PLEASE HELP US REACH OUR #GIVINGTUESDAY GOAL OF $1,500 FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES
When you contribute to McClendon Center, you’re helping to provide hope and healthier lives to our more than 1,000 men and women who are living with mental illness. So often, when a client first comes to us, they have broken ties to family, have difficulties managing the symptoms of their mental illness, and/or have other health issues. McClendon Center not only provides psychiatric treatment, we also offer community support, group counseling and workgroups, and access to primary health care.

DID YOU KNOW that people with severe mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population? Many of these deaths are due to chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension and cardio-vascular disease). But WHY? Though most of these chronic conditions are treatable — and maybe even preventable — people with severe mental disorders are less likely to take care of their health, have access to primary care, and/or the symptoms of their mental illness affect their ability to make healthcare decisions. In additon, medications to treat their mental illness can have side effects (such as causing weight gain and diabetes) that affect their physical well-being. Furthermore, there is evidence that individuals with serious mental health conditions often do not receive the same levels of care as the general population – mostly likely due to disadvantages such as unemployment, disenfranchisement, and their socio-economic status.

In 2016, McClendon Center will be launching a Health Home team, which will better serve our clients by integrating primary and behavior health care services. In addition to psychosocial treatment, Health Home staff (nurses and Health Home coordinators) will be responsible for assessments, working with clients on setting health goals, documenting and reviewing progress, and adjusting strategies as needed.

HOW YOUR #GIVINGTUESDAY GIFT WILL HELP: Our goal is to raise $1,500 to help cover the costs of medical equipment such as professional-grade blood pressure monitors and scales, glucose testing supplies, and portable blood pressure devices for Health Home coordinators to use while in the field.
TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP CHANGE THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE WORKING TOWARD STABILITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND BETTER MENTAL HEALTH