The Observation Deck

Mental Health: Breaking Barriers

The Lakewood Family Collaborative invites the community to learn what mental health support systems are available in Lakewood by attending its May meeting. On Thursday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at the Lakewood Park Women’s Pavilion, a panel of experts, including mental health practitioners and the family of someone with a mental health diagnosis will be answering questions on a range of issues of interest to those outside the social services and mental health professions. Panelists include representatives from Recovery Resources, Applewood Centers, Lakewood Teen Health Center, Guidestone, and Lakewood City Council. The meeting, titled Mental Health: Breaking Barriers, is planned in response to the past few years’ cuts in Lakewood’s Health and Human Services Department budget. The group offers an opportunity for citizens to come together to help close the gaps left by these cuts. Lakewood Family Collaborative Vice Chair Kristine Pagsuyoin says the meeting is “about grassroots efforts so that we can help our neighbors and strengthen our community.” Bruce Chamberlin, chair of the volunteer organization, adds “it’s everyone's responsibility to be a good neighbor, friend and supporter to all we come across in a given day. Sometimes those with mental health issues feel isolated and ostracized, and it doesn't have to be that way.”

Panelists have been asked to evaluate Lakewood’s support systems available to the public, discuss potential grassroots efforts of support, explain where loved ones of those mentally ill may turn for help, and suggest how individuals may help to those struggling with a diagnosis. Also, the panel plans to discuss best practices in working with those with mental illnesses for community services professionals. Chamberlin says the meeting is titled Mental Health: Breaking Barriers because someone struggling with a mental health diagnosis finds barriers in his daily life, from how he’s viewed by the public to accessing treatment. “The Lakewood Collaborative wants to have a positive impact on the people of Lakewood who work with, are related to, or are friends or acquaintances with those with mental health issues,” Chamberlin says.

This presentation is part of the Lakewood Family Collaborative’s ongoing Spotlight series occurring the fourth Thursday of every month at the Women’s Pavilion from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public, these informative networking events are geared toward area agency and organization professionals, as well as businesses and residents, concerned with the success of Lakewood families.

I think this is a fantastic idea. The psychology program at my college has been making a push for grassroots awareness movements like this. They champion it in all their classes. Nice to see that it is making its way to Lakewood.

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I'm reading about myself sitting in a laundromat, reading about myself sitting in a laundromat, reading about myself...my head hurts.

Would LOVE to attend ... but in the middle of a work day!! Any chance of this being offer again in the evening or on a weekend?

Will bet that this is going to be a good forum and worth attending.
Awareness might sound so basic, maybe it is just a bit more elusive.

Thank you to the Lakewood Family Collaborative for this very informative program.

I learned so much about the resources available in our community and the challenges they face.

I was moved by the personal stories of triumph and tragedy shared by the panel.

My biggest "take aways" were learning about the availability of Mental Health First Aid Training through Recovery Resources and the need for increased awareness & compassion in our community.

From the professionals: "The next time you come across a stranger/neighbor talking to themselves, ask them if they are OK."

Dial 211 for a directory of County Health & Human Service Agencies.

I ditto Meg's thoughts on the panel discussion. It was very insightful.

I was particularly moved by the stories and challanges shared by Ken Lipka, Senior Manager Lakewood Community Services Center. As we found out, his job is far more than putting food on peoples tables. His job is very challanging and sounds as if it will continue to be so. How fortunate we are as a community to have dedicated professionals like Ken, who goes far and above and beyond his job description to meet the needs of the clients who walk through the doors of the Lakewood Community Services Center on a daily basis.

Something I wanted to ask, and perhaps Monique Smith, who was the City Council Representative on the panel can help find the answer, is:

"How are our police trained in regards to dealing with calls involving situations with people involving mental health issues?"

Like coaches and teachers who are required to take CPR and First Aid Classes, do our Police officers to take the Mental Health First Aid Training Class offered through Recovery Resources or another such type of class?

I totally agree that the need for increased awareness & compassion in our community is very important.

Kudos to The Lakewood Family Collaborative for once again stepping up to the plate and opening up a very important discussion.

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Stephanie Toole
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrafice the gift." PRE

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the positive feedback and questions. This was the first panel discussion that the Collab organized, and overall, it went very well thanks to everyone who was in attendance including; Mayor Mike Summers and Councilwoman Mary Louise Madigan. It is so appreciated, and reassuring, when our elected leaders take time from their day to listen to citizens regarding the issues affecting Lakewood.

Many members are so passionate about the Collab because it offers a platform in which any number of Lakewood groups can come together to solve common problems facing our shared community. When we are willing to talk to each other, whether it be about the schools or mental health issues, it doesn't take long for a spark to initiate action. The panel discussion was just the spark--many are already talking about what action can be taken with the information that was learned and when we can followup this discussion with another. I wanted to take a moment to address questions/comments. I may not have all of the answers, but I will be sure to pass this information on to members of the Collab that are knowledgeable on these issues.



Meg, thank you for posting this information. The Collab works hard to structure monthly meetings that are productive so that everyone who attends feels like their time has been spent well. We will let you know more about Mental Health First Aid and steps that the Collab takes with the information we learned at the panel discussion.


Stephanie,

Usually the ward officers are in attendance at the meetings. They have been really great members of the Collab and help keep us informed about the important role police play in these issues.

Councilwoman Monique Smith chairs the City of Lakewood Health and Human Services Committee while Tom Bullock and David Anderson are members. As you know, Councilwoman Smith participated on the panel. She was very committed to listening to the discussion and we are glad she could take time out of her work day to attend. I am sure any 3 of our councilpersons could answer your questions as I am not sure what training the police receive regarding mental health issues. These are great questions and important for an overall understanding of how we all can work together to handle the challenges that arise with the population of mentally ill in our community rising and being misunderstood or under-served.



Peter, the Collab meets during the day because many of our members consist of professionals who work county-wide that make it part of their work day to attend. Evenings are tough because that is when many meet with the families/kids they are trying to serve. You make a valid point;however, and we have discussed how we can make evening events work. The Collab will continue this discussion and try to include evening times in our next program year. Thanks, Peter.

The next Lakewood Family Collaborative Meeting and Picnic is Thursday, June 28th. The “Spotlight” speaker is Dale Miller. We will meet from 1pm-2:30pm at the Lakewood Women’s Pavilion at Lakewood Park. Collab meetings are open and everyone is welcome to attend.

Kristine Pagsuyoin