From The Desk Of The Executive Director: Cheryl Blacklock
Community Education & Referral Program
Compeer For Kids/ Family Support
Compeer Niagara-Adult Program
MHA’s In-Home Respite Program
Consumer Activities
Youth Booth
Compeer Friendship Connection
Board of Directors

Hello Everyone,

I was recently collecting names for those to invite to our upcoming Annual Luncheon and came across the list of awards we give out each year.  As I was reading the explanations for each award, and who they are in honor of, it dawned on me that these awards are given because someone stood above so many others and that their commitments and beliefs were so strong that even today, people are benefitting from their dedication and commitment.

I asked myself, what do we really know about those that were so instrumental to the life line of the MHA? Take “Betty” Ruth E. Sinclair.  Although never having met her, I know she was a strong, compassionate person and was definitely a pillar in the community.  I’ve been told that Betty would not have liked being singled out as she was one of those individuals that preferred working behind the scenes and yet, if not for her, there would be no MHA as it is today.  What about Jerry Casey and/or Arlo?  What led them to be so committed to mental health?  What led them to go above and beyond what anyone would have expected and to make such a huge difference for not only those diagnosed with a mental illness, but for their family members and care takers as well?  Again, I never had the opportunity of meeting Jerry or Arlo but I can bet that they too had the same drive and devotion that Betty Sinclair had.  Although none of these leaders are with us today, I feel as if they are an essential part of the MHA and they help to map out my responsibilities as the Executive Director.

The Mental Health Association opened its doors in 1964 and last year alone reached over thirty thousand people either through the Helpline, education and referral services, community education classes, Youth Booth, Compeer for adults and children, CPAC meetings and In-Home Respites.  If not for the dedicated, committed people that have worked for us, advocated for us and/or funded us, there is little chance that we would have survived all of these years.  I take this opportunity to thank those that have walked ahead of me and those who will come after me for continuing to support the mission of the Mental Health Association.

Cheryl

Traumatic loss support groups help many

In the quiet conference room, a young widow talks about the sudden death of her 39-year-old husband from a heart attack. The other members of the Grief Share support group nod and listen attentively. They too have stories of the sudden, traumatic death of a loved one – a child, a spouse, a friend -- and know all too well the journey through grief that this young widow is beginning. They know also about the comfort and healing that can come from sharing their grief experiences with others in a supportive setting. Here, in this conference room, with these people, they feel normal as they talk about how a sudden loss has changed their lives forever. They feel free from the pressure to “get on with life” that they sometimes feel from the “outside world.” Here they can grieve and be understood. They come to the Grief Share support group because it helps.

The Grief Share support groups, sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Niagara County, were formed in 2006, to provide a safe place for adults coping with the sudden traumatic death of a loved one. For years, professionals from a variety of agencies had known about the need for support in the face of sudden, unexpected losses. After a study of traumatic loss and as a result of some additional funding, the Grief Share groups were formed.

By its very nature, psychological trauma is an occurrence which is outside the scope of everyday life and which would be noticeably distressing to almost anyone. As a result, these events require extraordinary coping efforts. Imagine coping with the death of a child, a homicide or suicide death, or a sudden health crisis. Traumatic loss shatters a person’s world. “Normal” is suddenly gone, to be replaced by a “new normal” that is often unfamiliar and frightening.

When someone has experienced a traumatic loss, it can be intimidating to consider going to a support group for the first time. “What goes on? Will I be forced to talk?” The Grief Share support groups, facilitated by mental health professionals familiar with traumatic loss and grief, start with the basic ground rule of confidentiality – “what happens in the group stays in the group.” Within this private, safe setting, group members share their feelings, their life circumstances and the impact of grief, and their memories of their loved ones. They realize that others are sharing a similar range of feelings, from sadness and anger to fear, fondness and love. They learn from each other some practical ways of coping and where to go for help. They cry if they want to and laugh when the time is right for laughter. Mostly, they have a place where they learn about the many faces of grief, as they support and are supported by others.

The Mental Health Association invites anyone who has experienced a traumatic loss to attend one of the Grief Share support groups. One group meets in Niagara Falls at the Niagara Falls Medical Center, sixth floor conference room, on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 6:00-7:30 pm. The Medical Center is at 621 10th Street.

