ATHOL – The biggest barrier that prevents an individual with a mental health issue from reaching out for help and support is fear of the stigma that surrounds it, says Kim Thibault-Britt of Clinical & Support Options.
The director of Quabbin House in Orange and the Green River House in Greenfield, community-based clubhouse programs that serve and support adults with mental illness, Thibault-Britt said she prefers to use the term, “mental health challenged.” The clubhouses are overseen by CSO, which is observing Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 6 through 12. “It’s about being aware, for the community to see that those with mental health challenges do have fulfilling lives by giving back to the community, and that recovery is possible,” she said. The week was designated in 1990 by the U.S. Congress.
The two clubhouses that she directs are modeled after the international Fountain House program founded in 1948 in New York City. The Fountain House vision “is for people with mental illness everywhere to achieve their potential and be respected as workers, neighbors and friends.”
Thibault-Britt said the onset of a mental health illness can start at age 14 and continue into the 30s. One out of four adult individuals in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental health challenge in a given year.
“The media portrays individuals with mental health challenges as ‘crazy,’” she said. The illness “is not there by choice,” and may be brought on by a risk factor, genetics, or environmental.
At CSO, “we encourage them,” Thibault-Britt said. Taking that first step is a journey to recovery. “When someone reaches out, we have open access to start the process right then and there.”
Thibault-Britt advocates community support and for people to refrain from making judgments.”We’re all impacted by those with mental health challenges. We all know somebody. It can be family members, co-workers, your neighbors.”
Because mental illness can cause isolation, human interaction that might include building a relationship, bringing the individual for a ride, taking them to their first appointment at CSO, spending time together over a cup of coffee, or just listening can help boost their confidence and self-esteem. “It’s about getting to know that whole person — they have so much to offer,” she said.
Thibault-Britt started as a mental health worker in 1985. She recounted a story about how she smiled at a woman who told her no one had smiled at her before and because of that continued to see Thibault-Britt.
“It’s okay to say ‘I have a mental health challenge and I need help,’” Thibault-Britt said. “The sooner someone receives support, the sooner their recovery process begins.”
CSO, which has programs in western and central Massachusetts, is a one-stop agency offering behavioral health services, internal referrals, and collaborations with partners. Five major services are available at CSO, including emergency and acute care, outpatient mental health and substance abuse, housing and homeless, community-based family support service, and the two clubhouses.
“We’re a trauma-informed agency dedicated to the values of trauma-informed care,” including such as safety, choice, trustworthiness, collaboration, and empowerment, Thibault-Britt said.
For those who aren’t ready to seek help in person, or if someone has been having a rough day and needs someone to talk to, the CSO Crisis Intervention program provides behavioral health assessment, intervention and stabilization for youth, families and adults, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Crisis services are available to anyone, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Crisis services are a preferred alternative to hospital emergency departments when there is no urgent medical condition or immediate safety concern. The Community Crisis Stabilization service provides individuals a short-term residential stay as an alternative to inpatient care.
The CSO crisis number is 978-249-9490, or 800-562-0112.
CSO is located at Athol Hospital, 2033 Main St., Suite 2.