The need for mental health services is growing, with millions in the U.S. suffering from diverse mental health conditions and many of them unaware or ashamed of their conditions.
The need for mental health services is growing, with millions in the U.S. suffering from diverse mental health conditions and many of them unaware or ashamed of their conditions.
People can find help through the National Alliance on Mental Health Geauga County, which has recently changed its location from South Street in Chardon to 8389 Mayfield Road in Chester Township.
The more spacious location allows the NAMI team to carry on additional meetings and support or training groups, said Jenn Bartone, NAMI Geauga executive director.
“It gives us a huge opportunity to reach more people,” she said, sitting in the suite’s small, comfortable lounge.
The new location also provides individual offices for Bartone and the other full-time employees — program coordinators Lindsay Gates and Billie Olsen, and office administrator Amanda Matthews.
The four provide myriad programs focused on education, advocacy and support for those who want to learn how to deal with their own mental health issues and those who have family or loved ones suffering from mental illness, Bartone said.
“We’re not medical, not clinical and we don’t have licenses. But we have personal life experiences,” she said. “We educate people about mental illness, how to live in those conditions.”
Bartone does not deny the need for medical and clinical intervention and diagnosis for individuals with serious mental illness. Getting medicine and counseling are important, but they often are not enough.
“What do you do between doctor’s visits?” she asked. “You want to talk to someone who has walked the walk.”
Everybody in the office has had personal experience with mental illness and is trained facilitators for group meetings, Bartone said.
NAMI opened its Geauga office in 2007 and Bartone came on in 2016 as executive director, she said.
The staff has grown to accommodate the area’s needs and she said she expects the move to Chester will increase the organization’s visibility and usefulness.
“This move was necessary for our growth,” Bartone said. “Already we have had more people coming in. We haven’t lost anyone, yet.”
NAMI Geauga also has a support group meeting in Middlefield and is involved in the behavioral health unit at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, she said.
With two meeting rooms at the new office, they can facilitate two groups at the same time. The education side of NAMI includes free courses for families that have members with mental illness, one for parents of school-aged children with mental health conditions, a peer-led course on recovery and an online course for loved ones of military service members with mental health problems, according to the brochure.
The courses provide people with the tools they need to manage their situations while the support groups give them a chance to share their problems and listen to others who have similar issues, she said.
“They need constant support. They can’t wait for the next crisis. They need a strong foundation so they have the resources they need at their fingertips,” Bartone said, adding the participants learn how to care for themselves.
NAMI Geauga is also involved with the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services suicide prevention coalition, she said.
In particular, middle-aged, older men and any elderly, isolated individuals are at risk for suicide, Bartone said.
Friends and families often don’t recognize the symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression or addiction problems. NAMI offers a community training she calls mental health first-aid that provides people the tools to identify a crisis or substance abuse issue.
Pre-registration is not necessary for the peer support groups that meet at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Chester office or every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Middlefield United Methodist Church, 14999 S. State St. in Middlefield.
A family and friends support group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Chester office.
A Growth Through Grief Support groups meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays for anyone who has lost a friend or loved one due to suicide or other traumatic death.
Bartone said they are planning an open house March 15 so residents can meet the staff and learn about what NAMI has to offer. More information is available online at www.namigeauga.org. The NAMI help line is 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
