VERO BEACH — Local philanthropist Barbara Hurley contributed $20,000 to the Mental Health Association (MHA) to ensure immediate access to emotional and behavioral health care through the Mental Health Walk-In Center.
Mrs. Hurley’s support of the MHA means that people in emotional crisis have immediate access to quality mental health care, regardless of their ability to pay. She has supported the Walk-In Center since it opened in 2007 through the Annual Fund, TurtleTrax Fundraisers, Sponsorships and Major Gifts.
“Mrs. Hurley is a true philanthropist. She understands it takes all pieces of a Fund Development plan to sustain an organization and chooses to give to the MHA in different ways,” stated Kristine Sarkauskas, President & CEO of the Mental Health Association.
“Barbara Becker Hurley has a strong and sincere belief that the power of philanthropy is not to be taken lightly, that it has the ability to be transformational to the organizations as well as the community.
Mrs. Hurley has a rare and special gift of connecting organizations which have a broad impact throughout Indian River County. She is a magnet, a connector, with a natural ability to draw people and organizations together.
There are many agencies in need of charitable funds fighting for the same dollars in our area. Through her giving she creates opportunities to enhance services allowing one organization to participate in another’s programs thus helping as many as possible,” stated Sarkauskas.
Mrs. Hurley notes that she has discovered the real truth behind the old adage “It is better to give than to receive.” She shared that she has received joy tenfold for every dollar she has ever contributed.
Although Mrs. Hurley’s role in philanthropy is now mostly financial, it didn’t start out that way. Her first role in volunteering was as a teenager when she emulated her mother and taught underprivileged children to swim at a YMCA and also helped physically challenged adults with water therapy in the pool at the Connecticut Rehabilitation Center.
She continued volunteering on committees for various organizations such as the Historical Preservation Society, Waveny House, and the American Cancer Society. Her Board involvement includes Stamford Hospital and the American Cancer Society 125 of which her parents, Lillian M. and Richard E. Becker, were founding members. Mrs. Hurley is proud to carry on her parents’ legacy.
Although Mrs. Hurley’s health has not allowed her to participate on Boards or Committees for the past several years, she is never more than a phone call or email away and continues to provide advice and guidance.
Mrs. Hurley stated that she doesn’t give to be remembered. More often than not the gifts are given to remember her parents. As her parents did, she believes in being low-key and quiet in her giving.
“Giving, to me, is almost selfish. It makes me feel good, although that’s not why I give. I give because people need,” Mrs. Hurley stated when admitting something that many who give might be hesitant to say.
In 2010, Barbara Hurley was presented with the National Philanthropy Day Indian River County Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award.
Mrs. Hurley’s gift to the MHA will provide services to adults and children in Indian River County who are in crisis and/or are dealing with behavioral or emotional issues. The multilingual staff, which includes a Case Manager and Clinical Director (Psychologist), is increasing their focus on reducing barriers to access for the population in Indian River County who do not speak English to meet their unmet mental health needs.
The Walk-In Center serves all residents of Indian River County, including those financially unable to receive private mental health services and/or are uninsured, underinsured, or indigent.
Effective treatments exist and can be successfully delivered in outpatient settings. The vast majority of affected individuals are capable of living productively within their communities.
“Emotional and behavioral healthcare is an important part of overall healthcare, and we want everyone to feel as comfortable seeking help for emotional and behavioral health issues as they would for a broken bone.
Over the last several years, we have become more and more comfortable talking about our bodies and yet, for some reason, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health that keeps people from seeking help. One way we strive to reduce this stigma is by providing a warm, friendly, welcoming atmosphere for our clients.
Everyone in our community deserves the best emotional and behavioral health care, and we are grateful to Mrs. Hurley for her continued support,” Sarkauskas added.
The Walk-In Center provides immediate access for those experiencing mental health issues, including emerging mental health crises. Services include psychiatry, psychopharmacology, diagnostic assessments, individual and group therapy, and case management.
The Walk-In Center also offers educational classes for parenting, anger management, anxiety, depression, domestic violence for adults, children, and families.
Each client is involved in developing his/her treatment plan with goals and objectives clearly defined. Clients choose, participate, and influence service provision based on client needs.
Clients complete a brief survey after each visit to help evaluate the programs and to determine additional needs for the clients and the community.
90% of the clients who access our programs and services have an income level at or below 150% of federal poverty and the MHA provides care to them free of charge.
The Mental Health Association is a United Way Agency.
It is located at 820 37th Pl. in Vero Beach.
