News

Spring 2015: A Family’s Story

My daughter, Liza, is a resident at Hopewell for a second time. I want to tell you our family’s story. My husband, Richard, and I have two daughters. We have always been a close-knit family. We thought life was challenging when Richard lost his job in 2008 and in 2009 when he was diagnosed with cancer. No matter how we have been tested, we have remained strong. But in July 2010, we thought we were fighting for our lives. Liza, our beautiful, gifted oldest daughter, was facing court-ordered confinement in a state mental hospital/ criminally insane facility. Her crime? She is dealing with schizophrenia with paranoid delusions.

Download PDF

2014 Outcomes Report

Results from Hopewell’s research continue to show improved outcomes.

Download PDF

Hopewell CEO Suggests Ways to Deal with Dark Days of Winter; Therapeutic Farm Offers Assessments and Information

Getting through the dark days of winter can, for many, be particularly depressing. Research tells us that the lack of sunlight, along with lots of cold and wintry weather compound the ¬¬situation. Doctors refer to this condition as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
“If you happen to find that the winter blues are producing more personal distress and anxiety than usual, you are not alone,” said Richard R. Karges, Hopewell Executive Director/CEO. “The good news is that these dark days do not have to be the dreaded experience it could be if you take some proactive steps.”
Karges offers some things you might consider to help make your winter more enjoyable, meaningful and rewarding. According to Karges, “You can focus on the bright side.”
Women, especially those in their twenties, are most susceptible to seasonal affective disorder, but it can affect men and women of all ages, including children and teens. Often people with seasonal depression have at least one close relative with a psychiatric disorder, typically major depressive disorder or alcohol abuse.
Symptoms
SAD symptoms emerge during the darker winter months, then disappear as days grow longer and brighter as spring comes. It’s estimated that a half-million people in the United States may have seasonal depression.
Symptoms of SAD include:
• Weight gain. Craving for food leads to excess weight.
• Daytime fatigue. People with SAD are tired during the day. They may also find themselves sleeping a lot, but getting no relief.
• Increased irritability and anxiety. People with SAD worry more and can be easily irritated.
• Social withdrawal. Those with SAD prefer to be alone. They shun the company of friends and family and do not participate in activities they normally enjoy.
Treatments
SAD is treatable, and there are various treatment methods.
• Light therapy offers some effectiveness. Light therapy boxes are available to imitate the outdoors. You can buy them without a prescription, but they can be costly. The best time to use light therapy is in the morning. Typically, light therapy takes about 30 minutes a day.
• Seek a clinician who can coach you through these dark days and figure out if it is indeed SAD or a life changing event such as death in the family that is the true cause of depression. A medical professional also can prescribe antidepressants, if necessary.
• It is important to find the cause of depression. Make an appointment with a professional who can diagnose SAD or another type of depression. Depression can be caused by past memories or upcoming events. Sometimes we overlook the time of the year in relation to life events.
• The sun does shine in the winter, just not as much. Changing your work schedule or daily routine to make a point of experiencing the sunshine when it does make an appearance can be helpful, as well.
• Why not take a vacation where it’s warm and sunny? And, be sure to maintain your relationships with friends and family.
Information and Assessments Available
“Often during the dark days of winter, we reflect on ways to improve our life and the lives of those near and dear to us,” said Karges. “As a therapeutic working farm, Hopewell offers numerous programs successfully helping people with mental illness achieve their potential and contribute to society.”
Information and assessments are available by contacting Rachael McLaughlin, director of admissions/marketing at 440.426.2009. Visit www.hopewell.cc.
###

Winter 2015: “Takin’ Care of Business”

No one wants to think of traumatic brain injury, especially when it impacts a brilliant young man in his early 20s. In a heartbeat, a tragic automobile accident forever changed the life of Bill G.

After many years and treatment at other facilities, Bill came to Hopewell ten years ago. He is part of our Extended Stay Program. Last month he celebrated his 64th birthday. And he celebrated his third month as an employee at the Wal-Mart store in Middlefield.

