Medical center to offer mental illness series
WAYNESBURG – Southwest Regional Medical Center and Greene County Human Services will offer a series for the families of individuals coping with mental illness. The Mental Health Recovery Family Program is a six-week series that will help families better understand their role in the recovery of a loved one, answer questions and provide useful information.
Jonathan S. Johnson, LCSW, the center’s assistant director of behavioral health, will facilitate the meetings. The first course begins Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and courses will continue for the following five Wednesdays.
“There is hope and possibility for individuals suffering with the obstacles of mental illness,” said Johnson. “These sessions will focus on improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from mental illness and their families.”
The series will focus on several aspects of recovery including:
n Exploring the different diagnoses and the most effective treatments
n Identifying reasonable expectations for individuals suffering from mental illness, family members, therapists, physicians and case workers
n Explaining the fundamentals of the Mental Health Recovery Philosophy and how it can be applied to daily living
n Addressing the grieving process that is associated with having loved ones diagnosed with a mental illness
n Discussing the most effective treatments for mental illness
The Mental Health Recovery Family Program is free, and anyone is welcome to participate. SRMC’s outpatient behavioral health services are available to anyone in Greene County over the age of 18.
Southwest Regional Medical Center’s outpatient behavioral health program deals with all types of mental illnesses, assists in medication management and offers outpatient group psychotherapy five times a week for individuals 18 years of age and older.
According to Johnson, the groups help to empower people to take responsibility for their own mental health and recovery from mental illness.
For more information, contact Johnson at 724-627-2755.