Integrated Services of Kalamazoo Initiative aims to Help Community Cope with Pandemic Trauma

In response to the behavioral health impact of COVID-19 in Kalamazoo County, Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) is teaming up with area partners to offer the community - including faculty, staff and students - essential support and resources for staying safe, healthy, resilient, and hopeful, both during and after the pandemic.

With the Refocus, Reconnect, Recover campaign, ISK aims to help members of the community cope with the trauma and disruption of the pandemic by:
• Reminding people that it’s normal to experience mental and emotional distress related to a disaster, and there is help available
• Connecting individuals with easily accessible mental health resources
• Inspiring resilience and hope while facing a “new normal” together

ISK is promoting the 269-381-HELP line, provided by campaign partner Gryphon Place, as the community’s go-to resource for emotional support or crisis intervention. The HELP line is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Community members can also get connected to local resources (like housing and utility assistance, food pantries, non-crisis mental health services, and more), by dialing 211.

In addition to Gryphon Place, ISK is partnering with the Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services on the campaign. Pandemic-Focused Workforce Development In addition to the Refocus, Reconnect, Recover campaign, ISK is training their clinical staff to provide specialized behavioral health support related to the pandemic, including Psychological First Aid. This will position the organization to better serve current clients (individuals and families with mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and co-occurring disorders), primary and behavioral health care providers, and community-level responders. ISK is also preparing for the next phase of disaster response/recovery in coordination with the county and state and identifying resources to support future community needs.

About Integrated Services of Kalamazoo Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (formerly known as Kalamazoo Community Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services) provides a welcoming and diverse community partnership to share effective resources that support individuals and families to be successful through all phases of life. The agency is one of 46 Community Mental Health Services Programs in Michigan. More information is available at www.iskzoo.org or by calling 269.373.6000.