Interim Inc. Recognizes National Mental Awareness Month in January 2021

 Interim Inc. recognizes the importance of Mental Wellness Month in January 2021, and is dedicating the month for promoting overall mental wellness.

 Salinas, CA, December 21, 2020 — Interim Inc. recognizes the importance of Mental Wellness Month in January 2021, and is dedicating the month for promoting overall mental wellness. 

Mental wellness is about how all aspects of your life — the social, emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual — all come together for an overall state of well-being.

 Mental health and wellness affect all aspects of our lives. It helps determine how we act, feel, and think, and it affects our ability to handle stress, connect to other people, and to make decisions. Thus it’s important to improve our mental awareness in any way we can, some can be as simple as laughing or having a positive attitude.  

Here are some tips that can help everyone improve their mental wellness: 

1. Develop a positive attitude — people with positive attitudes are happier, more successful, and better able to handle crises and stress. And in concert with a positive attitude, get an attitude of gratitude for what you have instead of dwelling on what you don’t. 

2. Avoid negative self-talk — Learn to be thankful for the good rather than focusing on the negative issues.

 3. View a crisis situation as an opportunity — creative problem-solving can expand your options. Try to make a list of good things that could result from the problem you’re having to solve. 

4. Laugh — Humor is a great stress-reducer. Studies indicate laughter can make you healthier. 

5. Exercise — Regular exercise increases energy and releases brain biochemicals to ward off depression and anxiety. Just a 15-minute walk a day will help keep body and soul together. 

6. Improve your diet — During times of stress, you tend to skip meals or eat junk food. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and fiber will help you maintain the physical and mental stress you need to deal with the situation. 

7. Get enough rest — sleep disturbances are common during stress. 

8. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. Help can be just a phone call away. 

For more information  go to https://www.americanmentalwellness.org/  or to interiminc.org.

 About Interim, Inc.

Interim, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that provides a unique combination of support services, housing and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County. Services provided include affordable supportive housing, residential treatment, mental health and dual-recovery services, case coordination, therapeutic services, outreach and intensive support for homeless adults, supported education and employment, day treatment and peer support.

Interim Inc.
P.O. Box 3222 
Monterey, CA 93942 
(831) 649-4522 
www.interiminc.org

Contact: 
Marci Bracco Cain 
The Buzz PR LLC 
Salinas, CA 
831-747-7455 
marci@thebuzzpr.net 
http://www.interiminc.org

Interim Inc will be hosting an Open House at Shelter Cove on December 6, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Interim Inc will be hosting an Open House at Shelter Cove on December 6, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM and will offer Holiday Treats and Tours of the remodeled facility. 613 Bayonet Circle, Marina, CA.

Monterey, CA, October 03, 2019 - The need transitional housing has been identified by Monterey County’s Coalition of Homeless Services Providers Local Continuum of Care. According to the 2017 Monterey County Homeless Census, approximately 28% of the homeless have serious mental illnesses and approximately 34% have substance use disorders.

Those who are homeless and in need of transitional housing often have a wide variety of needs to address before they are ready to move on to a permanent, independent living arrangement. Examples of common barriers to stability include lack of an income source (employment and/or access to benefits), history of untreated or undiagnosed mental illness, physical illnesses, substance use issues, a lack of basic life skills and deep emotional traumas. Interim staff at Shelter Cove offer case management, individual and group counseling, collaborative treatment planning focused on symptom management, social/family functioning and activities of daily living, coordination with psychiatric and other healthcare providers, including transportation if needed, medication education and support, linkage to community resources, recreational and social activities and peer counseling and support.

Residents of the Shelter Cove Program have private bedrooms and share the common living areas. The Bridge House Academy, a successful dual-diagnosis (mental illness and substance addiction) rehabilitation program located nearby, is available to all residents of Shelter Cove as well as, individual and group counseling and peer support groups for people for whom a day rehab program is not indicated. For example, clients in Shelter Cove are strongly encouraged to work, go to school, or do volunteer work. There is a resident manager available at night for emergencies. Residents pay 30 percent of income or the General Assistance set amount for rent. The maximum length of stay is one year.

· Interim originally acquired the Shelter Cove property under the McKinney Act from the US government as part of the decommissioning of Ft. Ord and has successfully operated transitional housing at this site for adults with mental illness since 1996.

