Nearly 100 attendees teed up at Big Shots Golf to celebrate the 64th Birthday of the Mental Health Association of Indian River County at its annual Birthday Par-Tee fundraiser. And while it looked like just fun and games, the participants were all there to support the mission of the nonprofit “to provide immediate access with no barriers to mental health,” and to highlight that “It’s Okay to Get Help.”
“This year’s turnout is the best we’ve ever had,” said Amy Wagner, MHA fund development manager.
“We know how to throw a good party and we’re at maximum capacity. Even our staff members were able to attend thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, AR Homes and Macata Stone & Tile Design. It was a great way to celebrate 64 years of serving the mental health needs of our community.”
She noted that those mental health needs continue to grow as the world churns out economic uncertainty, political unrest, job insecurities and housing hardships. The recent pandemic took an emotional toll on everyone and continues to create stress and anxiety. Not surprisingly, it is not only adults who shoulder the pressures of life.
“We’ve seen rises in the need for treatment in certain areas, most specifically with regard to the number of services we’re providing for children. Everything going on in the world trickles down and it affects the kids,” said Phil Kromer Ph.D., MHA CEO.
“We’ve also seen an increase in the number of assessments, particularly suicide risk assessments,” he added.
Kromer emphasized the importance of the MHA Walk-in and Counseling Center during these stressful times, as people are invited to drop in and access their services from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If someone wishes to sit down with a mental health professional and get the immediate help they need, there is no appointment needed.
“The MHA offers so much more than just counseling,” added Kromer.
“We have community outreach programs in the schools and the Boys and Girls Club, and a very active veterans support group. We have support groups for depression, anxiety and other mood disorders, and we have the resources, tools and staff to help with any emotional crisis.
We continue to grow as we fill the gaps and needs of the community.”
Angela Guzenski, MHA COO, commented that in the past six months the MHA has experienced a 25 percent to 30 percent increase in the need for their mental health walk-in services, as well as a steady increase in the number of children and adolescents seeking help.
“We are now focusing on the needs for children and adolescents with the emphasis on prevention rather than intervention. We strive to heal the family as a whole, with special attention to parenting, so parents can understand what their child is going through and know how to react in certain situations.”
So that everyone can get help, services at the Mental Health Association are offered on a sliding scale basis, and individuals living at 300 percent below the Federal Poverty Level will be treated whether they have insurance or not.
For more information visit MHAIRC.org or call 772-569-9788.
Photos provided
