Consumer Programs
Vera French Community Mental Health Center offers several opportunities for active consumer involvement in determining the programs and services we provide, as well as increasing public awareness of mental health issues. Theseopportunities include Peer Advocates, The Advocate Newsletter, Quad City Stigma Busters, and the Consumer Council.
Peer Advocates
The purpose of Peer Advocates is to provide support to individuals with mental illness who experience difficulty transitioning from one program to another; are struggling to cope on a day to day basis; or endeavoring to achieve a more fulfilling lifestyle, and need an attentive listener. Peer Advocates are individualswho have survived disability related experiences, and by doing so, have gained insights and found strengths that could benefit other mental health consumers. Peer Advocates are trained by Vera French Community Mental Health Center staff and receive supervision on a weekly basis. In addition to Peer Advocate training, opportunities to be partnered with a Peer Advocate are also available.
Consumer Newsletter
The Advocate Newsletter is a consumer driven and written newsletter supported by the Vera French Community Mental Health Center and the National Alliance on Mentally Illness Scott County. The Advocate is an opportunity to voice opinions and concerns, as well as share thoughts, ideas and dreams. The Advocate needs writers, artists, and typists. Consumers may contribute on a one time basis or function in an ongoing capacity.
Quad City Stigma Busters
Founded in 2000, the Quad City Stigma Busters is an improvisational theater group whose purpose is to educate people about disabilities and dispel misconceptions. The group consists of members of the community with and without disabilities. By sharing our experiences through entertainment, we hope to reduce the stigmas associated with disabilities. The group is open to anyone, regardless of disability.
Consumer Council
Through a collaborative effort between Vera French Community Mental Health Center and the National Alliance on Mentally Illness Scott County, the Consumer Council was created. The purpose of the council is to discuss issues of interest that benefit consumers of mental health services in Scott County. Information and input from this group assists in determining services and programs offered by Vera French Community Mental Health Center and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Scott County. A representative from the Consumer Council is invited to participate in committees at Vera French Community Mental Health Center and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Scott County. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month over the noon hour.The group is open to anyone, regardless of disability and is available to perform for your next event or get together.
For more information on joining any of these programs, contact Greg Paulline, 563-322-5276 or Connie Williams, 563-322-6247 ext. 224.