Programs in the area assist with mental health awareness

January was Mental Wellness Awareness Month and one program in Yoakum that folks may not know about specializes in making sure that people who are struggling can get the care they need.

New Horizons is located within the Yoakum Community Hospital and is an outpatient counseling program which specializes in individual, family, and group sessions. They work with those who are struggling from trauma, grief, anger management, and helping those in mental distress.

“New Horizons is a small setting where patients can have that confidentiality and trust and also have accountability in other members,” New Horizons administrator Stephanie Lerch said. “I like to say that we are the best kept secret in town because confidentiality is the most important piece. Being in a small town, no one wants their secrets out. That’s what’s so special about us, which is the professionalism and the ability for patients to feel comfortable in this environment.”

Lerch said this program is special in that most mental health services are in bigger cities. New Horizons, however, serves those from all over Lavaca and DeWitt County and is the only in person counseling program in the area

“Trauma is something that we deal with, and you’d think in a small town, people wouldn’t have bad things happen to them,” Lerch said. “But unfortunately, trauma is all around us. We service those who have gone through abuse and neglect. The abuse can range from verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. Any violence associated with trauma, we’re here to help with that.”

Counseling is vital in those kinds of situations and New Horizons is there to help.

“So just like other health conditions require medication and lifestyle changes, it’s the same with mental health,” Lerch said. “When we hear about mental health, we think of some crazy person, but mental health is actually a part of what everyone of us has. We have physical health, emotional health, and spiritual health. All of those pieces join together to make our whole wellness. We’re all going to have ups and downs in our life. Counseling is a piece of the puzzle which helps expedite wellness.”

Another service New Horizons caters to are veterans who may struggle with PTSD.

“My specialty is trauma and anxiety disorders, but I also help with veterans,” New Horizons Therapist Traci Kaiser said. “One thing that is common with veterans is that talking about their experiences can be really difficult for them. Anytime you’re dealing with trauma, there can be a lot of guilt and shame. As a veteran, when you’re talking to another veteran, you can say certain things and imply things are understood.”

“For example, when you say I went through certain training, or I deployed to this certain area, you know the other person understands what that’s like and you don’t have to explain the nuances of it. This can make it easier for a patient to connect the dots because you’ve been there and you know what to do.”

New Horizons wants those who are struggling with seasonal affective depression during this time to know that there is help.

“We take a holistic approach with our clients here,” Kaiser said. “So, when you’re dealing with behavioral health, it’s not just how you think or how you feel. Rather, you have to really take a look at how much you are sleeping, what your diet is like, what your activity is like. It’s very common during the holidays for people to suffer the winter blues; there’s not enough sunshine. So, even just basic things like getting outside and getting sunshine early in the morning can be great. Promoting some kind of physical activity can help with those stuck in a certain train of thought or in a rut. Also, laying off the bad things we like to eat like processed foods or lowering alcohol intake can help as well.”

New Horizons services are covered by insurance, and they also have a patient financial assistance program people can apply to. Recently, they received a grant for Lavaca County residents given by the Dickson-Allen Foundation in Hallettsville.

“Having access to a program like ours in our community is pretty precious,” Lerch said. “You don’t see many programs like this in rural America. Th e professionals we have are pretty phenomenal.”

Other programs in the area assisting in the well-being of others include the Red Door Fund for Mental Health. It is a program of the Fayette Community Foundation.

The Red Door Fund is spreading mental health awareness and support in rural areas. They have inspired over 60,000 individuals.

Individuals and businesses can actively participate in this program by decorating their doors red this February. This act symbolizes their commitment to mental health advocacy.

“We want to encourage everyone to join our mission and be a part of this positive change in mental health awareness,” Red Door Fund Chairman Cheryl Pekar said.

The Red Door Fund has secured a generous $25,000 matching donation. With the community’s support, the goal for them is to raise an additional $25,000, resulting in a total investment of $50,000 to further mental health awareness and services in the region.

Donations to the Red Door Fund not only contributes to meeting the matching donation, it also directly supports local individuals and families struggling with mental illness.

Those wanting to contribute to this fund can do so at www.faycofoundation.com/rdf or mail donations to P.O. Box 664, La Grange, TX.

Both of these programs aim to break the stigma of mental health and ask those in need to not be ashamed in seeking out help.