Most of us know some one who has been touched by mental illness be it a friend, family member or ourselves. The terms manic depressive or bipolar have become as popular as a cold or the flu. Sadly the latter two do go away and but there are no cures for the other. In most cases a careful mix of medications or even one pill can level someone out to the point of being able to function in the community, hold a job and deal with everyday living. But what about the ones who are severely suffering from a mental illness where no medication cocktail gets them to that functioning point or those with mental retardation? Those who are very close to someone with mental illness usually have no idea where to begin looking for help and it appears that no one volunteers answers unless the right questions are asked.
For over thirty years I have worked with the mentally and emotionally challenged. I have worked in state schools, state hospitals and rehab centers and the past 14 years my husband and I have run our own group home. During these 14 years we have seen a variety of mental syndromes and managed people with illnesses many have only seen in the movies. People afraid of certain colors or foods, people afraid something bad will happen to someone they care about if they stop walking or adults with the minds of 4 year olds. There are people who talk to little fairies that sit on their shoulder, people so depressed they can’t function or on the other side of the scale so manic they can’t slow down. People who see or hear bazaar things in their minds and can not be convinced it is not real. Most have lost contact with their families or their families have given up on them and turned their backs leaving them to wander the streets until by chance they are lucky enough to be arrested and committed. I said lucky because at least then they have food and a safe warm bed until they are forced out on the streets again. There is nowhere else for them to go. Group Homes can only hold a certain number of people and there are not nearly enough of them."
The home my husband and I run is a licensed group home in Athens, Texas and we deal very closely with the local Mental Health & Mental Retardation Center (MHMR). Most of our clients come straight from the mental institutions and over half are not totally ready to be released when they are. The reason they are released is due to lack of bed space and/or funding. The ones who are released with no specific designation are dropped off at the nearest Salvation Army. Those who have homes and are lucky enough to get back out on their own will do so only to end up going back in because they either can’t buy their medication, because Medicaid only allows 3 medications a month, or just don’t bother to buy them because they feel fine at the moment. Some are lucky enough to find placement in group homes such as ours where there is a supervised setting and all is monitored and worked out for them... Our goal is to Allow our clients to function in the community within their “abilities”. Many stay with us for years; some after training get their own apartments and do well but some do not and eventually return.
In our home we monitor medication, behavior and make sure they get to the appropriate doctors. We furnish all meals, laundry, transportation, help with everyday living skills where needed and provide 24 hour supervision. We are funded according to the client’s ability to pay and minimal state funding. The qualifying client is given an allowance fromt he state for personal spending. We are licensed for an occupancy of 4 clients. Sadly due to the state freeze on funding this program our income has been cut in half but the costs of running the group home continue to accumulate. The majority of our clients come to us with no income at first and when the state is paying their part it isn’t a problem but with the funding freeze in effect and no thaw in sight, it is very difficult to accept many candidates in need who are waiting for their disability. We need income to care for these people, and keep our home and van in good repair. The financial responsibility never ends even when the state funding does. The other catch is that the state will only help fund people with certain needs. If a person doesn’t meet the state criteria, the state will not help fund them. We must rely on outside help and donations. I often find myself wondering how much longer I can keep my home going and even more so what will happen to my clients if I am forced to close it.
To make a contribution, please click here or contact Jacki Collier by calling (903) 887-6188.
To read more about Texas Mental Health Funding visit: http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=6491
Thank you for your heartfelt consideration and generous support! CTM
