Friends of Loudoun County Mental Health Inc

For 56 years Friends has operated as an all volunteer organization in Loudoun County. We spend 95% of our funds directly on our programs. Our flagship assistance programs are A Place To Call Home and A Helping Hand. They prevent homelessness by offsetting housing expenses for Loudoun residents who are receiving therapeutic care from Loudoun’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and who are ready to live independently but who cannot afford to pay full rental or utility costs in Loudoun.

The following note from K.T. arrived as a surprise in our mailbox. He expresses appreciation for the help Friends of Loudoun Mental Health has given him with his housing finances as he works to recover from mental illness. Mental health problems directly impact people’s ability to earn enough money to be self-sufficient, and therefore not end up homeless and living on the street.  Support from Friends has reinforced K.T.’s own sense of compassion for others. He is currently exploring the possibility of becoming a peer mentor to other Loudoun neighbors who are living with mental illness. What a poignant example of how Friends make a difference.

Dear Friends of Mental Health,

I am writing to thank you for your check and all you do to help people like me in society.

It’s very comforting to know that you not only care, but are helping to make this world a better place for all of mankind alike!

Sincerely Yours, K.T.

K.T. is 40 years old and lives in Leesburg. He has been recovering from bipolar disorder for many years and has been receiving therapeutic services from Loudoun County Mental Health Residential Services (MHRS) for several years. He has had involvement with the justice system, resulting primarily from homelessness. He now pays what he can to share a low-cost apartment, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health pays the remainder of his rent directly to the landlord. K.T. enjoys living independently and is very motivated to keep his apartment as he continues to work on wellness issues.

Another wonderful benefit of A Place To Call Home is that all three stakeholders – the consumer of mental health services, Loudoun County’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse services, and Friends of Loudoun Mental Health – contribute toward recovery without duplication of costs and services.

Friends has many other assistance, awareness and advocacy programs:

Representative Payee – Volunteers help manage the finances of MHRS consumers who are not able to handle their own money effectively.

Friends Being Friends – We offer special connections in the form of social events to people disabled by mental illnesses. They are often discriminated against, and this stigma can cause them to become isolated within their own families, neighborhoods and places of employment.  Like any of us, people who are working to recover from mental illnesses need social support and friendships as part of their daily lives.

In Our Own Voice – Friends sponsors this unique, free-of-charge public education program in which two trained mental health consumers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illnesses and achieving recovery.

Hike With Hope – This combined party and hike takes place each fall for consumers of mental health services, friends, family and the public. This outreach program helps affirm the importance of knowing about and understanding mentall illnesses as well as embracing and supporting the recovery process. The Hike is open to the public at no charge.

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