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PIER Recovery Community Center offers free resources for mental health


PIER Recovery Community Center offers free resources for mental health (WKRC)
PIER Recovery Community Center offers free resources for mental health (WKRC)
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NEWPORT, Ky. (WKRC) - The mental health crisis is worsening as COVID-19 cases continue to surge, but free resources are available in the Tri-State.

The PIER Recovery Community Center, located in Newport, offers more than 20 free support groups each week for those struggling with mental health disorders and substance abuse.

“People really need that face-to-face interaction with people,” digital marketing strategist Martin Warne said. “There’s a saying out there: the opposite of addiction is not sobriety; it’s connection.”

The support groups meet in-person, which peer support specialist Jessica Miller said is key.

“That interaction is what people need,” she said. “The support. Meeting people. Finding out that there are other people out there who suffer through the same situations and issues that they suffer through.”

The support groups cover a wide variety of issues people might be facing, from domestic violence to anxiety and depression.

“You’re learning new habits, learning people’s strengths, learning about support groups, learning how you need to put your tools in your toolboxes,” Miller said. “It’s a range of everything.”

The PIER Recovery Community Center helps people get back on their feet.

“It’s our job as peer support specialists to get them connected to as many resources as possible,” Warne said. “For example, if someone is without a job, we have pre-employment and employment services here where we actually help people get connected with careers.”

For those struggling with addiction, peer specialists offer help in a variety of ways. While some use the harm reduction approach, others might abstain from drugs and alcohol entirely.

“We just believe that there’s really no one way for people to find sobriety or wellness with their mental health,” Warne said.

The PIER Recovery Community Center is a program of Mental Health America, and in 2019, was granted $300,000 to provide these services.

“The best part is these services are no cost,” Warne said. “We don’t bill insurance and there are no cash co-pays. Just walk in – anyone – because we’re all inclusive. We believe all people find recovery.”

For more information, you can go here.

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