Another group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Mental Health Association offices, 36 Pine Street in Lockport. Please feel free to call 716-433-3780 for more information.

Support group helps friends and family members of the mentally ill

One of the most confusing occurrences for families is to have a family member diagnosed with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder. According to the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in 17 Americans, or 6%, lives with a serious mental illness. They also estimate that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in this country. Most mental illnesses can be treated effectively when individuals receive proper care and treatment planning. However, many families learn that they need to take an active part in helping their loved ones receive such care.

Caring for an individual with a serious mental illness takes time and patience, as family members must navigate the mental health system in search of good treatment options.  Gathering and absorbing information takes time and effort. Having a family member with a mental illness also reminds families that having a member with any serious illness is stressful. Friends and co-workers too often become involved as caring participants in treatment. All in all, although treatable, mental illnesses, like physical illnesses, can take a toll on caregivers.

To help people cope with the stressors of caring for individuals with serious mental illnesses, the Mental Health Association in Niagara County sponsors the “Friends and Family” support group. Meeting twice monthly, this group offers a safe place for friends and family members to speak freely about their experiences.  Confidentiality is an important ground rule; people are free to say what they want without fear of their remarks leaving the room. Being able to voice concerns, feelings, and frustrations allows group members to gain some perspective on the issues of mental illness. They can share their feelings without the fear of being judged. As one group member put it, “We can talk about a ‘forbidden topic’ openly and know that other people ‘get it’. By listening and sharing, group members get valuable information and learn from the real-life experiences of others who faced similar challenges.

This is a well-established group that is hoping to expand its membership to others in the community who have similar concerns and who are looking for support and information.  This group has much to offer to families and friends of the seriously mentally ill; no one needs to “go it alone.”

The “Friends and Family” group meets the 1st and 3rd  Monday of every month, at the Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street in Lockport. The group meets from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm and is free of charge. For more information, please contact the Mental Health Association at (716) 433-3780.

Compeer Niagara for Kids Program continues to have interesting programs and different exciting adventures.  In future months the Kids Program will experience new activities and challenges.  The program will have their annual Spring Fling Dinner in Lockport with all family members attending. We will have an exciting reptile show – snakes and reptiles –get ready.  As always, we are seeking volunteers for our program. If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer experience please call 433-3780 and see how you can start on the path to friendship and fun.

Compeer program activities for 2008 have begun with a big increase in participant attendance and the Compeer staff says “thank you” to all participants for that support. We especially appreciate the support from our unmatched consumers. This is one benefit all members can take advantage of, whether you are matched or waiting to be matched. We know how hard it is to walk into an activity and not know if you’ll be alone or know anyone. We would always make sure you were paired with a staff person your first time and would introduce you to other members.

You’d be surprised how frequently people come for the first time and find someone they already know!  We welcome the new volunteers and consumers who have joined our program and look forward to seeing them at Compeer’s future activities. We plan activities on different days of the week, in different parts of the county, so everyone gets a chance to attend. Each month’s newsletter lists our events.

Our activities are always a good way to meet other Compeer volunteers and consumers, as well as a chance to get to know the staff. Compeer Niagara’s goal is to match every consumer who joins our program with a volunteer. This volunteer makes a one year commitment to the program, meets with his or her Compeer friend several times a month and is a supportive friend.

Why not become a friend to someone who doesn’t know the joy of having a supportive friend. One hour a week can make a big difference to someone who simply needs a listening ear or an interested friend. If you find that you don’t have the time to meet with someone on a weekly basis, a once a month match could be arranged.

Call Compeer at 433-3780 to find out about the application process. Volunteers are needed throughout Niagara County. You’ll be matched with someone who lives near you. We have many people waiting to be matched who would be so interesting to spend time with. Find out how easy it is to be a mentor, advocate or friend. Adult and youth matches are available. Training and ongoing support is provided on an individual basis. Your gift of friendship is priceless.  The need for volunteers is great, the commitment is small and the rewards are immeasurable. You’ll wonder what took you so long to find us.

In Home Respite  Respite Care: The Gift of Time

In the busy world that we live in, there is nothing more precious than the gift of time. Whether it is time to spend with our loved ones, time for a spring walk, or time to cook dinner, there just never seems to be enough hours in the day.

