannon after they found an increasing demand for mental health services and a shortage of providers, especially in rural areas, Shannon said. One of the biggest challenges for those needing care is knowing where to go or knowing how to get connected to the help they need.
Shannon said that Unite is not a crisis center, but rather a facility to connect people with ongoing care.
She said that initially, the intent was to offer services remotely. However, the nonprofit organization currently has five therapists offering in-office care; two therapists offer help to children five years of age and younger, while three offer services to people five years old and older.
Copper Country Mental Health among many other services, offers treatment for mental health issues.
Throughout May, the Daily Mining Gazette will provide additional, detailed information on these organizations and their services, as articles raising community education and awareness regarding mental health.