The Halfway House: Celebrating the Importance of Community in Supporting Mental Health

In the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Day, I want to shine a light on the invaluable work and community-building of Shalom House in my hometown of Portland, Maine. This story has a deeply personal connection to my family and my paternal grandparents, Dr. Thor Korda and Constance "Connie" (Webb) Korda. Their involvement in the community and their shared mission have inspired me and countless others to pursue careers of impact within the health and medicine space.

I hope you'll join me in reading and reflecting on the importance of community for those most in need of support, love, and care.

Let's begin with the word "halfway house." The term "halfway house" often carries negative connotations, largely due to stigma and misconceptions surrounding its purpose and the individuals it serves. Many people associate these facilities with failure, relapse, or criminal behavior, leading to a perception that they are only for those who have exhausted other options. This stigma often discourages individuals from seeking help and may provoke community resistance against their establishment, driven by fears about safety and property values.

In the late 1960s, thousands of patients with mental illness were released from hospitals during the deinstitutionalization movement and forced to fend for themselves in unprepared and often unwelcoming communities. With the creation of Shalom House, people with mental illness were offered a halfway house to ease the transition from hospital to independent living.

Shalom House began in 1972 with a belief that there had to be a safe, caring place where people with mental illness could live in our community.

Having watched his brother Torsten’s painful journey through various family member homes to mental hospitals and shelters, Birger Johnson, one of Shalom House’s founders, dreamed of creating “a place halfway between.” This sense of support, warmth, and love, combined with medical services and housing, sparked a movement.

With the help of Dr. Thor and Connie Korda, friends, churches, and Governor Curtis, Shalom House opened on High Street in Portland in 1972. Although Torsten had never seen Shalom House, his experience with mental illness helped create a safe place for others to live. Shalom House has since provided essential support and housing for individuals facing mental health challenges, dedicated to fostering stability and community by offering a safe space for those transitioning from institutional care to independent living.

Shalom House continues to be a beacon of hope and healing for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. The organization has evolved from a single halfway house into a robust network of services designed to support the community, including housing, mental health care, and creative therapies. Shalom House offers hope for adults living with severe mental illness by providing a range of community-based mental health services and quality housing options, helping people lead stable and fulfilling lives in the community.

Here's how it works:

Shalom House helps hundreds of people with serious mental illness each year by providing affordable housing where they can escape the stress of homelessness, hunger, and isolation. Once basic housing needs are met, people's lives can become more stable, and barriers to access can be addressed. For some people, these barriers include not being able to afford a safe and clean place to live. For others, it's not knowing how to navigate the complexities of the mental health care system. And for some, it's feeling lost and discouraged by our fast-paced, overstimulating society.

To accomplish their mission and shared vision, Shalom House partners with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, MaineCare, corporate sponsors, compassionate citizens, and many caring individuals who support them with time, money, and other resources. United by a common goal, clients are able to meet personal goals, receive services, facilitate appropriate treatment, and once again become a vital part of the community.

To me, this essential understanding of re-establishing balance and addressing the underlying factors and barriers leading to distress is critical. It's impossible to solve a problem without understanding the full person's needs and individual goals to rejoin the community.

In observing the wholistic approach first-hand, one of the most impactful aspects of Shalom House is its art therapy program, which serves as a crucial outlet for expression and healing for many participants. The program allows clients to explore their creative potential, fostering self-esteem and a sense of community. Participants engage in various artistic endeavors, transforming their experiences into visual narratives that resonate with others and spark meaningful conversations about mental health.

Art becomes a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness.

https://dianeatwood.com/how-art-helps-break-down-barriers-about-mental-illness/

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness, let us recognize the profound impact of organizations like Shalom House and the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to uplift those in need. Together, we can continue to break the stigma surrounding mental health and promote healing and recovery for all.

For more information on Shalom House and its mission, visit their official website​.

What's more:

My grandmother's commitment to mental health extends beyond Shalom House. Her pioneering involvement with the "Survivors of Suicide" group at Maine Medical Center highlights the importance of community support in healing, grieving, and overcoming loss. This group provides a compassionate environment for individuals and families affected by suicide, fostering connections and understanding during difficult times. While Connie has passed on to the eternal realm of peace, I reflect on the beautiful ceremony at her celebration of life.

Following her husband's early passing, Connie, a nurse by training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (we still have her uniform), went back to school to earn a Master's degree in social work, which she put to tremendous use. Serving and counseling numerous patients and families during her time leading these groups, the sense of community and impact was deeply felt. During her seaside memorial, I reflected on the profound impact her surviving patients’ words had. Amidst the family members and friends in attendance, it was Connie's "survivors" who touched me most, reminding me of the profound impact of a single life.

This ideology has stayed with me throughout my professional and academic career, leading me to incorporate a nonprofit, participate in community-based health programs, pursue career advancement, and build the tools and network to create more good in this world. Now more than ever, the task is essential.

By participating in local initiatives, communities can come together to create an environment that encourages open discussions about mental well-being. Volunteer opportunities, donations, and participation in community events can all contribute to strengthening these vital resources. When community members come together to support one another, they foster resilience and healing that extends beyond individual struggles.

As we reflect on the significance of community-based mental health services, the following NIH article provides valuable information on how these efforts enhance the support network for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Link here: Lessons learned in developing community mental health care in North America.

Important Resources

For those in need of support or facing a mental health crisis:

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) 24/7 confidential support.

The Crisis Text Line: text "HELLO" to 741741 for immediate assistance.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a helpline at 1-800-662-HELP for referrals and information.

For LGBTQIA+ youth, the Trevor Project can be reached at 1-866-488-7386.

Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers resources through their helpline (1-800-950-NAMI) and text support (text "NAMI" to 741741).

For more information, please visit their respective websites: NAMI, Crisis Text Line, and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.