Category: Hamilton Center, Inc. News

Hamilton Center, Inc. hosted the annual Hamilton Awards Dinner Tuesday, October 23^rd, at the Sycamore Banquet Center, on the campus of Indiana State University, in Terre Haute, IN. Celebrating 47 years in the community, the theme for the dinner was “Regain Something Lost”. This theme embodies different things to different people as they reflect on what they have reclaimed in life that was once lost due to mental illness or addiction. Named in honor of Katherine Hamilton, an outspoken activist for improved mental healthcare, Hamilton Awards are given to individuals and organizations in the community that have contributed significantly to the cause of behavioral health and/or addictions. With nearly 40 nominations, the categories included were: Hamilton Center staff, community service, and outstanding volunteer service.

Hamilton Award, Hamilton Center Staff

Emily Owens – Nominated for her hard work, professional standards, and commitment to improving the quality of life for Hamilton Center consumers. Emily began her career as a Wraparound Facilitator, was later promoted to manager, and soon after that executive director. A part of leadership team, Emily advocates for evidence based medicine and has invaluable knowledge of the mental health system.

Missy Burton – Nominated for her servant leadership and dedication to Hamilton Center consumers Missy has been an integral part of Hamilton Center’s relationship with the Vigo County School Corporation. Working with teachers, counselors, principals, and administrators, Missy sets an elite standard for assessments, crisis evaluations, consultations, and supervision.

Hamilton Award, Community Service

Team of Mercy (T.O.M.) – Nominated for their advocacy for suicide awareness and support of the families affected by suicide, Team of Mercy was developed out of horrible personal tragedy. Christina Crist has used the passing of her daughter, Hannah, as motivation to create an organization dedicated to serving those left behind to suicide. They work tirelessly to offer financial assistance and emotional support within 24 hours of an event.

Principal Robin Smith – Nominated for her leadership of young minds and support of mental health initiatives at Terre Haute North Vigo High School, Principal Smith supported the idea of a student to start a mental health club. After contacting Hamilton Center with the idea, North students were soon trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), a program that will equip students and staff with the skills to better support and assist each other.

Hamilton Award, Outstanding Volunteer Service

Sue Thiemann-Wynne – Nominated for her work with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and commitment to ending the stigma surrounding mental illness, Sue is a powerful advocate for mental health. In 2018, Sue led the way in bringing Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor’s Brain Extravaganza to Terre Haute. Working with ISU, Rose Hulman, and the VCSC, this was NAMI’s largest and most successful event in May which is mental health and stroke awareness month. Sue served on the board of Mental Health America, and worked with the IU Mini Med School to coordinate a program called “Demystifying Mental Illness”.

Keynote speaker Adam B. Hill, MD, shared his personal story of recovery from depression and substance use. Dr. Hill attended the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSOM), and went on to complete his pediatric residency training at St. Louis University, and fellowships at Duke University and IUSOM. Currently, Dr. Hill is the division director of the pediatric palliative care program at Riley Hospital for Children where he focuses on allowing patients to live the best quality of life possible, in the midst of chronic, life-limiting and/or life threatening medical conditions. In addition to this work, Dr. Hill is passionate about physician wellness and self-care and has become a nationally recognized lecturer on the topic, writing a book entitled “Long Walk out of the Woods: Lessons from A Physician’s Mental Health and Addiction Recovery”, pending publication.

Hamilton Center, Inc. thanks Adam B. Hill for sharing his story, and congratulates the winners of the 2018 Hamilton Awards. Hamilton Center acknowledges the efforts of all the nominees for these awards; together we can end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

Hamilton Center welcomes therapist Phillip Mitchell II, MSW to Child & Adolescent Services at 500 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN.

Phillip Mitchell received a Bachelor’s degree of Social Work and a Master’s degree of Social Work from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Phillip has experience in the mental and behavioral health field from several positions including community outreach, direct care staff, and care coordinator. With a specialization in leadership development Phillip hopes to help people understand their own potential.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes Allison Pugh as the Executive Director of Communications to the corporate office located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN.

Allison has worked in various settings including the non-profit sector, hospitals, correctional facilities and community mental health centers as well as an internship with Terre Haute Police Department. Her passion is serving the underserved and overlooked populations that desire resources to access treatment services that promote and sustain long-term sobriety. Most recently, Allison served as the director for the very first trauma-informed and evidence-based addictions treatment program for individuals in the criminal justice system as an alternative to incarceration. Pugh also played an integral piece in re-structuring and re-developing a residential treatment program that provides military Veterans with treatment services that focus on addressing co-occurring disorders, specifically Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorder. Allison graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Allison has also served the community through volunteer work with Park-Vermillion Humane Shelter, Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and the Wheeler Mission. She hopes to use her professional experiences to better serve the community and those most in need.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes Cindy Rotman as Program Manager for the Bloomfield office, located at 431 E. Main St. in Bloomfield, IN.

Cindy graduated from Judson College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Services with an emphasis in youth leadership. She has worked with children and adolescents in many capacities, including case management, skills training, and family services. Previously Cindy was the Wraparound Facilitator for the Hamilton Center, and most recently the Care Manager Supervisor for Child & Adolescent Services where she gained significant insight and experience into the field of mental and behavioral health services.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes Cindy Rotman as Program Manager for the Owen County office, located at 909 W. Hillside Ave. in Spencer, IN.

Cindy graduated from Judson College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Services with an emphasis in youth leadership. She has worked with children and adolescents in many capacities, including case management, skills training, and family services. Previously Cindy was the Wraparound Facilitator for the Hamilton Center, and most recently the Care Manager Supervisor for Child & Adolescent Services where she gained significant insight and experience into the field of mental and behavioral health services.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes therapist Katie Shake, MSW to the Greene County office located at Lonetree Rd. Linton, Indiana 47441.

Katie Shake received a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work with a minor in Psychology and went on to graduate with a Master of Social Work from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. In completing an internship in a middle and high school, she oversaw projects to create awareness around suicide and bullying. Shake has a serious passion and clinical interest in serving children and members of the rural community.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

You are not alone. Recovery is possible.

That is the message that the staff and board of directors of Hamilton Center, Inc. want the community to understand. Now in its 29^th year of national recognition, Hamilton Center, Inc. looks to spread awareness of September as National Recovery Month. Its purpose is to highlight the achievements of individuals who have reclaimed their lives in the process of recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.

Recovering from addiction, suicidality, and other mental illnesses is a lifelong journey, filled with highs and lows. It is essential that recovery is understood to be ongoing, rather than a static destination or outcome. For many, recovery is a process of regaining something lost, like family, a job, or dignity, while for others, recovery can be simply learning how to recognize and identify the moments that a person needs support, and then learning to take the steps to get that help. “Recovery is fluid – it is not linear – and we should not expect an end, but rather a different shape,” said therapist Natasha Newcomb, LSW, MSW at Hamilton Center, Inc.

Hamilton Center continues to create, expand, and improve services for individuals struggling with addiction, mental illness, and other disorders. The organization reaffirms to those suffering that recovery is possible by identifying these illnesses as physiological and physical afflictions and promoting individualized treatment. Hamilton Center provides a full continuum of care with different levels of care to treat each person’s specific needs. Services include support for those suffering from serious mental illnesses, like depression and bi-polar disorder as well as acute needs such as helping people cope with loss or change in life. In addition, the organization recently developed a committee, the Zero Suicide Committee, address suicide prevention both internally in the organization and externally in the community. “One suicide in this community is too many,” said Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO. “We will continue our outreach in the community to assist people with identifying risk of suicide in their friends, neighbors and family,” he said.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. honored three outstanding community members Saturday, August 25th at 1:30 pm in Rose Park. These individuals offered their time to mentor and educate children and adolescents throughout the community for many years. Each recipient contributed significantly to offering students a better perspective on life. The awards were presented during a special ceremony at the community event “We Live”.

Those receiving recognition for the Outstanding Community Member Awards include:

Mr. Richard Lawson for his years of service to the community and in coaching.

Mr. John P. Newton for his service in County Council, Indiana State Alumni Association, and years of enthusiasm for community events.

Sister Dorothy Rasche for her outstanding service to low-income families and in education, as well as her involvement in countless food drives and pantries in our community.

Melvin L. Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, presented the awards, and recipients received a token of appreciation for their service to community.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.