Category: Hamilton Center, Inc. News

The Infinity House, a Clubhouse program sponsored and supported by Hamilton Center Inc., has been awarded accreditation through Clubhouse International, by achieving fidelity to the International Standards for Clubhouse Programs.

Clubhouse International identifies mental illnesses as a leading cause of disability and that one in four people around the world suffer from mental disorders, more than cancer, diabetes or heart disease.

The organization also identifies isolation as a major cause of the progression of mental illnesses.

“Isolation often occurs when individuals feel they don’t fit in with society or are too afraid to face rejection and the many social stigmas of mental illness,” said BJ Steadman, Program Manager, Hamilton Center, Inc. “Individuals will stop connecting with friends, stay inside more frequently, and seek a safe controlled environment, often leading to loneliness and many other negative thoughts, including suicide.”

The Clubhouse model is an evidence-based practice that creates a peer driven environment for the members. It promotes socialization, engagement, and skill building which are areas that many individuals recovering from mental health issues lack in their lives. The only qualifications for being a member is being 18 years or older and having a history of mental health issues. There are no fees and a membership never expires.

“Infinity House exists to give adults with mental illnesses the opportunity to live meaningful and productive lives by helping each person integrate into their community,” said Melvin L Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, Inc. “Inclusion, regular activities and access to housing and employment are some of the key functions of a Clubhouse.” he added.

Every year, Infinity House hosts a Thanksgiving Day celebration and meal. Holiday hours for Thanksgiving Day are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., November 28, 2019 with Thanksgiving lunch served at 12:00 p.m. Hamilton Center invites those interested in becoming a member of Infinity House to join.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN.  Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

Hours of operation for the Infinity House are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with lunch served at noon every day.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Terre Haute, Indiana – The Sycamore Ridge Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is raising the spirits of needy families in the community by providing food for Thanksgiving dinners. Through the Turkey Hunters Care program, the Sycamore Ridge Chapter is providing two hundred (200) turkeys to families in the area to help complete the traditional Thanksgiving dinners. This has been possible through the assistance of the following community partners – Terre Haute Chevrolet, Central Indiana Asphalt, Roly Poly, Simms Painting Co., Inc., Cattail Hollow Farm, LLC, Premier Auto Source, Blackburn Collision, Case Building Solutions, Eric Slack and Lisa Gibson, The VanHook Family, Koch Farms, Friends of Koch Farms, Prairie Grove Hunting Preserve, Dr. Daniel Kellar, Andy and Brandi Sereno, Mike and Jan Sereno, Terry and Donna Horner, Kenny Bayless and Walmart.

Volunteers with the Sycamore Ridge Chapter are distributing one hundred (100) frozen domestic turkeys to the Hamilton Center and one hundred (100) to Manna from Seven, the equivalent of 2,000 meals this year. The turkeys were distributed to these organizations on November 22, 2019 to help ensure families in the area will have a Thanksgiving to remember. This brings the total number of birds donated to 1,715 since 2009. In those eleven years with the assistance of our partners we have provided an estimated fifteen to twenty thousand meals to those in need.

“Family is the focus for many during the holiday season. We can help less fortunate families enjoy time with each other by eliminating some of their worries,” said NWTF CEO Becky Humphries. “Turkey Hunters Care is a great way for the NWTF’s committed volunteers to help these families during some of the most celebrated holidays of the year. Our mission is one of service, and that service begins by showing how much we care for our communities.”

The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $372 million to conserve 2,572,802 acres of habitat for all types of wildlife and introducing 1,277,936 people to the outdoors since 2012.

To become a member of the NWTF or join the Sycamore Ridge Chapter, contact Cinda Inman at 765.744.5460 or Indcindy@gmail.com .

Celebration of 20 years of PAIR

On Friday November 22, 2019 Hamilton Center hosted a celebration of the Psychiatric Assertive Identification and Referral (PAIR) program, which has served the community for 20 years. PAIR is a Terre Haute City Court diversion program designed to address the needs of people with mental illness who have been charged with misdemeanors, or minor criminal offenses.

