The Mental Health Association in Forsyth County

Consumer support is composed of 11 programs. (1)hospital outreach program: volunteers and staff provide information and resource assistance to patients and their families at local hospitals and at Mental Health facilities about community support services information prior to their discharge. The Association responds to special requests from hospital psychiatric staff as needed. (2) mood disorders support: tides is a support group for people with mood disorders including clinical depression, bi- polar disorder or other mood disorders. Support groups meet four times a month to share information, resource assistance and to develop self- advocacy skills. (3) anxiety disorders: this support group is for people with panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Support groups meet twice a month to help participants learn coping skills and up-to-date information about anxiety disorders, treatments and medication. (4) psychotic disorders: this support group is for adults with psychotic disorders, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. Support groups meet twice a month to help participants learn coping skills and up-to-date information about psychotic disorders, treatments and medication. (5) dual diagnosis: this support group is open to anyone who is dually diagnosed with Mental illness and substance abuse, or any other addictive disorder, or believes that they fit this diagnosis. (6) speak out adolescent support: this support group is for teens ages 13 -17 who have Mental Health issues such as, but not limited to The following: clinical depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, add and/or adhd. Support groups meet every first, third and fifth monday evenings each month at best Health in hanes mall. (7) speaker meetings: Mental Health speaker, educational meetings are devoted solely to The fifth tuesdays and/or fifth fridays in a given month. Speaker topics vary and have included: stress and change, nutrition, smoking cessation and updates on specific Mental disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and borderline personality disorder. Topics are chosen from feedback from support group participants and others. (8) eating disorders: this support group is for adults with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or other associated eating disorders. Support groups meet twice a month to help participants learn coping skills and up-to-date information about eating disorders, treatments and medication. (9) operation santa claus: gifts, special holiday activities, and, when needed, year-round assistance are provided to Forsyth County Mental Health patients (children and adults) at local facilities and at central regional hospital in butner, The o'berry center in goldsboro and any other state psychiatric facility during december. Community agencies, local businesses and civic groups donate their time, money and gifts to make The holidays special for our County's Mental Health patients. (10) representative payee services: through referrals, this program benefits people with severe Mental illness who receive social security disability and/or supplementary security income or other entitlements, such as railroad retirement, va benefits and cannot manage their own funds. The Association becomes The client's payee by setting up a budget for each client and managing his or her funds to pay his or her rent, utilities, medications, food and other basic necessities. (11) clubhouse fund: this program raises funds for triumph's "clubhouse" project members. These funds are restricted for extracurricular activities that are not a normal part of The clubhouse curriculum. The Association receives contributions from outside donors in addition to The funds actually raised by The participants. The Mental Health Association manages these funds and disburses them upon request.

Community education is composed of 6 programs. (1) information and referral: this agency provides information/referral services to callers, e-mail inquiries, and walk-in visitors as well as to area professionals on various topics such as, but not limited to: specific Mental Health disorders, community Mental Health services, medication information, community support programs and/or substance abuse services. The Association maintains a database of over 200 local Mental Health providers for those interested in seeing a provider in The private or public sectors and provides referrals based on a person's Mental Health and/or financial needs. (2) resource center: The Association has a library for The public containing "fact sheets", books, educational pamphlets, medication assistance, articles, videos and tapes about Mental illness and other related topics. (3) speakers bureau: staff provides educational programs on Mental Health topics to businesses, clubs, schools and churches in Forsyth and surrounding counties. Topics include: "Mental Health 101", coping with holiday stress, seasonal affective disorder, depression and anxiety disorders and suicide awareness. (4) Mental Health and Mental illness awareness campaigns: promotional campaigns are held twice a year to spread awareness, understanding heighten sensitivity and work to reduce The stigma associated with Mental illness. Services include: depression and anxiety screenings, radio and television interviews and panel discussions. The Association sponsors free seminars and public meetings on various Mental Health and related topics, such as future planning: life plan trust. (5) systems advocacy: The Association continually advocates on The local, state and national levels to governmental and legislative bodies in order improve, advocate and expand Mental Health and related services. (6) primary care physician outreach: a Mental Health awareness and outreach initiative targeting local primary care physicians, pediatricians and ob/gyns and their staffs about The Association's programs and services and how they can link their patients to specialty Mental Health care, when needed. This program began with start-up funding from The winston-salem foundation.

Family support is composed of 3 programs. (1) court assistance program: every week trained volunteers and staff provide emotional support, technical assistance and information and referrals to family members and outpatients during judicial hospital hearings at The Forsyth hall of justice. The Association monitors The outcomes of The weekly hearings, tabulates The outcomes in a database and reports paperwork or other clerical errors to appropriate hospital or provider staff. (2) family / consumer advocacy and outreach: The Association provides free individual and family advocacy services, resource assistance and service coordination. The Association works directly with children and adults with Mental Health needs, their families, friends and service providers to ensure that they live full and productive lives. The Association is involved in collaboratives such as "crisis intervention team" trainings to law enforcement personnel and The Association is active in a triad coalition designed to address The growing dilemma of suicides in our region through education and prevention. (3) triad friends & family: this support group is for families and friends that have loved ones with an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Led by a licensed Mental Health professional, triad friends & family meet monthly at The Association's office to help participants gain a better understanding of having a loved one with an eating disorder and to develop better, more appropriate coping skills.