Does anyone care?

Last night a program was held at Family Service & Community Mental Health Center called "Helping Young Adults Navigate Today's Challenges." This program was part of the Mental Health Awareness Month in McHenry County.

You'd have expected the large, third-floor meeting room to be packed. Right? How many were there? Three. T-h-r-e-e..... plus the presenter, Chris Gleason.

Chris sat down informally with us for a discussion, instead of making a "presentation". I complimented the 20-year-old woman who attended. Thanks for being there!

When asked about Lazy Cake, Chris was adamant about its potential harm, which is contrary to a comment posted last week that ingredients are harmless. Cannabis use (that's marijuana, folks) may lead to early-onset schizophrenia. "Oh, it's harmless." Oh, really?

I'd like to see a computer model of mental health needs by the drug-using culture. Let's run it out 10, 20, 30 years. Will addictions be so severe that many more segments of the population will be unsafe on the streets and in their homes?

Then it will be too late to say, "If we'd only known."

Chris explained the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) System. Some of the key points are:

* Engage young people through relationship development
* Tailor services and supports to be accessible, coordinated, appealing, developmentally appropriate, and build on strengths
* Acknowledge and develop personal choice and social responsibility with young people.

Information about the TIP System can be obtained from Scott Brown at Family Service. Contact Scott via sbrown @familyservicemch.org