One of the first programs of its kind in Indiana, the Vigo County PAIR program started in late 1999 through a collaboration between Terre Haute City Court and the community mental health center, Hamilton Center, Inc. Key players in the creation of the program include Judge David Bolk, formerly of the Terre Haute City Court; former Prosecutor, now Judge Sarah Mullican, of the Circuit Court and Superior Court 3; Virgil Macke, LCSW, LCAC, therapist at Hamilton Center; and David Green, former Case Manager at Hamilton Center.

“It was important that we work to address the underlying mental health or substance abuse issues of those who were arrested due to those illnesses,” said Judge Bolk, formerly of the Terre Haute City Court. “Our goal was twofold – decrease the burden on the courts, jail, and budgets while helping people get the help they need to be successful in the community,” he added.

In the 20 years of PAIR, the program has served over 800 individuals and grown from serving groups as small as a just a few individuals to serving 65 participants last year, and an estimated 85 in 2019. Misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of one year, and with a 75 percent success rate the program allows individuals charged with a misdemeanor to opt into mental health treatment rather than serve jail time. Once treatment is completed, as prescribed by the courts, charges are dropped and records unaffected.

“The program works under the philosophy that that people who receive mental health services in lieu of incarceration, can achieve recovery and not reoffend,” said Judge Matthew Sheehan, currently of the Terre Haute City Court. “Ultimately we are working to decrease recidivism, burdens on the courts, and use of tax dollars,” he added.

Additionally, the program has acted as the foundation and spring-board for many other court problem solving and diversion programs including Adult Mental Health Court (similar to PAIR but for those with felonies), Drug Court, and Veteran’s Court.

“All of these problem solving courts are giving hundreds of individuals’ second chances to turn their lives around and be active and productive members of their communities,” said Melvin L. Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center.  “It is critical we give people second chances,” he added.

“I am appreciative to our criminal justice partners who understand that mental health issues need addressed, and that recovery is possible,” said Virgil Macke, therapist at Hamilton Center and PAIR Coordinator.  “It takes strong collaboration to be successful in a program like this,” he added.

“Enhancing Community, Enhancing Lives”

Terre Haute, IN- Hamilton Center hosted the annual Hamilton Awards Dinner Tuesday, October 22 at 5:30 pm in the Sycamore Banquet Center, on the campus of Indiana State University. The event featured a presentation from Gov. Eric Holcomb, whose 2019 Next Level Agenda includes plans to attack the drug epidemic, take care of the children and families, and increase workforces through early education with high school students.

2019 marks 48 years of Hamilton Center’s commitment to serving the community’s behavioral health and substance abuse needs. The theme of “Enhancing Lives, Enhancing Community” represents the life and work of Katherine Hamilton who fought for the inclusion, acceptance and support of those struggling with mental illness in the early 1960’s. In this spirit, Hamilton Center  recognized individuals and organizations of the community who have significantly contributed to the cause of mental health and addiction while furthering the mission of Hamilton Center, Inc. Nominees for Hamilton Awards were recognized in the categories of outstanding volunteer, community service, and Hamilton Center staff.

Hamilton Award, Hamilton Center Staff

Dana Guthrie – Nominated for her 33 years of service and unwavering dedication through years of change and evolution in the field of Mental Health. Ms. Guthrie began as a job coach in 1986 and worked her way up in the corporation to her current position of Director of Quality Improvement and Managed Care, where she exemplifies honesty and integrity in insuring Hamilton Center meets all standards of care.

Hamilton Award, Community Service

Parke County Drug Court – Nominated for their public service and commitment to the residents of Parke County struggling with addiction. The team that makes of this program includes the Parke County Circuit Court, the Parke County Probation, the Parke County Persecutor’s office and various other community members who come together to help participants restore their lives and often the lives of their families.

Hamilton Award, Outstanding Volunteer Service

Keshia Buskirk – Nominated for her work in creating a peer addictions group in Linton, IN, and for her service of others struggling with addiction. After a recovery journey of her own, Keshia completed training through the Indiana Counselor’s Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to become a peer counselor, and later went on to establish the “Peer 2 Peer” group that enlists peers to assist those struggling with addiction with navigating life’s obstacles when working toward recovery.

