LAKE HAVASU CITY – Believe it or not, there used to be a time when parents of children suffering with mental health had few to no resources at all. The early 1980s was when a loving parent of a child struggling with a mental illness decided to change some of this. That individual was Sue Gilbertson when her son was medically diagnosed for having mental illness.
Gilbertson sought answers with the medical community. But her investigations fell flat, as the conventional medical community of the era did not have the necessary tools needed to provide assistance.
Soon Gilbertson would come to realize that she was not alone in her struggle. She found herself meeting other parents and families facing similar challenges. Gilbertson began to make strides to bring these families together to create an organization that would improve the behavioral health of their children. By 1987, a support group for families was formed.
The meetings eventually led to Mentally Ill Kids in Distress (MIKID). The level of interest was astounding, and the needed funding flourished in rural Arizona. Today, MIKID is a licensed outpatient clinic that is also a nonprofit.
With locations in Kingman and Bullhead City, the clinic began branching out their outreach in Lake Havasu last year. They hosted crisis prevention training classes in an effort to provide their support to families in need.
Now parents of the Lake Havasu community have a chance at weekly safety nets with MIKID’s parent support group. The meetings have much more to offer than just parent support. It’s also a much needed assistance for grandparents, guardians, and caregivers.
The MIKID meetups have created a healthy inviting environment for guest speakers, community field trips, and activities. Their parent support group meets every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aquatic Center. All meetings are free to the public.
The beginning of the journey to seek guidance might seem overwhelming at first. MIKID Director Patrick Winters is a firm believer that their services are much needed in every community. Winters is also the parent of a child who struggles with mental health and knows that progress is in fact possible.
“Witnessing the transformation between parent and child is truly incredible and we hope to see more stories of families recreating their unions in the years to come.”
Visit mikid.org to learn more about their programs and services.
Phaedra Veronique