The In-Home Respite Program is here to ease your stress and provide you with the opportunity to regain back the freedom and fun in your life! Take a walk, spend one-on-one time with a child, go out with old friends, and begin to enjoy your time!

The In-Home Respite Program provides short-term non-therapeutic childcare to families throughout Niagara County. Respite services are free-of-charge and not based on income! The program recently hired an additional six childcare workers in order to better serve our respite families. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new respite care workers to the Mental Health Association team.

If you have at least one child with a current mental health diagnosis, are a resident of Niagara County, and have legal or shared custody of your children call 433-3780 ext 20 today.

Spring is in the air. We can’t wait to get outside to walk, breath the fresh air, and watch the flowers and grass start to grow. The spring is always a new beginning. We have been working on a teen group that has been doing well. Anthony has been working as our facilitator and has kept the group engaged. The group has come up with a name; they are to be known as the Cats and Dogs.

CPAC (Consumer Planning Advisory Committee) meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month, although there is a scheduling conflict and April’s meeting will be held on the third Thursday. Meetings are being held in the Meeting Room at the Lockport Public Library from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everyone is invited to attend and refreshments are served.  We have speakers that share information with CPAC attendees. We have had Jennifer Kubek from Community Missions speak on transportation and options that are available to get where we need to go. CPAC meetings are a good venue for sharing information with each other. We all learn from our experiences and sharing that knowledge helps every one.

Success with a Mental Illness

Today it is very hard to hear about someone that is successful and has a mental illness. Occasionally you hear of it, but not very often. I don't know if it is the people with the illness themselves that are afraid of the word success or they are afraid of failing if they do try. Maybe they have tried and failed and don't want to go through that disappointment again. 

When you are disabled mentally or physically you are automatically labeled. When you do try to succeed and fail it is easy to give up. I am writing this to try to inspire you, based on my own experience with the whole success and fail cycle. 

One thing that has helped me succeed and want to succeed is a quote that my mom told me. My Mom would say, "Don't let your illness control you, but you control your illness!" It was so easy for me to say the famous words" I can't" and feel that nobody expected more of me because of my illness. When she told me that quote, at first, I dismissed it as another lecture from her. A lecture because she had nothing better to do with her time. But as time went on, that quote sank in.  I started to think more about the quote and realized the truth behind it.

At the time I was going from job to job. I was trying for my GED at the time but only half heartily. Then I decided to take my GED seriously and came so close to getting it, but I failed. It was so easy to say "I can't", but then I remembered her quote. So that kept me going and finally after three attempts I got it and was so proud of myself for not giving up.  Then I wondered how it would feel to accomplish another goal. I started the next step in my education. 

Now I am doing great with that. Basically when I feel things are getting too hard and I want to quit, I think of what she said and that is all I need to get the motivation back.  Now I am advocating for youth, something I feel strongly about. Without the support from my parents and others close to me, and most importantly that quote, I would have given up a long time ago.

What I am trying to say is, you can succeed in all you do. If you establish a positive support network and find something that motivates you to succeed, whether it is this quote or something else. Don't be afraid to fail. It is not how many times you fall but how many times you get back up.  Don't let others tell you what you can or can't do. It is your life, you dictate it.  Everyone with the mental health stigma wants to beat the stigma but the only way we can really do that is through success, no matter how big or small. When you climb the mountain of life it is very steep and you will slip and fall but you have to keep climbing so you can finally get to the top and reach your star.       Anthony Robisch

The Youth Booth program is here to reach out to youth and provide information and education on various youth issues.  The Youth Booth is available to set up informational tables on mental health topics such as Peer Pressure, Relationships, Depression, Anxiety, etc. Information tables are sometimes done at health fairs, during lunch periods, or at youth events.  The Youth Booth also offers educational presentations to students on specific topics. The goal of educational presentations is to help students become more knowledgeable. The program helps give youth ideas to help develop positive coping skills when in difficult situations.  To request a presentation, call Carleen Stover at 433-3780 ext.21.

Check back for upcoming stories

Honor Martin, R.N. - President
Susan Mason, Ph.D. - Vice President

Kenneth Bork - Treasurer

Stacy Passino, J.D. - Secretary

Rhonda Bivins

Frances Crosby
Pamela Davidowski

Pamela Garlock

Carsee Herring

Howard Morgan

Jeffrey Peresi, BAS, CASAC