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Monthly Newsletter for The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties |
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Edition: October 2009 |
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FREE DEPRESSION SCREENING The Counseling Center will be offering free Depression Screening at the Wayne County public library on October 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Screening is available on a drop in basis and no appointments are needed. Information about local resources will be available. |
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SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH LEVY A levy for the support of local mental health services will appear on the November 3 ballot in both Wayne and Holmes Counties. One in five persons will experience a diagnosable mental illness in any one year. Collectively these disorders account for approximately15% of the overall cost of disease and are the second leading cause of disability and premature mortality. But, treatment works and people can recover when they have access to appropriate care. Unfortunately, treatment is not always available. Locally, funding for community mental health services in Wayne and Holmes counties has been reduced by $2 million dollars during the last two years. The local Mental Health and Recovery Board reports that 950 persons have lost counseling services and 5,000 have lost access to prevention services. Day treatment programs, job services, jail programs and educational programs have all been cut. At the Counseling Center, we have eliminated 18 positions, reduced the hours in several other positions, put staff on temporary furlough and totally closed three service programs – partial hospitalization, social/recreational services and employment services. Demand, however, continues to grow with over 250 people currently waiting for the various services offered by the Center. Without the levy dollars, your neighbors, friends and family will be unable to access care when it is needed without extensive and sometimes life-threatening delays. Support the Mental Health Levy on November 3. Mental Health Matters! |
