Did you know that…
…one in five Americans has experienced mental illness in the past year?
…more than 1.8 million Pennsylvanian adults have a mental health condition?
…nearly half of all Americans attribute a negative impact on their mental health to the COVID-19 pandemic?
…nearly 40% of Pennsylvanian adults reported symptoms of depression and/or anxiety in 2021?
These facts, taken from a 2021 fact sheet published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (and found with full citations here), demonstrate the need for a multi-faceted approach to mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the demands on the mental health system, which was already strained before the pandemic. In Lebanon County, in addition to traditional services, residents also have access to the services of a mental health non-profit called Compeer of Lebanon County.
Compeer of Lebanon County envisions a world where our neighbors experiencing mental illness are fully integrated into our community. Unfortunately, that is not our current reality. Many of our neighbors with mental illness have difficulty accessing resources and programs and live in isolation. The simple gift of friendship can restore joy and hope to a person who is often empty of both.
At Compeer, we realize how valuable friendship is to people in recovery from mental illness. To stay on the road to recovery, a person living with mental illness needs more than traditional therapy alone can offer. At no cost to the client or volunteer, Compeer of Lebanon recruits, screens, trains, and matches volunteers in one-to-one friendship relationships with adults who are receiving mental health treatment. The Compeer model is recognized as a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration evidence-based program and practice and is meant to be a supplement to other therapies, medications, or programs that an individual may be prescribed.
We currently offer three friendship programs to meet our neighbors where they are:
- Compeer matches caring adults in one-to-one supportive friendships with people of the same gender who are in mental health recovery.
- CompeerCORPS is an extension of the traditional Compeer model that is designed to serve veterans in the community who are in mental health recovery.
- Compeer Youth offers supervised, large-group mentorship, socialization, and activities for at-risk teenagers within the structure of a school day.
For the past 20 years, we have provided completely free services to hundreds of Lebanon County residents. Here’s how the process works: Compeer staff screen volunteers, provide in-depth training, and then help to select and create a friendship connection between volunteers and neighbors recovering from mental illness. The matches are supported every step of the way. Compeer matches spend at least four hours together monthly, participating in activities they both enjoy. Compeer offers monthly social activities to all program participants, whether they are matched with a volunteer or waiting for a match.
While it looks a little different during the pandemic, Compeer of Lebanon County has been stepping up in a big way, virtually, by phone, and with safe in-person events to make sure that our neighbors aren’t weathering the pandemic alone.
But we can’t do it alone. Compeer of Lebanon County currently has a large list of neighbors waiting for a Compeer match. We are always looking for volunteers. Interested volunteers can complete a quick intake application at https://compeer-lebanon.org/volunteer/ so that we can get in touch with you.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the services of Compeer of Lebanon County, please contact our office at (717) 272-8317.
Author: Amaury Abreu
