Mental Health

Name of Committee:   HSC2020 Mental Health Committee

Chair Persons:   

Beverly Randall, MS, Mental Health America, 920-458-3951                   

Patricia K. Damon, Health and Human Services, 920-459-3220

Active Committee Members:  Rachel Gretebeck, BridgePoint Health; Celia Holte, DHHS;  Kathleen Manny, Aging and Disability Resource Center; Angela Wessels, Mental Health America; Karen Degner, Military Families Connect; Carla Vorpahl, Sheboygan Area School District; Sue Grasse; Sue Thiel, Division of Public Health; Patty Damon, Division of Community Programs; Ray Wolf, Plymouth School District; Beverly Randall, Mental Health America; James Lammers, Mobile Crisis Counseling; Cindy Geldreich, Turning Point; Mary Paluchniak, St. Nicholas Hospital; Jonathan Tyler, Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center.

Meeting Date and Time:   Meetings are held at 8 a.m. on the 3rd Monday of the month in the community meeting room of the United Way building, 2020 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan.

Accomplishments: 

• Coordination of the Loss and Trauma Response Team which is available to Sheboygan County schools.
• Distribution of suicide prevention tri-folds.
• Distribution of suicide prevention posters which include the county's 24-hour mental health crisis number.
• Supports screenings for mental disorders. 
• Educational programs on depression, suicide prevention, and other mental health topics for students and adults.
• Annual compilation of the county's suicide statistics.
• Dissemination of print materials related to mental health, mental illness and suicide prevention.
• Educational programs for targeted audiences including clergy and family physicians.
• Posting of a billboard that provides the number of the Sheboygan County mental health crisis line.
• Supports the annual There Is Hope walk for suicide awareness and prevention.

Committee Goals: 

• To raise awareness about the importance limiting access to lethal means of self-harm by educating individuals about gun safety and the safe disposal of medications.
• To create awareness through educational programs that depression is a treatable medical condition.
• To increase use of the Sheboygan County mental health crisis line by creating awareness of this resource. 

Brief History/Overview: A Suicide Prevention Committee existed in Sheboygan County during the 1980's. In 1993, the group became associated with the Healthy Sheboygan County initiative.  The name has since been changed to HSC2020 Mental Health Committee. 

Additional Items:   

• New committee members are always welcome.
• Speakers are available for church groups, service organizations, and other community groups.
• Free suicide prevention materials are available for distribution. Contact Mental Health America at 458-3951.
  

There Is Hope, 7th Annual Walk for Suicide Awareness and Prevention, will be held August 18, 2012. The opening ceremony will feature Billie Kubly who was instrumental in founding the Charles E. Kubly Foundation based in Milwaukee.

For more information, visit http://mhasheboygan.org/ThereisHope.aspx