For 10 years, Dan has battled mental illness.

Monday, July 23, 2001

For 10 years, Dan has battled mental illness. He’s suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and earlier this year, clinical depression.

Through his therapist, he was introduced to Recovery Now, a self-help group dealing with stress, anger, and nervous and emotional problems. Recovery began holding modified format, one-hour-long meetings at the Next Step Clubhouse back in November. The meetings run from 4:15-5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays.

&uot;I did it for personal help, something my regular therapist suggested,&uot; Dan said of getting involved with Recovery. &uot;It’s in more of a group setting, and we read out of a book (&uot;Peace of Body, Peace of Mind,&uot; by Rose Van Sickle) and talk about techniques to get through daily trivialities.&uot; Meetings are confidential; members use only first names.

Dan said through Recovery he’s learning how to deal with other people. &uot;I’m learning how to get along with others, especially at work,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s helping. Otherwise I wouldn’t be coming here.&uot;

After he got involved with the group, Dan told his mother, Carol, about the meetings, and suggested she attend Recovery herself, but not the same group he was in.

Recovery Now has two other meetings during the week. One meeting is on Monday evenings at Albert Lea Medical Center; the other is Tuesday mornings at HealthReach. Regular Recovery Now meetings are more structured than the Clubhouse meetings, said Norma Levorson, group leader. The meetings run two hours, people raise their hands to discuss points from the Van Sickle book, plus they read from books by Abraham A. Low, M.D., the founder of Recovery Inc.

Levorson said in Recovery, people learn to understand and to cope with others who irritate them, and upsetting, trivial situations they cannot change or control. &uot;They also learn specific self-help skills to help manage the emotional and physical symptoms that result from stress, fear, anger, depression, anxiety, or other emotional problems,&uot; she said.

Levorson added that people don’t need to have a diagnosed illness to benefit from attending Recovery meetings.

&uot;Family members can learn how to help instead of hinder,&uot; said Levorson. &uot;Often people say things like, ‘Snap out of it,’ or ‘Get over it,’ or ‘It’s no big deal; don’t let it bother you,’ which only irritate. The family member can learn to better cope with the patient.&uot;

Carol said Levorson and Recovery have been extremely helpful. &uot;It’s a great group to attend,&uot; Carol said. &uot;The people there give a lot encouragement, and help with positive thinking. No one there is going to blab about someone else’s problems.&uot;

Because she enjoys being with other people, Carol said she likes the format of the group sessions.

Dan is also benefiting from being part of the Next Step Clubhouse’s programming in terms of making friends. He’s taken part in some of the scheduled parties, one-day trips to places like Cabela’s or the Mississippi River, or simply shared meals.

&uot;It’s a new set of friends, and they accept each other,&uot; said June Etienne, case manager with Freeborn County Human Services/ South Central Community-Based Initiative and staff person at the Next Step Clubhouse.

&uot;Socialization and education are the main functions here,&uot; Etienne said.

The Clubhouse recently celebrated its second anniversary. It was originally requested by consumers, Etienne said, and is modeled after clubhouses in other counties. It is funded by state money turned back to the counties because of lower utilization of regional treatment centers. Grants helped purchase things like computers, and consumers got many of the other furnishings donated. There is a kitchen, dining area, television room and meeting room. In addition, there is a pool table and a washer and dryer. There is no cost to belong, but people need to register the first time they come down, Etienne added.

The Next Step Clubhouse is staffed from 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Clients can also check out the key at other times from Rathjen House.

Levorson stressed that Recovery Now does not replace professional treatment. &uot;It’s an additional aid or resource,&uot; she said. &uot;We do have excellent acceptance from the professionals in town.&uot;

Anyone with questions about Recovery may call Levorson at 373-9094. Etienne and Levorson will also be featured guests on KATE Radio’s &uot;Health Talk&uot; from 8:15 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 25. People are welcome to call in questions at that time.