Social Saturdays

For people with a mental illness, life can be challenging at times and sometimes ordinary tasks require more focus and determination. Whether individuals wants to share their accomplishments or talk about a foreseen problem in life, they need the opportunity to associate with other individuals who can relate to their situation.

It’s a unique understanding that only peers can provide.

Optimae Life Services of Newton offers that support to people in the county with mental illness. They offer a dual support group option to help people talk, listen and learn, receiving support from others.

On Tuesdays a support group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. where attendees talk about issues their having and discuss how to overcome any struggles. On Saturdays a special drop-in session is held to coincide with its weekly support group. The drop-in is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the facility, 1730 First Ave. E.

“The drop-in center is very laid back. It’s for people who don’t necessarily want to talk about what’s been going on in their life but they want to be around people so that maybe eventually they can be comfortable enough to talk about it,” Optimae Life Services Team Leader James Jensen said.

Together, Jensen and Peer Coordinator Brent Deppe brainstorm. They discuss a monthly theme and prepare upcoming topics of discussion or activities for the group. February is relationship building, for example, and January was about goal setting.

“We’ll sit and talk for an hour each week ahead of time. Brent leads the group and talks to everyone. He makes sure everyone feels comfortable, and discusses subject matter,” Jensen said.

Other monthly topics have included avoiding isolation, anger management, budgeting, working with depression, working with anxiety, weight management, building self esteem and art therapy.

“It’s really great to work with this staff and these people. They want to see people recover and we share methods to find out what does work and what doesn’t work,” Deppe said.

Each week, attendees get together and have lunch. They play games, make crafts and socialize. The purpose of the group is support — it’s about having fun, building friendship and participating in a group.

Attendees also talk about the weekly topic and perform an activity to help learn more about the issue.

Last Saturday, the group filled out a personality assessment to learn how to better build new relationships and maintain existing ones. Assessments like this will also help individuals determine their strengths.

“I like to see them leave with a smile on their face. They say laughter is the best medicine,” Deppe said. “I hope I really help them out and it seems like they’re doing OK.”

Drop-in sessions require attendees to fill out a demographics form for the county, sign a rules form to ensure a safe environment and fill out an application — no one has been rejected, Jensen said.

Jensen and Deppe will plan a drop-in session anniversary open house for the public in April. The group has been in existence for three years and is one of the only of its kind in the state.

For more information on support groups and drop-in, call 641-787-9133.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com