 
|
|||||||||||||
              
|
Coffeehouse helps struggle with addiction, mental illness
Monday, April 05, 1999 By Jean Bryant, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
In 1974, Sandra Bey had to seek psychiatric treatment at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic after she suffered what she terms "a major crisis."
Today, following therapy and support from an Oakland agency affiliated with Western Psych that aids people like Bey, she has become an advocate for others struggling with mental illness or drug addiction.
In 1988, Western Psych referred Bey to People's Oakland. There she could receive the benefit of social and educational programs designed to help those struggling with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression.
People's Oakland, established in 1971, is a private, nonprofit agency with a stated mission to "respond to the changing social, economic, vocational, intellectual, physical and spiritual needs of the mental health consumer." All of its clients are referred by Western Psych. The Coffeehouse, located on Oakland Avenue, is an extension of People's Oakland's social programming and focuses on those who have a dual diagnosis - mental illness and substance abuse. It opened in 1992.
Bey attended lectures and meetings teaching self-reliance, self-help and collaborative relationships with professionals. And with the help of staffers at People's Oakland, Bey progressed so well she began to take an active role in helping others like herself.
"They took me under their wings and helped me cultivate my skills," said Bey, now 52.
For example, Wilma Sirmons, supervisor of social rehabilitation, enlisted Bey's help in developing a support group for women at People's Oakland Coffeehouse.
Bey also helped organize a community-support program to educate people about mental illness and to advocate for better services for mental health consumers.
By helping others, Bey learned to cope better with her own illness.
Maureen Cook, executive director at People's Oakland, said the Coffeehouse program was developed when mental health experts became aware of an increase in drug and alcohol abuse among mental health consumers.
With the closing of Woodville State Hospital, monies became available for community programs that focused on rehabilitation for mental health clients, Cook said.
"So what we developed was the Coffeehouse, the only program that focuses on the dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse," explained Cook.
About $130,000 of People's Oakland's $1 million annual budget is targeted for the Coffeehouse program. That money is provided by Allegheny County United Systems through Western Psych.
Coffeehouse offers its clients peer support, living skills classes, community outings, mental health education, individualized rehabilitative goal planning, drug and alcohol recovery meetings, and counseling.
Also provided are self-awareness classes, cooking classes, relapse prevention meetings and healthy living lectures.
"We do it all, except we don't do medical treatment," said Cook. "Our program keeps people safe, sane and sober."
Percy Jackson Jr., 38, can attest to that.
Jackson, a former U.S. Marine, said during military duty in the Grenada skirmish in 1983 he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Later, in 1988, he began using drugs and sought treatment at Western Psych. The institute referred Jackson to People's Oakland about 10 years ago.
Jackson said he's been sober six years, and staffers at Coffeehouse helped him with his personal and medical problems by using a treatment team approach. That method entails working with therapists and psychiatrists at Western Psych.
Coffeehouse staffers also involved Jackson in organizational matters, allowing him to work on the agency's hiring committee and advisory boards.
Jackson now takes cooking classes, signs up for educational conventions, sings with the People's Oakland choir and attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings, as well. "Once I became dedicated to helping myself, I really got involved, things fell into place and I've been successful in staying away from drugs."
But the Coffeehouse program also serves those who don't have an addiction, like Alberto Rush.
Rush was under treatment for a mental illness that manifested itself in aggressive and dangerous behavior. Family and friends shied away from Rush, leaving him isolated, alone.
A year ago, doctors at Western Psych referred Rush to the Coffeehouse program, where he found empathy and understanding. There, he was able to elude the stigma of mental illness.
"I needed a place to come to where I was safe and could interact with others instead of being isolated," says Rush, 38, an Oakland resident.
He says mental health education, living skills classes and individualized rehabilitative goal planning helped him control his emotions and become productive.
As Bey looks back, she credits People's Oakland and the Coffeehouse program with giving her hope and responsibility. She now has her own office there and has worked with People's Oakland Empowerment Program, a crisis intervention service.
"I traveled all over the country speaking about my experience, how I coped, the financial problems, housing, the stigma of it," she said. "I've become an advocate and I've been well 15 years, though I'm still on medication and still in therapy.
"It's a caring family, a user-friendly program to all people where needs are assessed and met and counselors help us maintain our dignity. They don't look down on us. There is nothing here but love, productiveness and positivity. That's why I love it."
|
||||||||||||
