Mental Health Center acts on new findings
Programs available for children and adolescents

Jennifer Schlienger (L) and Carol Poole (R) sit in a room at the mental health center, enjoying some of the toys used to make children feel comfortable when visiting the Hospital Street facility.

Raising kids is more complicated than June and Ward Cleaver let on.

Family life isn't always as upbeat as the Brady Bunch acted either.

For many of us, the reality is that our family is living paycheck to paycheck. We're too busy and too stressed. We're worried. We're tired. We often snap at each other and our children. We want our kids to do well in school and to grow up right. But, let's face it, we're doing the best we can … And, we're only human.

Welcome to modern-day families. Where parenting can be challenging and growing up can be difficult. Growing up can be lonesome. And, growing up can be scary … especially if your child has a mental health need that isn't being met.

Studies show that is often the case. One out of every five children and adolescents has a mental disorder. One in 10 has a serious emotional disturbance. Nearly one in 10 teenagers experienced major depression in 2005 and fewer than half were treated, according to a study released from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.

These new findings should serve as a wake-up call. Like adults, both children and

adolescents can have mental disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel and act. But prevention and early intervention of mental health disorders can minimize consequences for children and their families, as well as costs to society.

"I have seen first hand how the lives of troubled youth can be turned around with the appropriate help," said Carol Poole, a licensed clinical social worker at Union County Mental Health at 41 Hospital Street. "And, I've seen too many times what can happen to the distraught child or adolescent who doesn't receive help - sometimes school failure, drug abuse, family problems and a host of other issues."

Trained clinicians at the mental health center provide treatment for children, adolescents and families affected by a mental illness, severe emotional disorder or substance abuse.

Poole and her coworkers who serve youth throughout Towns and Union - Jennifer Schlienger, Janie McConnell, Margie Winkler and Linda Garver - are passionate about supporting area youth and families.

They provide on-site services in various local public schools and also Crossroads alternative school and Head Start. They seek ways to help children and adolescents in their normal daily settings.

Staff run a Family Empowerment Group two times a month to provide support and communication tools to families in which both the parents and children use the mental health center's services.

Also, in the works: an innovative after-school program for youth dealing with drug or alcohol abuse.

The center's mental health services include diagnostic assessment; individual, family and group counseling; brief therapy; psychiatric and nursing care; and referrals to other services.

"Here, we look at the whole person," said Poole. "We have a range of staff expertise - from licensed professional counselors to paraprofessionals to a psychiatrist to a physician's assistant - available to treat a variety of needs related to addiction or mental illness."

The funding for those public services comes from fees paid by clients and family members, private insurance policies, Medicaid, Medicare, PeachCare and other federal, state and county funds.

Some individuals who do not have any coverage may qualify for a reduced rate by supplying information such as pay stubs to substantiate their financial situation.

Based on an individual's household gross income and family size, some clients may pay only a percentage of their fee - sometimes ranging anywhere from $5 to $20. (Funds from the Georgia Department of Human Resources cover the remaining amount.)

The center is the local branch of Georgia Mountains Community Services, a public organization serving 13 area counties.

"If we can just help one person - help a youth find his way out of depression, help a child deal with seemingly uncontrollable behavior, help a family stay together - then it's all worth it," said Carol Perkins, the Services Director for Georgia Mountains. "That is what we're here for."

For more information, call the Union County Mental Health Center at 745-5911.

Quick Facts for adjacent box, if needed:

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing.

The most serious and disabling mental disorders affect five to ten million adults and three to five million children in the United States, according to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Addictive diseases are progressive illnesses, prone to relapse, that can affect every aspect of a person's life.