Rural America Initiatives-Access to Mental Health Counseling
It is necessary that the identity of people who participate in mental health counseling are kept anonymous. We provide mental health sessions – mainly education on addiction and codependency, setting boundaries, and abusive relationships – to our entire staff at all-staff meetings every month for 9 months. Our Ateyapi staff, in two groups per month for 9 months, meet with the mental health counselor to explore professional ways to preserve mental health. Our counselor is on retainer to help any staff at any time, and she is on site 2 days per week. Of those she sees on-site, 3 women have left abusive relationships. 2 women have chosen to address depression and anxiety issues with recommended medical professionals and their professional skills are vastly improved as per their supportive supervisor, 4 women have accomplished their CDA requirements and have been promoted to Lead Teachers. One woman left an abusive relationship of several years and is working on grief issues regarding loss of an infant, she is one of the 4 who has accomplished CDA and been promoted. one person let go of substance use, addressed childhood trauma and numerous loss and is finding relief from years of depression. Her words…..I can’t change anyone but myself.