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Hopewell to Present Panel Discussion Regarding the Treatment of Mental Illness

Hopewell, Ohio’s only Therapeutic Farm Community, will host an evening program entitled “Advancing the Treatment of Mental Illness” and featuring an impressive panel of experts. The program will take place Wednesday, October 5, at the Cleveland Racquet Club.

“We are honored to offer our region this opportunity to learn, understand and discover the doors opening for individuals with mental illness, allowing them to live productive lives in society,” said Richard R. Karges, Hopewell’s Executive Director/CEO. The event will be the sixth annual edition of the popular David Cutler Conservatory Exploring Mental Health Series.

The panelists include the following:

Joseph R. Calabrese, MD, Director of the Mood Disorders Program and the Bipolar Disorders Program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. He is also professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. His research interests include improvement of clinical outcomes in underserved populations of bipolar disorder, including adolescents and those adults also abusing alcohol and/or drugs.

Thom Craig, MPA, is Director of the Mental Health Program of The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation. He has more than 30 years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with both developmental disabilities and mental illness.

William M. Denihan is CEO of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County. Formerly he served as executive director of Cuyahoga County’s Department of Children and Family Services and was Chief of Police for the City of Cleveland.

Frederick J. Frese, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and a retired Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. A psychologist who has specialized in the treatment of schizophrenia for more than 40 years, Dr. Frese was diagnosed with the condition at age 25.

Sana Loue, JD, PhD, MPH, MSSA, is Hopewell’s Research Consultant. She is Vice Dean, Faculty Development and Diversity, and Professor of Bioethics, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Psychiatry and Global Health at the CWRU School of Medicine.

Martha S. Schinagle, MD, is Hopewell’s Resident Psychiatrist. She practices in the Mood Disorders Program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the CWRU School of Medicine.

Moderator for the panel will be Loree Vick, Manager of Strategic Engagement, Marketing and Communications for the Summa Health System. She is a trustee and frequent spokesperson for LifeAct, formerly known as the Suicide Prevention Education Alliance (SPEA).

There will be an hors d’oeuvres and wine reception at 5:30 p.m. on October 5, and the program will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. The cost for this informative evening is $25 per person and reservations must be made in advance (by September 28).

Reservations may be made on line at www.hopewellcommunity.org/support-us/events/emh or by calling 440-247-0912, ext. 202. Seating is limited.

About Hopewell

Hopewell is a 300-acre residential working farm located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is the only therapeutic farm community in Ohio. It is ODMHAS-licensed and CARF-accredited. Hopewell is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Residential Treatment Association. Information, tours and assessments are available by contacting Nicole Shuster at 440.426.2009. Visit www.hopewellcommunity.org.

Summer 2016: Finding a Place of Profound Healing

Caring, gentle-spirited and kind, 28-year-old Alex S. exudes an infectious sense of warmth and optimism. This didn’t always come easily to him, however. Alex has struggled with symptoms of mental illness for much of his life.

“I couldn’t function,” he says…

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Hopewell’s 16th Annual Summer Solstice Raises Record Funds

Hunting Valley, Ohio—(July 27, 2016) Hopewell, a therapeutic farm community for adults with mental illness, just announced that its 16th Annual Summer Solstice Benefit raised record-breaking funds, according to Richard R. Karges, LISW-S, ACSW, Hopewell’s executive director and CEO.

“Summer Solstice yielded over $300,000—a new fundraising high. All the proceeds from this event enable Hopewell to offer fee assistance to 95% of its families each year,” said Karges. “It was a great way to celebrate our 20thAnniversary as an organization.”

Over 400 guests attended the event, which was held on June 24, 2016 at the sprawling estate owned by Gretchen and Brian Colleran, whose foundation served as a Gold Sponsor. The benefit was catered by Driftwood Catering. Two barns overflowed with silent auction items and auctioneer Bob Hale conducted a live auction of exclusive experiences and vacation packages. The event chair was Mary Joyce and her husband, Peter, emceed.

This year’s event honored Hopewell trustee Al Kantra, Jr. and Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth®. Hawthorn has been the Presenting Sponsor of Summer Solstice for all sixteen years of the event. Al Kantra is the Executive Vice President and Managing Director of PNC Asset Management Group. David Legeay, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Cleveland market for Hawthorn, announced during the program that Hawthorn will be the Presenting Sponsor again next year.

Highlights of the evening included personal remarks by Mrs. Clara T. Rankin, Hopewell’s founder. Cynthia Lauren, a former resident, gave a moving speech about Hopewell and shared her journey through mental illness towards wellness. Immediately afterward, the Fund-a-Need portion of the evening raised over $59,500.

Next year’s Summer Solstice is planned for Friday, June 16, 2017, once again at the Colleran estate.

About Hopewell

Hopewell is a 300-acre residential working farm located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is the only therapeutic farm community in Ohio. It is ODMHAS-licensed and CARF-accredited. Hopewell is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Residential Treatment Association.