In addition to the Hamilton Awards, two individuals were recognized with the Frank W. Jerse awards. This award named in memory of Frank W. Jerse, is given to a community member who is a veteran or supported military families OR who has significantly contributed to the community.  Dr. Jerse served during World War II, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received a purple heart.  In addition, Dr. Jerse dedicated much of his career furthering post-secondary education at Indiana State University.  Lastly, he was a major contributor to the establishment of Hamilton Center.

This year, two individuals received Jerse Awards.  The first Jerse award went to a successful clinical psychologist and businessman, Shelvy Haywood Keglar. Dr. Keglar is a veteran, author, entrepreneur and founder of the Midwest Psychological Center in Indianapolis.

The second Jerse award went to Greg Gibson, of Terre Haute.  Gibson was recognized for his time, talent and financial contribution to the local community and the State of Indiana.  He is the President of Retech Corporation and has extensive experience in the development and operation of waste management in multi states.  Through various other appointments, he has championed many economic development projects throughout the State.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

22 Push up Challenge Brings Message Home

In 2016, it was reported that 22 veterans and service members were dying by suicide every day in the US.

Three years later, a 2018 report shows that number is now at 20.6.

For Bill Little, LCSW, local veteran and Program Coordinator of the Military Veteran Program (MVP) at Hamilton Center, Inc., “one is too many; zero is the goal.”

On Monday September 30, 2019, coinciding with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Little hosted the culmination to the 22 Push-up Facebook Challenge, in recognition of the 22 veterans and services members that complete suicide every day in the US.

For 22 days in September local groups and organizations took part in the challenge by completing 22 push-ups and challenging others to do the same. The purpose of the campaign was to not only to use local businesses and organizations to bring awareness to suicide prevention but to target conversation around the specific issues that veterans and service members face.

“We know that veterans and service members are more likely to experience trauma related disorders, struggle with reintegration into their communities, and isolate themselves from others due to overwhelming fear of stigma,” said Bill Little. “All of these factors and more lead to a higher risk of suicidal ideations, suicide attempts, and suicide completion,” he added.

With over 7,500 veterans, and over 45,000 US adults dying by suicide every year, its evident this issue is affecting everyone in some way. It is estimated that for every suicide there are 135 individuals affected by the event, often leading to trauma and trauma related disorders. For veterans it can be said that this contributes to a vicious cycle of trauma, isolation, and suicidal ideations. Whatever the circumstances of one’s struggle, Melvin L Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center, Inc. has a straight forward message, “Your life has great value; you are not alone; recovery is possible.”

If you or a loved one are struggling with trauma related issues, thoughts of suicide, or experiencing a crisis, Hamilton Center, Inc. can help. For more information on MVP and other services call 1-800-742-0787 for crisis support.

Hamilton Center also offers community mental health trainings including Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR), and Trauma-informed Care (TIC). Each of these courses offer individuals, groups, and organizations certified skills and tools that can assist them in helping someone that might be experiencing a crisis or suicidal ideations. To learn more about these courses go to www.trianingourcommunity.org.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit regional health system in central and west central Indiana. The Organization is building hop and changing lives through a broad array of health service for people during their entire lifecycle, birth through older adulthood. Services are individualized, trauma informed, and evidence based.

For more information contact 812-231-8323 or visit www.hamiltoncenter.org.

Now Certified in Gambling Addictions through DMHA

Hamilton Center, Inc. is pleased to announce its State certification through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to provide problem gambling services. These services will be offered by designated providers through two programs – Vigo County Outpatient, located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN, and Vigo County Addictions, located at 66 Wabash Court, in Terre Haute, IN.

While this certification is specific to Vigo County, the organization continues to provide counseling for gambling addiction, and all other forms of addiction, throughout its 10-county regional footprint.

Gambling services in the Vigo County programs will be reimbursed by DMHA, should the consumer have no insurance coverage. This would include those without any insurance coverage at all or those whose plans do not include gambling addiction or services offered by DMHA. The DMHA covered services include individual counseling, case management, skills training, financial counseling, transportation and other support services.

DMHA identifies problem gambling as gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term “problem gambling” includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as pathological, or “compulsive” gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, “chasing” losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit regional health system in central and west central Indiana. The Organization is building hop and changing lives through a broad array of health service for people during their entire lifecycle, birth through older adulthood. Services are individualized, trauma informed, and evidence based.

For more information contact 812-231-8323 or visit www.hamiltoncenter.org.