By Josie Sellers Beacon Editor

More and more people are recognizing the need to take care of their mental health, which is leading to a high demand for counseling services in the area.

“ We currently have a long waiting list,” said Renee Fleming, an LSW counselor with Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices Flight School.“ We are seeing more self refers than we ever have.”

To help get people in quicker, they are offering different types of educational groups, along with case management, peer support and social skills groups.

“ I think sometimes people shy away from a group setting because it can be scary to meet new people; however, there are so many positives that can evolve from being with your peers,” Fleming said.

Arron Daugherty is new to

the CBHC staff, but as someone who has been through the recovery process, he knows how helpful peer support groups can be.

“ It can be hard to talk to people, but once you’ ve seen two or three others tell their story, you realize people there can relate to you,” he said.

Fleming said anyone seeking help can schedule an assessment or stop in Wednesdays during a walk-in.

“ We are booking out to August and September and try to make kids a priority,” Fleming said.“ We can make a recommendation for one of our groups though to help sooner. We’ ve tried to offer them at different times and for where we see a need.”

Fleming and Daugherty agreed they see a lot of anxiety in children, especially those in middle school.

“ People will tell you it’ s not real and it’ s just in your head, but that’ s not true,” Daugherty

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Group meetings and activities are designed to help clients of all ages.

said.“ I think the‘ Inside Out’ movies have helped some with this though.”

Both he and Fleming want to help people see they have a right to their feelings, just not always to how they handle them.

“ You can’ t just go out and punch someone,” Fleming said.

In addition to helping people keep their emotions

and actions in check, they also want to help those working the recovery process.

“ Everyone is different,” Daugherty said.“ We react to situations and cope with them differently.”

One of his jobs is to show people recovery can be fun by offering sober events and family activities. Daugherty also can help them with housing and job applications.

“ I’ m a living example that the programs work if you are willing to work them,” he said.“ The staff members here want things to change for you. This isn’ t just a job for us. We love seeing how the programs affect people.”

Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices is located at 610 Walnut St. in Coshocton. For more information call 740-622-0033 or visit www. coshoctonbhc. org.

CBHC summer groups run through Tuesday, Aug. 12. The following is a list of current programs being offered:

— Mindful Moments Jr.- DBT Skills for Kids( age 7-10), Tuesdays from 12:15-2:45 p. m., facilitated by Lindsey Griffiths, QMHS, and Joe France, QMHS.

— Mindful Moments- Adult DBT Skills, Tuesdays from 12:15-2:45 p. m., facilitated by Renee Fleming, LSW.

Dialectical behavior therapy skills groups offer a

supportive, structured space to learn and practice skills to manage emotions, reduce distress and improve relationships. Each session blends DBT skills training with calming activities such as guided art exercises, gentle yoga and mindful movement, breathing and grounding techniques, journaling, and group reflection. No experience in art or yoga is required.

You will learn to build reallife coping strategies across four core DBT areas: mindfulness, cultivate awareness and presence in the moment; distress tolerance, survive emotional crises without making things worse; emotion regulation, understand and manage intense emotions effectively; and interpersonal effectiveness, communicate clearly, assert needs and set boundaries.

— Unframed- Teen Art Therapy( ninth grade through 12th grade), Wednesdays from

See CBHC on 17