Peer Support For Mental Health

In 1998 North Coast Community Homes (NCCH) began working with the Summit County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board to develop and maintain housing for persons diagnosed with severe mental illness.

When the decision was made to take on this responsibility, we realized that we would be serving a new population with different requirements. We had to become knowledgeable about the needs of people with mental illness. Prior to this time we had only serviced individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

We learned that mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. The illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. The good news is that mental illnesses are treatable.

In addition to medication treatment, case management services, pyschosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can be components of a treatment plan that can assist with recovery. Work also plays an important role for it provides a social support system and the opportunity for people to regain their sense of self-esteem, control and stability.

NCCH looked for opportunities to provide meaningful work for our tenants in Summit County. We now employ three people -- two of whom perform grass cutting and clean-up around their homes. The third individual lives in our largest multi-family building in Summit County and works 20 to 30 hours a week. He disposes of trash, cleans the floors and common areas, acts as an early warning system to alert us of potenial health, maintenance and security problems, and most importantly, helps the other tenants in his building by being a peer support role model for them.

North Coast Community Homes has found that the Peer Support program and the employment of NCCH tenants in Summit County is helping us while at the same time we are helping our tenants. We plan on hiring other NCCH tenants as opportunities become available.

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