MALONE — A new center has opened to help people with mental-health issues shed stereotypes, gain compassionate support and re-enter the workforce.
The Mental Health Association of Clinton and Franklin Counties opened the Community Connections Recovery Center in the former Newberry's building at 7 Pearl St. in Malone.
The center is hosting an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, to share its ideas and mission with residents, neighbors and businesspeople willing to help others.
THRIFT SHOP
Next door, the center is opening a second-hand store, Rescued Treasures, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, to employ some of the clients and teach them job skills.
The store, featuring donated gently used household items and furniture, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. No clothing or broken items will be accepted.
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Sara Fuller, a mutual-support specialist at the agency, said the center's goal is to tell people to "leave your labels at the door because even people with a mental disability are still able to work and go on with life."
The center provides services and programs to support those who might need advocacy for themselves or their children on issues such as education barriers, finding resources and making sure they get to appointments and therapy sessions.
There are also parenting classes offered that teach common-sense techniques, peer-networking groups where kids can talk about anger issues or share feelings and help for siblings of mental-health clients.
The Recovery Center will arrange to bring in people with special interests and talents to work with a group of others with similar interests, such as those who want to cook or learn to make craft projects to sell at the store.
The type of special programs offered will depend on the requests and interests of the clients.
REWORKING MEDICAID
A $250,000 grant was awarded to the nonprofit agency from the State Office of Mental Health under a program-wide reorganization of Medicaid, said Community Connections Program Director Shelley Shulter.
The idea is to reduce Medicaid expenses by having places where people in non-life-threatening crisis can seek help instead of going to hospital emergency rooms.
Eventually, the center will have a 24-hour telephone line set up for those who need to call and talk to someone, even if it's at 2 in the morning, Shulter said.
Once a month, the center will host a coffee club, where anyone who wants to can drop in for some friendly conversation.
Other community events could include a movie night or other activities, she said.
SELF RESPECT
The center wants the community to get involved to help break down the stigma attached to mental disorders so the clients can restore "their self-respect and to find hope and education.
"But we also don't hold people's hands," Shulter said. "We encourage them toward self-sufficiency."
Email Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com
