Proper exercising for better mental health is now too expensive
David Laber, Athens NEWS Writer
May 2, 2005
The Athens Community Center offers discount rates for organizations that benefit low-income groups, but even that's not enough to help members at the local Gathering Place shelter.
With places such as the Gathering Place, 7 N. Congress St., receiving fewer funds every year, it's difficult to afford activities such as going to the Athens Community Center, said Sandy White, who is a member at the Gathering Place.
The Gathering Place is a place where people with mental illnesses can build relationships and support each other.
Because members at the Gathering Place use each other as a support group, its members do not contribute to the crowding in state-funded living areas and institutions, and this helps keeps costs down to the state, White said.
However, because the Gathering Place is not state mandated, it relies on the local 317 Board, United Appeal for Athens County and donations to support itself, Executive Director Scott Kreps said.
"Its always tenuous," Kreps said of the house's budget. Because of the trickle down of decreasing funding for social health care and mental health, places like the Gathering Place find themselves at the bottom of the funding-priorities list, he added.
Nevertheless, members who want to take part in recreational activities such as going to the community center find they have to dig into their own pockets, White said.
The Athens Community Center offers 20-visit punch cards at half the original price for non-profit organizations, said Kevin Schwartzhoff, Athens recreation director.
White said the Gathering Place used to utilize this discount, but the cost remains prohibitive. "Some members paid for their own cards, but they didn't have enough income (to keep doing so)," White said.
About 10 to 12 members would like to go to the community center on a regular basis, she added.
Exercise was not the only activity to be cut. The Gathering Place used to have a movie night that also became cost prohibitive, she said. "Activities fell by the wayside to provide for house costs.".
White is in a unique situation compared to other members at the Gathering Place because she is both a mental-health consumer and provider -- she has a degree in social work.
During her studying, she said she has come across several studies finding that exercise alters brain chemistry to reduce the effects of depression.
While some members suffer from depression, others experience depression as a side effect of their illnesses.
By working out regularly, someone with a mental illness can reduce the need for anti-depressant medication, she said.
With going to the community center being cost prohibitive, White added, members set up a small work-out area in the Gathering Place's basement. It contains a weight bench and some loose weights.
Meanwhile, the community center is not in a position to offer any more of a discount either, according to Schwartzhoff. "People need to understand we are fee-based agency," he said. With the amount of fees the community center collects, it already fails to meet its financial needs, he added.
With the warmer months arriving, Schwartzhoff said the city offers a variety of free outdoor activities.
There also is the possibility of another agency or group purchasing discounted punch cards on behalf of the Gathering Place, he said.
Currently, Athens Rotary purchases discounted punch cards on behalf of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Athens County, according to Schwartzhoff. "We understand there are health benefits a lot of individuals may not be able to afford with their incomes," he said.
But if a group were to sponsor the Gathering Place, that would allow for members to use the facilities at no cost, he said. "If there are groups that wanted to buy punch cards for the Gathering Place or other groups, we would be interested in that," Schwartzhoff said.
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