Mental Health Awareness in Grant County
In recent years, the significance of mental health awareness in communities has grown. However, individuals facing mental health conditions continue to experience stigma despite these advancements. Mental health awareness has become a global matter with a universal disparity between those who need care and those with access to it.
Grant County continues to work towards bridging this gap. Through collaboration efforts like the renovation of Grant-Blackford Mental Health’s Community Support Program building and hosting events such as the county’s Mental Health Matters luncheon, our goal is to spread awareness of the services and support that is available to all residents.
Project Manager, James Beyioku, has recently dedicated time to take a deeper dive into the realm of mental health services and what services are available to Grant and Blackford County residents. Accompanied by Ryan Orvis, Training and Recruitment Coordinator at Grant Blackford Mental Health, James visited all of GBMH’s locations in Grant County to get a visual perspective on the various services the organization provides.
First Stop: Cornerstone
The Cornerstone building houses inpatient services such as emergency hospitalizations, long-term care, and addiction treatments. The facility is also home to a large portion of the pharmaceutical services provided through GBMH’s partnership with Genoa Healthcare.
Services Include:
Long-term care
Hospitalization
Administration/Finance/Human Resources
To get a look into the administrative departments of GBMH and Family Service Society, Inc (FSSI), James and Ryan visited the Main Administration offices as well as the Finance and Human Resources departments. With James’ background in business management, this was more familiar work. He appreciated the passion that the employees there showed for the work that they do. They demonstrated a clear commitment to the mission and vision of the organization and what they can provide for people.
Family Service Society
The next site on their trip was The Family Service Society building located in downtown Marion. FSSI provides services such as Hands of Hope, school-based programs, and various training programs such as CPR and AED. The goal of Hands of Hope is to prevent and support the victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The PULSE Program (Positive Understanding of Life Skills and Empowerment) is FSSI’s school-based program offered in Grant County school systems that utilizes an evidence-based prevention curriculum.
Services Include:
Trauma & Abuse Advocacy & Treatment
Trainings
Last Stop: Milestone Services
Their final tour was through Milestone Services. This facility aids with addiction disorders and substance abuse by providing educational programming, continued care and relapse prevention, case management, peer support, and medication – assisted treatment (MAT). Peer Support personnel play a significant role in ensuring clients are provided the best care. Clients recognize the meaningful relationships formed with their peer support and appreciate how these connections have contributed to the progress of their overall health.
Services Include:
Addiction Treatments
Group Therapy
Greatest Takeaways
From this experience, James walked away with a new perspective. He saw firsthand the dedication the personnel of the organization have toward helping and working with the people in Grant County. The employees are passionate about the work that they do and provide expert care for a range of mental health challenges.
There is a major need to destigmatize receiving mental health assistance in Grant County and beyond. The goal of GBMH and Grant County alike, is to spread awareness of the services that are provided and for people to know that reaching out for help is okay. Too often, many are afraid to receive the help they need. Grant County Economic Growth Council will continue to work towards supporting our community through the expansion of services available to residents. With goals of increasing awareness through educational resources and organizing collaboration efforts for all mental health matters, we hope to set our county up for a brighter future.
