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An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older
about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable
mental disorder in a given year. Mental disorders are the leading cause
of disability in the U.S. and Canada.
PLAN of North Texas is meeting the needs of people that live with a mental
illness by providing a unique and comprehensive program.
Plan is unique in the Dallas area, because it offers not only a wide array of
activities and comprehensive support but we really offer an entire community for people
and for people with mental illness one of the things that they’ve lost is that aspect of community.
33 Plan is a very unique organization in that it provides therapy sessions, it provides housing,
it provides socialization, it provides educational outlets,
it provides field trips, it provides so much for people with mental illness,
and it provides their families a way to feel they’re contributing
PLAN provides skilled psychotherapy and case management as a
support structure for clients. Social workers meet clients
in their home or at the PLAN office and assist with day to day living needs,
including financial concerns, stress management, medication,
developing healthy relationships and more.
They also provide vital psychotherapy. This quality care helps
to prevent relapse and enables clients to lead
more productive, meaningful lives.
Education and socialization programs for its clients further enhance their
lives, by helping them learn how to best cope with their illness,
develop appropriate social skills, and increase their network of friends.
Most of these programs take place at the Iris Place Community Center,
while others take place on special excursions into the Dallas area.
What I like most about plan is just an organization, a place where
where I can go and be around my friends,
I’ve made a lot of friends at PLAN, and I feel supported there.
I know at, towards the beginning of my recovery especially I didn’t feel safe anywhere outside
of the mental health community.
…the professionals of PLAN truly see the potential in each one of the PLAN members
and have hope for them, regardless of how sick they are.
The professionals of PLAN, the staff of PLAN, truly think recovery is possible.
And I’ve seen it in many, many clients of PLAN, go from very sick to very productive.
PLAN gave my sister her life back, and it gave me my sister back.
We really weren’t able to have a relationship when she was ill.
And we couldn’t find an organization or anyone that would help us.
When we found PLAN, we found that she was able to participate with a sense
of purpose in life again. It’s made a world of difference to us.
The CET program, or Cognitive Enhancement training Program at PLAN is a very unique
and cutting edge technology that they have really pioneered and brought to North Texas…
it offers a chance for those afflicted with severe mental illness
to have true rehabilitation of the brain… with this additional training their recovery
can become more complete. It’s been very successful in helping many
PLAN clients reach the next level of functioning, returning to work or school,
or just managing their daily lives much better.
…made a big difference in my life. I think I relate to people better today. My cognitive skills have improved,
and I’m more confident in social situations.
In addition to its programs, PLAN is growing with new and exciting projects.
They recently opened the Recovery Resale Shop. The purpose of the shop is to provide
vocational training for people that live with a mental illness while raising funds for PLAN.
I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve worked at the Resale Store, and I think that I’ve learned a lot.
You know before I really got involved at the store, I was afraid to leave my apartment,
I was afraid to go grocery shopping, for someone who one day wanted to be a counselor themselves
it was a good thing for me to learn how to interact with people again.
PLAN also provides affordable housing, with 18 one-bedroom apartments at Iris Place.
More than 50 other clients have found housing in nearby apartments. Realizing the demand for housing,
PLAN started the Capital Campaign designed to raise funds to create
more housing and a larger activities center.
I hope the future of PLAN will include quite a bit of more housing, and a large community center
I’m very excited about the future of PLAN, I think there is so much we can do…
PLAN is making a big difference, by providing a comprehensive program full of life altering opportunities.
And they look forward to a future of growth and making an even greater impact
on the lives of those with mental illness and their families.
CC by Imagination Media.