Task force established to address local mental health needs, gaps

Jan. 22--Following last week's town hall meeting on the state of mental health in the Grand Haven area, community members have formed a task force to further assess the needs and take action.

Earlier this week, a 21-person task force met and developed a list of others they would like to see represented as they look to address gaps in mental health services in the Tri-Cities.

The task force will next meet at 6 p.m.Feb. 17 at Grand Haven Area Public Schools'Education Service Center, 1415 S. Beechtree St. During the meeting, they will use the community's feedback to begin looking at what services are already being offered and what they can address without overlapping services.

A second town hall meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.March 2 at the Grand Haven Community Center, 421 Columbus Ave., to assess the priority issues, seek feedback and discuss the mental health millage proposal in Ottawa County, which is on the March 8 ballot. The outcome of the March meeting will determine and shape what happens next.

Barbara Lee, executive director of Extended Grace, said it's not enough to talk about the issues, although raising awareness helps.

"We're going to make a difference in the community," she said.

On Feb. 7, Extended Grace's Inspire! event will also focus on mental health and provide information about the ballot issue. That event takes places at 1 p.m. at Barber School in Spring Lake.

So far, the task force is made up of parents, people in the legal field, health care workers, people living with mental illness and other residents. Community members are welcome to join the conversations and get involved, Lee said.

Lee said their concern is making sure it's a grassroots initiative so they're "the authentic voice of the voiceless," and it's important to have the community represented.

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five American adults experience a mental illness, and about one in 25 adults live with a serious mental illness.

More than 100 people attended last week's town hall meeting, where they discussed local gaps and opportunities for improvement such as elementary counselors in school buildings, first aid mental health training for police, a safe teen center, non-pharmaceutical options, psychiatry as a whole, and holding an anti-stigma event.

Lee said the outpouring of interest and involvement shows they've "tapped into a real need in the community."

Tamara Sinn, president of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Grand Haven, said she got involved in the task force as a way to raise awareness about the local peer support group. Sinn said she also wants to make sure people living with mental illnesses, like her, are part of the discussions since they experience the gaps and resources first-hand.

Ultimately, Sinn said she would like to expand the peer support group to weekly meetings and have a place to gather outside of someone's home. Another big issue, she said, is funding for support and services.

Whether or not the community decides to create a safe drop-in space, as discussed in the town hall meeting, Lee said it should be noted that it may take a while for people to use the services, as it sometimes takes a while for people to overcome their own personal barriers. Lee said having the conversations and taking action lets people living with mental illness know the community cares about them.

About 60 percent of adults didn't receive services for their mental illnesses in the past year, according to NAMI. Lee said stigma is the biggest barrier to receiving services.

Education about mental illness is also an area Sinn would like to see addressed.

"It's not something that's shameful," she said.

To get involved with the task force, contact Barbara Lee at 616-502-2078 or by email at Barbara@extendedgrace.org.

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