· The Shelter Cove site formerly had 32 bedrooms. We have added seven bedrooms to the project by converting ground-floor community spaces into bedrooms. The ground-floors of these units are large enough to accommodate these renovations easily (approximately 1,000 square feet in shared space). These additional bedrooms were added without changing the exterior footprint of the buildings and were completed at a fraction of the cost of new construction. Adding these seven beds to Shelter Cove (now 39 beds) allows Interim to increase the number of homeless/at-risk individuals it serves from 45 to 65 individuals per year, an approximate increase of 22%.

· We have converted ground floor powder rooms in these units into full baths by adding showers. This conversion, in addition to the new ground floor bedrooms will better accommodate mobility-impaired residents. Although these units are not fully ADA compliant due to floor plan constraints, they are more accommodating for residents unable to climb stairs.

· Additionally, the kitchens of these seven units have been completely remodeled with new cabinets, flooring, countertops and appliances. Kitchen storage has been optimized as well. All Shelter Cove residents cook for themselves in the shared kitchens. The remodeled kitchens better accommodate multiple cooks.

We will be hosting an Open House at Shelter Cove on December 6, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM and will offer Holiday Treats and Tours of the remodeled facility. 613 Bayonet Circle, Marina, CA.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.interiminc.org/

Interim Inc. Hopes to Spur Change, Raise Awareness During Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in July

Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.

Monterey, CA, July 04, 2018 — Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. But background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult because mental health doesn’t discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity.

With that in mind Monterey private nonprofit organization Interim Inc. is encouraging improvements in the country’s mental health system, especially when it comes to marginalized communities, and raising awareness of the issue by supporting July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, which was established in 2008 to start changing this.

Interim is the only agency in Monterey County dedicated to supporting adults with mental illness by providing affordable housing, residential treatment, social rehabilitation services, homeless outreach and support, family outreach, and supported education and employment services.

In May of 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives announced July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Maryland) and cosponsored by a large bipartisan group to achieve two goals:

>Improve access to mental health treatment and services and

>Promote public awareness of mental illness

When trying to access treatment, marginalized communities have to contend with such issues as:

>Barriers to access to treatment

Language barriers

>Lack of cultural competence

>Racism, bias and discrimination in treatment settings

>Lower-quality care

>Lower likelihood of health insurance or adequate coverage

> The high level of mental health stigma in minority populations

> Belief that treatment will not help

These are all in addition to the usual roadblocks.

“Many cultures also view mental health treatment as a luxury, considering symptoms a ‘phase’ that will eventually pass,” writes Laura Greenstein, communications coordinator at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “These harmful perceptions of mental illness can further isolate individuals who desperately need help.

“We can all help ignite change against these disparities and fight stigma this Minority Mental Health Awareness Month,” she adds. “It simply starts with learning more about mental health and informing your community.”

Some of the ways an individual can get involved and help change the system according to Greenstein include:

>Consider Giving A Presentation

The more we talk about mental illness, the more normalized it will become.

>Emphasize Treatment

Make sure to stress the importance of a culturally competent provider. These mental health professionals, such as the services offered by Interim, integrate your beliefs and values into treatment.

>Share Your Story

When a person experiences symptoms of mental illness, one of the most helpful and comforting feelings is knowing that they’re not alone. It can be incredibly reassuring to know in this moment right now, someone else is going through similar struggles as you are—regardless of where they are, who they are, or how they identify.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and stop stigma in diverse communities. It’s time to improve the harsh realities minority communities face when it comes to mental illness treatment. In fact, it’s long overdue.

About Bebe Moore Campbell
Campbell was an author, advocate, co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and national spokesperson, who passed away in November 2006.

She received NAMI's 2003 Outstanding Media Award for Literature. Campbell advocated for mental health education and support among individuals of diverse communities.

In 2005, inspired by Campbell’s charge to end stigma and provide mental health information, longtime friend Linda Wharton-Boyd suggested dedicating a month to the effort.

The duo got to work, outlining the concept of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and what it would entail. With the support of the D.C. Department of Mental Health and then-mayor Anthony Williams, they held a news conference in Southeast D.C., where they encouraged residents to get mental health checkups.

Support continued to build as Campbell and Wharton-Boyd held book signings, spoke in churches and created a National Minority Mental Health Taskforce of friends and allies. However, the effort came to a halt when Campbell became too ill to continue.

When Campbell lost her battle to cancer, Wharton-Boyd, friends, family and allied advocates reignited their cause, inspired by the passion of the life of an extraordinary woman.

