Mental health conversations needed locally

Mental health professionals want to change the conversation around mental health stigmas and are wearing green in support of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Coleman Director of Administrative support and medical records Madison Lammers has noticed an uptick in clients in Auglaize County where Allen and Hardin County have been consistent.

Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Tammie Colon said the pandemic and opioid crisis, have added to demands for mental health treatment on top of other loss, grief and anxiety needs.

“We were on survival mode for a long time and now we are seeing some effects of it,” Colon said. “We are strongly encouraging people not only to get the help if you need it but to help someone when you see it.”

Colon said it was important to reduce the stigma to give people the freedom to say they aren’t feeling well.

Lammers said it can be very hard to ask for help, but it is important for people to get the help they need so they can work on bettering their lives.

Colon said organizations like PASS are conducting mental health first aid trainings all the time for businesses and groups.

She said resources are available online and involves about 8-10 hours of training materials.

Mental health first aid can help reduce stigma and point out language that might be harmful.

“”It’s a real awareness to change the conversation so that people don’t feel judged,” Colon said.

Lammers sees the need for that kind of conversation.

“There are a lot of other agencies that are opening up because of the high need and demand for these services in our area,” Lammers said. “It’s really cool

that Coleman can provide those services and be such a big part of it. It’s awesome that we can take good services that we have for our adult clients and now apply them for the children.”

Coleman will be adding children psychiatry and case management to their list of services with Dr. Victor Wei joining their team.

“We are getting staff trained because it will be a big transition,” Lammers said.

Coleman assists with a variety of mental health challenges, from addiction to psychiatry and counseling. They also can help clients with the process of getting a job and help prepare them. The Hopeline is a 24-hour crisis hotline that anyone can call: 1-800567-4673.