Pontiac agency works to clear up mental health myths

Posted on January 11, 2018
The Institute for Human Resources can provide referrals and information about mental health treatment. (WJEZ file photo)

By Cynthia Grau

PONTIAC – While mental illness still has a stigma surrounding it, people are still hesitant to reach out for help according to the head of a local mental health provider.

Reaching out for that help can seem both daunting and time-consuming, says Joe Vaughan, executive director of the Institute for Human Resources in Pontiac. Vaughn has some tips.

“Our physicians in the area are very much up to speed on psychiatry,” Vaughan said. “They’re not specialists in it but they know enough to at least start someone or make a formal referral. A lot of our referrals come from the medical field because they want to see a specialist, and once they’re stable, they take them back.”

Vaughan says staff at IHR can clear up myths surrounding mental health treatment.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected]. 

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