A Little Help from My Friends
Each of us needs a sympathetic friend to hear our troubles or simply to bear witness as we vent about the injustices of life.
The need for a friendly face is much greater and the chances of finding one much less for those with mental health issues. The sufferer's own depression or the stigma of mental illness can drive friends away.
Thirty years ago, the Mental Health Association of Butler County, 140 N. Elm St., launched the compeer program to counter the social isolation of those with ongoing mental health disabilities, said Elaine Callihan, the program's volunteer supervisor for the past 12 years.
The program simply provides a friend to whom people can talk. It matches adults with people of the same gender who are recovering from a mental illness. Its premise is the support of a friend can enhance the quality of life, improve the ability to cope with stress and foster mental wellness.
“It's a two-phase process,” said Callihan. “We recruit volunteers from the local community. Anyone who is compassionate and caring and wants to give back to the community can be a volunteer.”
Potential volunteers complete an application, supply references and are interviewed.
“We interview each person that contacts us,” said Callihan.
Volunteers and clients are matched based on similar ages, locations and shared interests. They receive training before they are matched.
Volunteers receive an education on mental illnesses, are briefed on the expectations of the program and learn of issues and situations that may arise.
Clients are referred to the program by a mental health professional, counselor or case worker, Callihan said.And word of mouth plays an important part, she added.“A lot of it is, each one tells one. The clients in our program enjoy it so much they tell their friends,” she said.Once a volunteer and a client are matched up, Callihan asks the volunteer spend at least four hours a month interacting with his client.“It's a very flexible stipulation. That's why I think it's one of the best programs that people can volunteer for: its flexibility,” said Callihan.Callihan has 66 compeers matched with clients. The peers range in age from Josephine Strazisar, 96, of Gibsonia, who serves as a pen pal to patients in hospitals, to Jorge Cantera, 18, of Butler, who got involved through a college course but has elected to remain with the program.Callihan stressed that the compeer volunteer is a supportive friend, not a therapist, caregiver or taxi service.Compeer pairs meet for meals, bowling, attend games or a movie or just get together to talk.Robert Freeman of Butler has been a compeer volunteer for years and is matched with his third client.Freeman, who retired from PPG Industries, said “I received so much more from the friends I spent time with. It's pretty much an open offer.”“I think you find that you get more out of it. That's what I've learned,” he said.He said of his current compeer match, Jack Ferguson, “He is a walking encyclopedia in sports. He's wonderful, and he's taught me not to interrupt. He's taught me to be a little bit more courteous.”“We might go out to dinner. We might want to talk sports or our past life or relationships with females,” Freeman said. “We talk every day on the phone and get together once a week.”
James Russell of Butler, a Grapevine Center employee, was matched with John Salvatori of Butler.Russell said, “He has mental issues and I suffer from severe mental depression. I see him every day. He's more like a brother to me.”“We go to ball games and we go out to eat,” said Russell.“It benefits me greatly. I have a peer I can talk to. He's someone you can talk to right away,” Russell said.“We have the same interests and generally enjoy each other,” said Salvatori.“We're the best of friends. We see each other every day,” said Russell. “We make the best of every day. We seem to enjoy the little things in life. Having a friend is very beneficial.“It's not a good day unless I see James,” said Salvatori.“We're going to fix someone's TV today,” Russell said.Yvonne Sabol of Evans City has been a compeer to Debbie Christy of Butler for five years.Christy, who said she suffers from schizophrenia, said, “We do crafts, and we go to movies and plays, go shopping at Michael's and Walmart. One time we went to Pittsburgh Mills mall and went to the IMAX theater to see 'Final Destination 3.' It was pretty cool.”“Yvonne was there when my mom died a few months ago,” Christy said. “And when she was unemployed and depressed, I helped her through that.”“We kind of do a lot of things that don't cost a lot of money,” said Sabol. “We go Dutch and we take turns renting movies.”Sabol said, “Elaine grabbed me at a safety walk in the park” and convinced her to sign up to be a compeer.
For John Cochran of Butler working to get his associate degree in social work at Butler County Community College is what induced him to become a compeer.But in the two and a half months that he's known Michael Hughes of Butler their shared experience of being guitar players and Navy veterans has brought them closer.Hughes, who said he suffers from manic depression, said, “He's been a big help in my life. We are both guitar players. We play guitar together, sing songs, hang out and go for coffee.”“Really, I got involved through the social work program,” Cochran said. “I also suffer from depression. What got me interested in Mike was he knows where I'm coming from.”Cochran hopes to graduate with an associate degree in social work and then go on to get his bachelor's degree in the subject.But, according to Hughes, his friend is already an expert.“He's like a social worker with me now. I'm very lucky,” he said.<b>Compeer Program</b>The compeer program is based on the premise that “changing a life is as easy as being a friend.”Compeer began in Rochester, N.Y., 35 years ago to provide friends whose support enhances the quality of life, improves the ability to cope with stress and fosters mental wellness.To apply to be a Butler County compeer, contact Elaine Callihan at callihan@pacompeercoalition.org or call 724-287-7090.
