In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, this mission moment feature includes participants from our PSR program. Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) is a Medicaid funded program for adults with mental health needs. This program assists participants with the goal of reintegrating into the community. The participants that attend PSR are diverse in their cognitive ability, level of independence, and background. Participants learn to cope with the symptoms they experience so they can remain stable and become more independent. People with mental health concerns often experience stigma from society and even their own families. PSR provides a source of support and encouragement to participants while teaching them to self-advocate for their needs.
Larry Gaines?(Westside PSR)
How long have you been a part of PSR: 4 years.
What do you enjoy about the PSR program: Talking to my friends, helping other people and playing dominos.
What have you learned from PSR: How to communicate better?with my friends.
How has PSR helped to make your life better: Being around other people makes me feel better. I don?t feel alone because I have friends here.
What do you do in your free time: Cleaning up, washing dishes, helping around the house and going out to eat at Golden Coral or the Chinese buffet.
?Because of The Arc?.? ?I have friends.
Katrena Iannotti?(Westside PSR)
How long have you been a part of PSR: A couple of months.
What do you enjoy about the PSR program: It keeps me busy. I like doing the hangers and keeping other people in good spirits.
What have you learned from PSR: I?ve improved my reading skills. ?I?m thankful when people take the time to help me out with it.
How has PSR helped to make your life better: I feel like I?m part of a family now. They?ve adopted me and I enjoy being here because I get along with everybody.
What do you do in your free time: I watch my detective programs and do word search puzzles. I like to go?bowling, cook dinner, do laundry and visit my mom when I can.
?Because of The Arc..??I am happy to be here and I?ve made friends.
Ikeya Jonier?(Downtown PSR)
How long have you been a part of PSR: September 2014
What do you enjoy about the PSR program: Working?and having fun with my friends.
What have you learned from PSR: ?How to be independent and skills needed to earn?money.
How has PSR helped to make your life better: They?re helping me reach my goals
What do you do in your free time: I like to go outside, exercise and watch movies. I also enjoy hula-hooping and jump rope.
?Because of The Arc..??I am happy and enjoy doing work with my friends.
Theresa Jones?(Downtown PSR)
How long have you been a part of PSR: ?February 2015
What do you enjoy about the PSR program: I enjoy the groups because each day we do something different and learn about various?skills. At The Arc everyone is treated equally.
What have you learned from PSR: Communication skills, making positive and healthy choices, dealing with my emotions properly and conflict management. I?ve become more considerate of others.
How has PSR helped to make your life better: Before I came to The Arc Jacksonville I was depressed, but they really helped me. I?ve learned how to take better care of myself. The people here are helpful. I?m able to focus on more positive things because of the positive people here at The Arc.
What do you do in your free time: I mostly cook and watch classic movie and TV shows. I really enjoy karate and western shows.
?Because of The Arc..??I am?a better and caring person. I now know where I?m going in life.