Wednesday, March 16
- 5:30 - 6:30
- Owen Library
While the conversation continues as to how we can be open to ways our parish might help with the crisis in our mental health delivery system, three very tangible ideas have emerged where we might make a difference. Please contact Jacque, Millie or Pam for further information.
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Care Provider Support Group
For clinicians, therapists, mental health workers. Contact Jacque Combs (combscalhoun@aol.com, 891-2953). -
Family Support Group
Contact Millie Elmore (millie587@charter.net, 274-5435). -
Resource Guide
Help to develop a guide to mental health resources in our area and locate in a place easily accessible to parishoners. Contact Pam Penland (pkpenland@gmail.com, 259-3369).
Many thanks for your support of this emerging ministry. See you in March!
We will also keep you informed about The Coalition Meeting coming to Asheville on April 7.
The Coalition Announces Town Hall Meetings to Highlight Service Losses in North Carolina
Raleigh, NC. The Coalition, a statewide group of 40 organizations and their members advocating in partnership to meet the needs of North Carolinians living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or the disease of addiction, has announced a series of town hall meetings in March and April. The purpose is to call attention to the devastating effect the loss of state funding is having on individuals and families receiving or seeking services, organizations that provide services to people with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, or mental illness, and North Carolinians who are employed by those who provide these services.
These listening sessions will occur in Asheville, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Tad Clodfelter, Chair of The Coalition, stated that “Too often the voices of those with substance use disorders, mental illness, and developmental disabilities are forgotten in the state budget debate. These town hall meetings are an opportunity for people across North Carolina to tell their stories about how services have led to their recovery or made their lives livable and how budget cuts are hurting them and our state.”
The first Town Hall meetings will take place on March 17 in Charlotte and Raleigh, with subsequent meetings on March 24 in Fayetteville, March 31 in Greenville and Wilmington, and April 7 in Asheville and Winston-Salem. All meetings will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:00 and the program starting at 6:30. Participants will hear a briefing on the current budget cuts and the future budget outlook, have an opportunity to share their opinions in person, in writing or online and get updated information on how to make a difference on these issues. The Coalition encourages anyone affected by the budget cuts or concerned about future cuts to MHDDSA services to attend these Town Halls.
A full list of Town Hall meeting dates and sites and additional information on The Coalition can be found on the organization’s website at www.thecoalitionnc.org.