Mental health case management can benefit those in need

By Allen Shaw

Seeing a mental health professional can often help those facing issues affecting one’s well-being. Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis has a Mental Health Support Services Program that can be of great assistance to individuals struggling with mental health issues.

Take the case of Sandy.

Sandy (not her real name) has been diagnosed with major depression since she was 21 and completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota.

She began struggling with her schoolwork, which was normally easy for her. Sandy was becoming unbearably homesick and anxious that something terrible might happen to her family. At the time, she thought that it was the result of the increased stress of finishing college and working nearly full-time.

After extensive therapy in the years that followed, and from conversations with her family, she learned that depression runs in her family and her maternal great uncle committed suicide when he was 28.

After college, Sandy went to graduate school and got a degree in accounting. She married and started a family.

Now in her mid-40s, Sandy is again finding life full of challenges. She and her husband divorced last year and she has custody of their 11-year-old daughter. Her father passed away several months ago. Her job of more than 10 years is suddenly uncertain since the company was acquired by a large national firm.

Sandy’s depression is back and she has recently contemplated suicidal thoughts which scare her a great deal. She started seeing her therapist, but Sandy felt that was not sufficient in addressing her immediate needs.

The therapist suggested that in addition to medication and complementing that with ongoing therapy, she may also benefit from mental health case management. The therapist recommended JFCS’s Mental Health Support Services Program (MHSS), and suggested she call for information and assistance.

Sandy called and spoke at length with the MHSS Program Supervisor who asked her about her current situation, her history of treatment, her diagnosis and what medication she takes. That was three months ago.

Since then, she has been working with her case manager. Together, they have prioritized her needs and are addressing and coordinating her services in the areas of mental health stability, employment, housing, child support, budgeting and socialization.

Sandy feels she has a new lease on life.  Her symptoms are under control. Things at work are more stable, too, and she is feeling secure again. Her relationship with her daughter is better than ever. Finally, Sandy feels she is more on top of her budgeting and bills than ever before.

MHSS was started at JFCS more than 20 years ago, and is available to both Jewish and non-Jewish clients who reside in Hennepin County. The program has skilled and experienced case managers ready to assist clients, like Sandy, struggling with chronic severe and persistent mental illness.

Although the central focus of this service is mental health, many individuals also have challenges in other areas of their lives. Case managers take into account the client’s history to help them better manage their current situation and prevent future problems.

To accomplish this goal, the case managers coordinate services with other mental health and medical professionals, in order to better advocate for clients’ needs in housing, transportation, legal issues, finances, disability eligibility, employment, socialization and family dynamics among others.

In addition to the coordination of services for clients, MHSS offers fun and recreational activities throughout the year. These activities are often centered around the Jewish holidays and are designed to reduce clients’ isolation.

To find out more about Mental Health Support Services or to make a referral, contact JFCS at 952-546-0616.

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Allen Shaw is Program Supervisor of the Mental Health Support Services Program at Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis.