A personal struggle with mental health issues can seem like a long, difficult and uncertain journey. It’s a path more people are finding themselves on these days, says Kevin Drollinger, president and executive director of Provident Mental Health. The nonprofit has seen a significant uptick in calls to its Life Crisis Line, underscoring the importance of support and funding for its programs and services. “The hotline is on track to receive about 70,000 calls this year, many from people in crisis who are considering suicide,” Drollinger notes. “That’s more than double the number we received last year.”
Provident believes the increase is due largely to the turmoil of current events and social conflict. “People in the community are stressed and reaching out for help,” Drollinger explains. “We get calls from all 50 states and other countries. Our hotline staff is well trained and equipped, so if someone calls from another state, they instantly can locate resources for the person in his or her area.”
In addition to mental health counseling and crisis intervention services, Provident offers after-school programs and community outreach activities that support good mental health. The organization also is working with the Clark-Fox Policy Institute at Washington University to advocate for additional training for social workers. “Last year we nearly got state legislation through that would increase the suicide prevention training social workers receive when first licensed and when renewing their licenses,” he says. “The bill didn’t pass, but we are hoping to refile it this month. Social workers are the ‘first responders’ of mental health care, so we think this effort is important.” Provident and the Clark-Fox Policy Institute also are working to increase access to care for those who have been incarcerated so they can reintegrate into the community.
Since critical mental health services require continuous funding, Provident throws an annual Spirit of Provident gala to involve the community in supporting its work. It will be held Feb. 10 at The Four Seasons Hotel downtown and will honor Spirit of Provident awardees Maxine Clark and Bob Fox, entrepreneurs and funders of the Policy Institute. Clark is expected to share moving remarks on her personal connection to Provident’s work. “It will be a wonderful evening with dinner and music,” Drollinger says. “We will recognize those who have contributed their time, talent and treasure, but it won’t just be a succession of speeches. We strike a balance between getting our message across and letting guests relax and celebrate.” Attendees will hear from keynote speaker and author Pete Earley, known for his writing on the state of mental health care in the U.S. He also will be part of a Feb. 9 panel discussion Provident and the Clark-Fox Policy Institute are hosting on access to care.
Drollinger says the organization is on the cutting edge of crisis intervention, so those who support its efforts truly can feel they are making a difference for clients. “The American Institute of Suicidology has called our program a model for the rest of the nation,” he notes. “We often are asked to present on crisis intervention at national conferences, and we have great success rates. The same goes for our after-school and counseling programs. We are proud of our 158-year history of service, and we work hard to send a powerful and hopeful message about mental health.”
Provident Mental Health is celebrating a long history of service to the community at its annual gala Feb. 10 at The Four Seasons Hotel. Pictured on the cover: Provident board chair Larry Thomas with 2018 Spirit of Provident Award winners Maxine Clark and Bob Fox. For more information on the event, call 314.802.2581 or visit providentstl.org.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured at top: Provident counselors are highly trained to help people in crisis.
Photo courtesy of Provident Mental Health