The group researched and obtained the support of Representatives Albert Wynn (D-Maryland) and Diane Watson (D-California), who co-signed legislation to create an official minority mental health awareness month.

About Interim Inc.
Interim, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that provides a unique combination of support services, housing and social rehabilitation treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County. Services provided include affordable supportive housing, residential treatment, mental health and dual-recovery services, case coordination, therapeutic services, outreach and intensive support for homeless adults, supported education and employment, day treatment and peer support.

Interim Inc.
P.O. Box 3222
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 649-4522
www.interiminc.org

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.interiminc.org

Interim Inc. Hopes to Spur Change, Raise Awareness During Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in July

Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.

Monterey, CA, June 27, 2018 — Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. But background and identity can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult because mental health doesn’t discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity.

With that in mind Monterey private nonprofit organization Interim Inc. is encouraging improvements in the country’s mental health system, especially when it comes to marginalized communities, and raising awareness of the issue by supporting July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, which was established in 2008 to start changing this.

Interim is the only agency in Monterey County dedicated to supporting adults with mental illness by providing affordable housing, residential treatment, social support, homeless outreach and support, family outreach, and supported education and employment services.

In May of 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives announced July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Maryland) and cosponsored by a large bipartisan group to achieve two goals:

>Improve access to mental health treatment and services and

>Promote public awareness of mental illness

When trying to access treatment, marginalized communities have to contend with such issues as:

>Barriers to access to treatment

Language barriers

>Lack of cultural competence

>Racism, bias and discrimination in treatment settings

>Lower-quality care

>Lower likelihood of health insurance or adequate coverage

> The high level of mental health stigma in minority populations

> Belief that treatment will not help

These are all in addition to the usual roadblocks.

“Many cultures also view mental health treatment as a luxury, considering symptoms a ‘phase’ that will eventually pass,” writes Laura Greenstein, communications coordinator at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “These harmful perceptions of mental illness can further isolate individuals who desperately need help.

“We can all help ignite change against these disparities and fight stigma this Minority Mental Health Awareness Month,” she adds. “It simply starts with learning more about mental health and informing your community.”

Some of the ways an individual can get involved and help change the system according to Greenstein include:

>Consider Giving A Presentation

The more we talk about mental illness, the more normalized it will become.

>Emphasize Treatment

Make sure to stress the importance of a culturally competent provider. These mental health professionals, such as the services offered by Interim, integrate your beliefs and values into treatment.

>Share Your Story

When a person experiences symptoms of mental illness, one of the most helpful and comforting feelings is knowing that they’re not alone. It can be incredibly reassuring to know in this moment right now, someone else is going through similar struggles as you are—regardless of where they are, who they are, or how they identify.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness and stop stigma in diverse communities. It’s time to improve the harsh realities minority communities face when it comes to mental illness treatment. In fact, it’s long overdue.

About Bebe Moore Campbell
Campbell was an author, advocate, co-founder of NAMI Urban Los Angeles and national spokesperson, who passed away in November 2006.

She received NAMI's 2003 Outstanding Media Award for Literature. Campbell advocated for mental health education and support among individuals of diverse communities.

In 2005, inspired by Campbell’s charge to end stigma and provide mental health information, longtime friend Linda Wharton-Boyd suggested dedicating a month to the effort.

The duo got to work, outlining the concept of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and what it would entail. With the support of the D.C. Department of Mental Health and then-mayor Anthony Williams, they held a news conference in Southeast D.C., where they encouraged residents to get mental health checkups.

Support continued to build as Campbell and Wharton-Boyd held book signings, spoke in churches and created a National Minority Mental Health Taskforce of friends and allies. However, the effort came to a halt when Campbell became too ill to continue.

When Campbell lost her battle to cancer, Wharton-Boyd, friends, family and allied advocates reignited their cause, inspired by the passion of the life of an extraordinary woman.

The group researched and obtained the support of Representatives Albert Wynn (D-Maryland) and Diane Watson (D-California), who co-signed legislation to create an official minority mental health awareness month.

About Interim Inc.
Interim, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that provides a unique combination of support services, housing and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County. Services provided include affordable supportive housing, residential treatment, mental health and dual-recovery services, case coordination, therapeutic services, outreach and intensive support for homeless adults, supported education and employment, day treatment and peer support.

Interim Inc.
P.O. Box 3222
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 649-4522
www.interiminc.org

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.interiminc.org