Download PDF

Morgan Impact Awards

The 5th Annual Morgan Impact Awards honoring individuals and organizations impacting areas of mental health, education and arts were presented Thursday, November 20 at the Northeast Ohio Medical University Education and Wellness Center.
More than 350 guests enjoyed a welcoming reception, dinner and awards program. In attendance were government officials:
• The Honorable Thomas Teodosio, Judge Summit County Court of Common Pleas
• The Honorable Linda Tucci Teodosio, Judge, Summit County Juvenile Court
• David Lieberth, Former Deputy Mayor, City of Akron
• David Basil, Hudson City Council, Ward Two

and business and education leaders:
• Joel Mowrey, ED, Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County
• Tallmadge City School District Leaders and Board
• Mark Scheffler, ED, Leadership Akron
• John Petures, Akron Community Foundation
• Christine Mayer, GAR Foundation

The evening began with a welcome from The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation President Rick Kellar, who announced, “The people and programs we honor this evening exemplify care, concern and conscientious support of others.” The awards program consisted of short videos highlighting the work of each award recipient. Following short speeches, honorees took home a Fräbel custom glass dogwood sculpture and a framed certificate.
Foundation President Rick Kellar announced the honorees:
Adam Sheldon and Justin Caithaml were presented the Award for Education for their unique methods using creative arts to enhance academic performance with their program, Shaping Music And Reading Together (SMART). Recognizing the need for pre-service educators to have authentic teaching experiences in diverse settings and with the support of their professors, peers and the university administration, they formed a partnership with Akron Public Schools to craft a framework for a student-led urban teaching initiative. The program couples the growth and development of Akron students with the growth and development of tomorrow’s teachers. SMART students learn about different cultures through story exploration, movement, and music creation.
Akron Art Museum, Live Creative was presented the Award for Imagination for excellence in fostering creativity and inspiring a broad audience to discover a passion for the arts. The Akron Art Museum’s education programs directly impact the lives of toddlers, parents, preschoolers, teachers, students, artists, and community members. Each Thursday offers a diverse menu of unique experiences that encourage children and families to unplug, reconnect and get creative. Admission to the museum is now free every Thursday.
Akron Children’s Hospital, Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) received the Award for Mental Health demonstrating dedication and commitment to adolescent mental health.
The Partial Hospitalization Program has served approximately 4,000 adolescents and their families offering a variety of treatment modalities that provide a rich therapeutic experience. A parent stated, “We are incredibly thankful to (PHP) professionals who have helped our daughter through one of her darkest times thus far in life. Keep doing what you are doing because you are really good at it.”
The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) is a triage and referral service for children and adolescents at risk for self-harm. Located in the Emergency Services Behavioral Health Unit of Akron Children’s Hospital, PIRC is staffed by a well- trained and dedicated team of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors and Licensed Independent Social Workers who assess patients in a family friendly environment. This level of accessibility and quality of individualized care is unrivaled in the pediatric mental health arena. PIRC staff has revolutionized the delivery of behavioral health care in a hospital emergency department by delivering safe and efficient emergency mental health services to patients and families who are experiencing a crisis. Their compassion and professionalism assists the families when they are extremely vulnerable and overwhelmed.
The Summit was presented the Award for Innovation for their innovative thinking and creative initiatives impacting our region. The radio station, which is sustained through public support, is a leading independent multimedia organization that builds community around compelling music and enlightening content worldwide. In addition to the commercial-free music, The Summit offers award-winning streaming and smart phone stations. Summit Flashbacks offers music from the 1980’s new wave area. KIDJAM! Radio combines upbeat, current and classic music mixing-in kids mentoring kids on exercise, nutrition and self-care. Rock and Recovery features positive and meaningful rock songs with inspirational messages.
Clara T. Rankin was honored with the Founder’s Award. She embodies qualities of creativity, discovery, and steadfastness, is committed to family, and has a spirit of selfless giving, as Peg Morgan, Founder of the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation.
For many years, Clara Taplin (Mrs. Alfred M.) Rankin has been a major catalyst for the arts in Northeast Ohio and an advocate for individuals dealing with mental illness. Guided by her motto, “family first,” and dedication to family, Mrs. Rankin envisioned a healing place. With the help of a small group of devoted friends, including Peg and Burt Morgan, she raised the necessary funds, identified a suitable property in rural Mesopotamia, and founded Hopewell. It is Ohio’s only therapeutic farm community for adults with mental illness.
Suzanne Morgan, daughter of the late Peg Morgan, commented, “I am elated that she is receiving this award. She has contributed so much to the healing of people with mental illness, recognizing the need in the field and making it the best care.”
About the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation
The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation serves to improve the lives of people with serious mental illness by investing in innovative projects in Northeast Ohio having national transformational impact. The Foundation was established in 2001 in Hudson, Ohio, as a private grantmaking foundation. Peg Morgan’s husband, Burton D. Morgan, provided the initial donation that established the foundation and put into motion plans to carry out Peg’s decades-long desire to help families grappling with mental illness. For information, please call 330-655-1366 or e-mail inquiry@mcmfdn.org or visit http://www.mcmfdn.org.

Download PDF