Cultivating Positive Relationships and Removing Barriers of Mental Health Treatment
Cultivating Positive Relationships 007: with Joe Blewett, CEO at Family & Children’s Services of Mid-Michigan
As a community, region and society we have come a long way in overcoming the stigma related to mental health. This is in large part thanks to more people reaching out to their support groups and being willing to ask for help. And while progress of acceptance and understanding grows, we still have a long way to go. Along with cultivating positive relationships there are resources available to the region to help overcome the obstacles of mental health. One of these resources is Family & Children’s Services of Mid-Michigan (FCS). FCS provides mental health counseling services, education and support. The vision of this non-profit is for everyone to feel welcome to come as they are and leave as they would like to be.
Mental illness does not discriminate. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2023), one in five U.S adults live with mental illness. This includes all demographics, socioeconomic statuses and those from all geographic locations. This 20 percent of the population almost certainly includes someone’s friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member. Unlike decades past, more people are seeking mental health treatment, services and support. Nearly 58 million, or 47 percent, of people with any mental illness sought treatment in 2021 (NIMH, 2023). While this is an improvement from decades past, there is still room to do better. This is less than half of those impacted – not nearly enough. Helping increase the number of those seeking mental health treatment is making services accessible, available and affordable. Therefore, FCS works diligently to remove barriers. These barriers include transportation, lack of insurance, and no access to a professional provider just to name a few. As we overcome these barriers we have the opportunity to self-improve. These improvements include being more accepting, being reliable and communicating openly.
This increased access to mental health care enables people to maintain healthy relationships. Along with counseling support, people learn to talk and listen, put in the work and let go of control. Other benefits include increased communication skills, decreased anxiety and depression symptoms and overall improved quality of life.
Family & Children’s Services provides services and treatments with issues related to:
Substance Abuse Disorder
Crisis services
Mood disorders
LGBTQIA+
Family Matters
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
Trauma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Assuredly, society will continue to destigmatize mental health and treatment will become increasingly more accessible. This also means people will continue to build healthy relationships and connect more with one another. Through putting in the work and connecting with one another, we will all develop more empathy, trust more and give one another more of our time. If you, or someone you know, can benefit from Family & Children’s Services please email info@fcs-midland.org or call 989-631-5390.
References
Miller, K. January 14, 2020. 27 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Counseling. PositivePsychology.com.
https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-counseling
National Institute of Mental Health. 2023. Mental Health Information.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?