Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of stories profiling United Way agency providers in Northern New Mexico and Santa Fe. The profiles were developed by the Community Relations Office (CRO). The profiles will publish periodically in the Daily Newsbulletin during the Lab's 2006 United Way giving campaign.
Schizophrenia. Depression. Substance abuse. They're all in a day's work at the Los Alamos Family Council on 15th Street, one of several nonprofit groups that benefit from the 2006 United Way Campaign now under way. Few clients can cover the cost of their therapy - more than $100 an hour - so if they lack insurance, United Way funding is crucial.
"There's really no excuse for anyone in Los Alamos - even with problems like a serious mental illness-not to get help," said Cheryl Pongratz, Counseling Center director. "We never turn anyone away because they don't have the money."
Pongratz says her organization has an unusually high success rate, especially for treatment of alcohol abuse/addiction, a statistic she says helps it during a tough United Way review process. "Some clients bring themselves in because they're at the end of their rope, even thinking of suicide. When we're able to help them, as we usually are, they're often surprised at how easy it was," she said.
When asked to explain the high success rate, Pongratz points to a talented, highly-trained staff and a goals-oriented process. "When they come in, clients establish their goals. When they meet their goals, therapy is over," she said, adding, "Virtually every client says they see significant difference in their lives."
Health costs have risen astronomically in recent years, and mental health is no exception. Pointing to a stack of papers and forms on her desk, Pongratz said her organization, founded 43 years ago, sees approximately 400 clients a year, and 25 percent of them are low income. Most of the cost is covered by insurance or state funding, the rest by grants, much of the grant money coming from United Way.
"But how do you measure the costs against really helping this many get hold of their lives? Where would they be without us? What would happen to our community without us?" Pongratz asks.
Jeff Szalay, clinical director, adds, "The needs of the people in this town - that's what turns us on."
