The Mental Health Association is a nonprofit, advocacy group. They are
associated with the National organization. Their mission is to promote
mental health in the community. Education is an important part in their
crusade. The community needs insight and understanding regarding mental
illness. Those individuals with disorders are not separate and distinct
from society. They are just on the other end of the continuum.

Ms. Delgado is head of the Board of the Directors for the Island House.
This is a structured program involving 25 members who travel from Beaufort
and Jasper counties everyday. The group meets from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM to
attend classes on managing money, grocery shopping, mediation management and
daily living skills. Many individuals with mental illness losses these
skills. Also, those attending are on Medicare/Medicaid and therefore live
right above poverty level. The Island House works with other agencies to
provide daily living supplies. This project started out with only
volunteers. They now have 1 full time employee and 2 part time employees.
Another project which are speaker is involved in would be Canal Apartments.
Approximately 20 individuals participate. This allows them to live
independently with supervision.

Ms. Delgado invites any opportunities that she can educate and promote
advocacy with regards to mental illness. In an ongoing effort, screening
days for alcohol, drug, depression and stress are provided. This provides
an individual the opportunity to recognize a problem. They are then
encouraged to seek professional help on a regular basis. Ms. Delgado is now
in the process of gathering resource material such as type of providers,
facilities, acceptable insurance, etc. Hopefully, this will enable those
with mental illness to seek proper care.
Medicaid is currently their only source of funding. Ms. Delgado would like
to develop relationships for funding, in kind support and volunteer services
as well. A few organizations in the community do special projects, but she
would love to broaden this list.

 

If anyone is interested in helping in any way, please contact her at
842-5855.