Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

If you need help coping

Here's to your mental health, with monthly talks and support.

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

The local mental health coalition has changed its format and is now holding monthly public meetings to provide information on everything from depression to impaired driving and addiction.

The Sun City Center Coalition for Mental Health and Aging will hold its first monthly forum at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the Sandpiper Room of the Atrium Building, chairman Ken Barringer said.

Since its formation, the coalition has held two annual daylong community forums on mental health and aging. Meetings will now be held once a month to bring in guest speakers on important topics on a more regular basis.

This month's topic is handling mental health emergencies, and October's theme is guardianship issues, Barringer said.

The coalition has also spawned support groups: one for residents who are caregivers and the other for residents adjusting to retirement living.

The coalition plans more support groups in the future, Barringer said.

"We're trying to get people over the stigma of going to see a counselor," he said.

Barringer, a retired clinical psychologist, said that some retirees suffer from an identity crisis after leaving careers or jobs that defined them for decades. Others try to cope with life apart from their adult children and grandchildren, or become depressed or overwhelmed while caring for an ill spouse or dealing with the death of a partner.

Other sources of depression or anxiety could be one's own deteriorating health or ongoing mental health battles ignored during working years.

While many adjust well to their new stage of life, Barringer thinks that some turn to alcohol to cope or slowly kill themselves.

The coalition was instrumental in attracting Mental Health Care Inc. of Tampa, which opened an office in the community in December.

To reach Mental Health Care for an appointment or questions, call 744-8888.

For more information about the coalition's meetings, call Sharon Love at 746-1158.

For general questions about the coalition, call Ken Barringer at 633-8490 or Doris Ragland at Samaritan Services at 634-9283.

Saundra Amrhein can be reached at amrhein@sptimes.com or 661-2441.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 08:23:42]