Mental Health Association of Tompkins County is a United Way-funded agency

The Mental Health Association (MHA) of Tompkins County is a private, not-for-profit agency that aims to increase public awareness about mental-health issues. MHA is one of more than 100 local programs that receive funding from the United Way of Tompkins County.

By Latarsha Williams

This year, 17 million Americans will suffer from clinical depression. According to the National Mental Health Association (NMHA), women are almost twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. The good news is that more than 80 percent of these people can be treated successfully with a combination of medication and therapy.

One question remains: Why don't people get the help they need?

"I think there is a big myth about mental health," said Beth Jenkins, executive director of the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Tompkins County. "There's an even bigger stigma that only the incapacitated suffer from mental illness."

Jenkins added, "The truth is that one out of four people will need some type of mental-health intervention during their lifetime for normal things -- loved ones die, people get fired, workforces are downsized, personal bankruptcy occurs. All of these things can have an impact on a person's life and cause a mental upset." Perhaps this is why most people either ignore or misdiagnose the symptoms of their depression, Jenkins said.

The MHA in Tompkins County provides support groups, public education and advocacy, rehabilitation and respite services for all residents of Tompkins County, including children, adults, parents, professionals and even college students faced with emotional challenges.

"Many graduate and undergraduate students at Cornell and Ithaca College use our counseling services," Jenkins said. "Many call to find out about depression or what to do for a friend who they think is depressed. Others use our services to cope with grief or even thoughts of suicide."

Cornell staff and faculty also use the services MHA offers. Recently, a Cornell supervisor referred an employee to the MHA. As a result of this successful intervention, the employee was able to remain on the job.

Jenkins' commitment exemplifies this year's theme for the Cornell United Way Campaign -- "Get Involved. Be a Hero." She has been director at MHA since 1995.

Jenkins says the real heroes are the students and community members who volunteer their time with MHA. Heroes are also the families trying to learn more about mental illness and be supportive of one another.

When asked about United Way support, Jenkins responded, "United Way gives us the flexibility to offer our services to a broader community." She said this type of support has allowed the MHA's yearlong focus on diversity to flourish. "We're trying to focus on human diversity and the value of it. We can enrich our own lives when we open up to diversity."

Jenkins also said the United Way of Tompkins County encouraged the association to start a web page that should be up and running this month. The United Way of Tompkins County is "a sounding board for problems, giving us feedback and encouraging us to network with other community agencies," she explained.

Be on the lookout this month for community activities related to maintaining mental health, especially on World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10. See the Briefs on Page 2 for information on Depression Screening Day Oct. 8.

"We will run Depression Screening Days with area physicians and these will be open to the community," Jenkins said. MHA also will distribute a mental-health manual for all of the school districts in Tompkins County. The manual will serve as a resource for teachers who have questions about a child's behavior.

For more information about the Mental Health Association, call 273-9250 or stop by the MHA office, 225 South Fulton St. in Ithaca.