Annual Meeting Welcomes New Members to MHASP
Moving toward its goal of becoming more visible and effective as it continues to open new programs throughout the region, the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP) took several steps at its recent annual meeting to help deepen its connections to the community.
Meeting at the Arch Street Meeting House on October 7, the board of directors welcomed three new members with diverse and experienced backgrounds who will each serve three-year terms.
They are: David R. Fair, who brings a strong background in advocacy, especially in children's issues and AIDS/HIV; Dennis Fisher, a therapist and training specialist who has worked in the city's mental health system for more than 20 years; and Kathleen Sharp, president of Reach Out Foundation of Bucks County, a consumer-to-consumer advocacy and education organization.
In other action, Michael J. Vergare, M.D., a psychiatrist with a long-standing interest in developing services in the community for people with mental illnesses, was elected to serve as president for the final year of his second three-year term.
"I'm pleased to be able to serve as a leader for the Association for the next year," said Vergare, who is chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at both Thomas Jefferson University and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network.
"I feel the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania is truly the single voice that represents consumers, family, professionals and all those concerned about better care for the mentally ill. In the future, in addition to continuing to expand existing services, we want to reach out further in the area of children's services and better coordinate our activities between the various counties in the region."
Other officers elected were: Joanne Walker, an attorney in private practice, to be vice president; Ernest R. Lilley, a long-time board member, to be secretary; and Herman Sander, an accountant, to continue as treasurer.
After a luncheon, which followed the board meeting and included a recognition of outgoing board member Ronald Berman, the program focused on recognizing volunteers who work with the Community Companion program, headed by Holly Bennett.
A total of 16 volunteers received certificates acknowledging their service with Community Companion, which matches volunteers with people who are recovering from a severe mental illness. The two then spend time together doing activities that range from talking on the phone to meeting for lunch to sitting in the park.
The goal is to help people who are recovering from a mental illness overcome social isolation and loneliness while practicing their social skills. It is not intended to replace therapy, medication or any other type of treatment.
"We have some really great volunteers," said Bennett. "Richard Askew, for instance, has two buddies. One of those relationships is more than three years old. Anthony Messina has been a buddy with someone for more than five years. The two spend time together almost every other day. You can really see how Anthony's buddy has changed."
