Mental health kiosks around South Lake Tahoe provide resources and information

There is a new resource in South Lake Tahoe for those seeking information on mental health resources. Finding help for someone experiencing a mental health crisis can be difficult and it can also be a lofty task for a family member or friend seeking support for a loved one in need.

Six mental health kiosks have been placed through the community, each one with a highlight of local mental health services available along with educational materials. Brochures are in both English and Spanish, and updated regularly.

“It can be very challenging to get a complete picture of what services and resources are in our community,” says South Lake Tahoe resident Marsha Ticas. “It is our hope to provide a less intimidating approach for a person to get on a healthy path and reduce the stigma around mental health.”

Marsha is a member of the El Dorado County chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an advocacy and support network for families and people affected by mental illness. She and Jeanne Nelson, a NAMI facilitator, designed and implemented the kiosks in six South Lake Tahoe locations.

Locations include:
Barton Community Health Center lobby - 2201 South Avenue, South Lake Tahoe
Barton Family Medicine lobby – 1090 Third Street, South Lake Tahoe
Barton Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department – 2170 South Avenue, South Lake Tahoe
El Dorado County Probation and Sherriff Office – 1360 Johnson Blvd– South Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe Community College in the Commons Area – One College Way, South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe Library – 1000 Rufus Allen Road, South Lake Tahoe

Marsha and Jeanne help update information and track which brochures are taken from each location.

“The kiosks also provide us insight into what issues community members want to know about and where people need more support,” says Marsha.

In the last month, Marsha reports that information about depression and bipolar disorder have been taken the most.

The mental health kiosks were funded by the Barton Foundation’s Community Health Grants. Grant proposals are currently being accepted and the deadline to apply is June 30, 2016.

The Barton Foundation is currently giving $50,000 in grants to improve community health, with priority going to projects and programs that address mental health, substance abuse, and access to healthcare services. For an application and more information, go to bartonhealth.org/grants