Information, tours and assessments are available by contacting Daniel Horne, clinical director, at 440.426.2009 or dhorne@hopewell.cc. For more information, contact the Hopewell Development Office at 440.247.0912.

Hopewell Successful with Young Adults with Mental Illness; Prepares Them to Thrive When They Return Home

Mesopotamia, OH—(July 7, 2016) Hopewell Therapeutic Farm for adults with mental illness is finding success with young adults between the ages of 18 and 35, according to a recent tracking study indicating success rate.

The announcement was made by Rick Karges, executive director/CEO. “Our staff is proud of the success of our younger residents,” said Karges. “They bring a level of energy and creativity we can build from. They help each other succeed and embrace an exercise and healthy lifestyle that springs easily from our farm environment.”

Hopewell is a true working farm. Residents and staff care for many farm animals, vegetable gardens and acres of protected woodlands. Since its inception in 1996, Hopewell has served individuals from 28 states across the United States and more than 80 residents each year.

For over 20 years, Hopewell has served adults age 18 years and older whose primary diagnoses are schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, severe depression or other forms of mental illness.

Outcome studies since 2006 have shown the effectiveness of Hopewell’s program, a model that incorporates a bio-psycho-social orientation to promote wellness and sustained recovery. The healing power of nature, meaningful work and community – along with a caring and highly qualified staff – have led to Hopewell’s unique model of mental health care that successfully promotes self-worth, self-confidence and greater independence for adults dealing with mental illness. In the past three years, a success rate of 75% was registered for adults under 35 years old, according to Hopewell’s 2016 study.

In reality, the “Hopewell Model” is a new version of an old methodology called “moral treatment.” Dating back to the early 1800s in Europe, the concept of moral treatment focused on treating individuals with equality and respect within the context of a healthy living and learning environment. People with mental illness are able to express their feelings and views freely, as well as participate actively in decisions affecting their lives. This basis of today’s “therapeutic community” resonates well with younger residents.

Within a therapeutic community, the community itself becomes a catalyst for positive change. At Hopewell, individuals with mental illness are able to heal and thrive within a compassionate, supportive community. As contributing members of that community, they build self-esteem and learn skills necessary for independent living after discharge.

At Hopewell, such skill-building is paired with comprehensive mental health treatment for maximum results. Hopewell’s highly trained clinical team provides a variety of therapies proven to be successful in treating a range of mental health conditions. These therapies include psychiatric medication management, group counseling, creative expression, equine-assisted learning and horsemanship, nature studies, meditation, spirituality, education (high school diploma program and GED preparation), money management, independent living skills (meal planning, shopping, cooking and healthy living) and interpersonal relationship skills. Job readiness is emphasized, and residents develop vocational skills in their daily work, which may include the resident-operated on-site farm and craft market and woodshop.

Ever-responsive to residents’ needs, new programs are introduced regularly, and staff receive appropriate training for each new program. Examples include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a therapy especially helpful for trauma victims; art therapy; yoga; nature studies; a food management training program and peer-led group training called “WRAP” (Wellness Recovery Action Plan).

Additionally, the residents themselves often create new programs. The Hopewell Band developed from Hopewell’s focus on music. The group has produced two CDs and frequently performs for farm residents as well as at Hopewell’s annual benefit event. The Creative Writing Group encourages residents to express themselves through poetry, short stories and personal reflections. Often, their work is published in Hopewell’s quarterly newsletter mailed to families of current residents, former residents, donors and other friends.

Every Hopewell resident has a personalized goal plan known as an Individual Service Plan (ISP). Each unique plan is created collaboratively between the resident and clinician. The goals are visited continually throughout the resident’s stay.

The skills learned at Hopewell materialize into results that are tracked closely. Outcome tracking shows that residents who participate fully in the daily programming see progress in the treatment of their mental illness. These results include decreased psychiatric symptoms, improved interpersonal and vocational skills, improved level of functioning, increased cognitive effectiveness, decreased emotional distress and improved social and occupational competency.

About Hopewell

Hopewell is a 300-acre residential working farm located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is one of only a handful of therapeutic farm communities in the U.S. It is licensed and certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and was the first therapeutic farm community in the U.S. to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for Therapeutic Community: Mental Health (Adults). Hopewell is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and the American Residential Treatment Association (ARTA). Research projects are carried out at Hopewell through a partnership with Case Western Reserve University.

Information and assessments are available by contacting Daniel Horne, director of admissions at 440-426-2009 or visit www.hopewellcommunity.org .

Spring 2016: Long-awaited Healing – and Gratitude

Following a hospitalization, 57-year-old Cynthia L. came to Hopewell in October 2015 at the recommendation of her family. The following are Cynthia’s words, as told to her clinician, Laura Scarnecchia, LPC. An inspiration to everyone at Hopewell, Cynthia has agreed to share her story as guest speaker at this year’s Summer Solstice event.

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