MarionMade!: New psychosis treatment launches in Marion County for teens, young adults

Special to the Marion Star
·3 min read

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The federal government estimates mental illness impacts about one in five adults. A local agency is partnering with a health care provider to launch a new treatment program to help local teens and young adults dealing with psychosis.

Community Counseling & Wellness Centers, known as Marion Area Counseling Center until July 2022, is located at 320 Executive Drive in Marion, next to Marion General Hospital. Staff at this agency have served thousands of residents of Marion County for more than 40 years.
Community Counseling & Wellness Centers, known as Marion Area Counseling Center until July 2022, is located at 320 Executive Drive in Marion, next to Marion General Hospital. Staff at this agency have served thousands of residents of Marion County for more than 40 years.

Symptoms of psychosis can be alarming for patients and families. Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, which may include hallucinations or delusions. People may see, hear, feel or believe things that aren’t real.

“Many times, if a person has had one experience with psychosis, another one is likely to occur and could become more severe,” said Anni Starcher, nurse supervisor with Community Counseling & Wellness Centers (CCWC) in Marion. “With our program, we hope those suffering from a persistent mental illness can recover and live a full, happy life.”

CCWC is partnering with The Ohio State University EPICenter (Early Psychosis Intervention Center) to launch the nation’s first hybrid model for early psychosis treatment for residents of Marion and Crawford counties.

(From left to right) Amy Billa, Anni Starcher and Ashley Jarrel are specially trained members of the new POINT team which focus on helping Marion County residents with a first psychotic episode receive care.
(From left to right) Amy Billa, Anni Starcher and Ashley Jarrel are specially trained members of the new POINT team which focus on helping Marion County residents with a first psychotic episode receive care.

A team of six staff with specialized training is ready to help those between the ages of 15 and 35. It’s open to anyone who had their first psychotic episode in the last 24 months. The episode should not have been caused solely by drugs or alcohol. Participants may have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features or personality disorders. If a person is not formally diagnosed, the team will help them get an assessment.

The Psychosis Outreach Intervention Navigation Team (POINT) works with The Ohio State University staff to provide a variety of health care services. This includes clinical and medical evaluations, individual therapy, education and support for family and friends, medication management and job or school success plans.

“We are looking forward to helping as many people and families who are suffering from a debilitating mental illness. We are hoping they can live life to the fullest,” Starcher said. “Living with a severe mental illness is not easy and many have been challenged with homelessness, being victims of crime, and fear. Research shows that quality of life is positively affected when psychosis is treated early.”

(From left to right) Amanda McGary, Lexi Jeffire and Dustin McMillin serve Crawford County residents with psychosis. The office is located at 2458 Stetzer Road, Bucyrus.
(From left to right) Amanda McGary, Lexi Jeffire and Dustin McMillin serve Crawford County residents with psychosis. The office is located at 2458 Stetzer Road, Bucyrus.

With a variety of health care providers including therapists, nurses and case managers, the team can coordinate services and make sure patients do not fall through the cracks.

“Mental illness should be treated as any other disease, such as diabetes. Treatment helps. Those suffering from mental illness should not feel ashamed to get medical treatment,” Starcher said. “The longer the illness is left untreated, the greater the disruption to school or job success, relationships with family and friends and overall independence and happiness.”

For more information contact CCWC at 740-375-3473 and ask for a POINT team member. CCWC is located at 320 Executive Drive in Marion.

While CCWC’s name changed from Marion Area Counseling Center, the staff has served the Marion community for decades.

“For more than 44 years, our agency has served children, families and adults in Marion County. Our new POINT program is an expansion of services, and we are proud to have been chosen by OSU and the State of Ohio because are a rural community,” Starcher said. “We have worked hard to collaborate with our community to help those who are hurting or addicted or lost such as law enforcement, shelters, hospitals, the United Way, and Crawford-Marion ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health) Board.”

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: New psychosis treatment program launches in Marion County