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Mental Health America Aiken County

Making a Difference...Here and Now 


April 2013 Newsletter

PROMOTING POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH

April 2013

In This Issue
2012 and the Difference we Made

 

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Link to our website:

www.MHA-AIKEN.org



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Education & Advocacy 

WB PANEL

 

Volunteer


OS PANEL

 

Donate Now


Nurture Home Panel
Nurture Home Shelter   



Board of Directors
 
Liz Neal
Robert Schwartz
Paula Turner
Sandra Baxter
Richard Garcia
John Heffley
 Linda Hook
 Terry Kneece
Chrissa Matthews
Denny Michaelis
Shelia Taylor
 
 
 


  
 

AC Cef Apron
 Aiken's Cookin' 2012 News & Photo Album

2012 and the Difference We Made 

 

MHA Aiken County held its Annual Meeting last month. With members of our Board of Directors, staff, and the Director of SC MHA, we talked about our accomplishments and discussed plans for the future of our agency. The outcomes below reflect the number of individuals served and why are supports are so vitally important.  

 

MHA Board  

2012 OUTCOMES 

 

 

Education and Advocacy

564 people were supported in 2012.

  • Suicide prevention for students
  • Referrals and support by phone
  • Support to bereaved survivors of suicide
  • Depression screening to college students
  • Confidential access to self-assessment tools

WHY?  Because 1 in 4 people over the age of 18 lives with a diagnosable mental health condition.

 

Welcome Baby

 260 people were supported in 2012.

  • Critical information regarding infant care provided
  • Local resources and referrals provided
  • Basic necessities and special baby gifts provided
  • Emphasis on mothers' post-partum mental health

WHY?  Because welcoming an infant into the family is an adjustment both physically and emotionally.

 

Operation Santa

461 people were supported in 2012.

  •  Christmas meal and gift exchange 
  • Thanksgiving meal with music and fellowship
  •  Spring Picnic

WHY? Because social interaction is critical for individuals living with a diagnosed mental disability.

 

Nurture Home

  •  44 homeless people were supported in 2012
  • 20 women and 24 children housing
  •  6 women delivered healthy babies while in NH
  • 14 women found jobs 
  • 3 enrolled in higher education
  • 11 families moved from NH into permanent housing 

WHY?  Because single mothers represent the highest percentage of homeless in the United States and because children who are homeless have increased health problems, poor academic performance, are more likely to have emotional and behavioral issues and to be exposed to criminal violence.

 

Years ago, I attended a seminar on fundraising. The speaker, an expert in philanthropy, was emphatic as he shared what most donors feel is most important to know...Why should I care?  I hope the information above is helpful in understanding our agency's critical impact. In the coming year, you may be approached by one of our board members advocating on behalf of our agency in an effort to increase our financial stability. I hope you will recall some of the descriptions here and respond by joining us in our efforts to promote positive mental health in Aiken County. You may "Donate Now" by clicking on the link to the left or send donations to MHA Aiken County, PO Box 1074 Aiken, SC 29805

 

 

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Friday Night Fun

Winners of Aiken's Cookin' Best Overall category

Mark your calendars and join us June 7th at The Willcox  for Aiken's Cookin' with Celebrity Chefs!  We'll keep you posted on our chefs, our sponsors and the especially creative Silent Auction items!


Gratefully,
Lisa Tindal
Executive Director
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