Wellness House Assists Mental Health Needs

More than two dozen gathered Thursday morning at Wellness House, 280 S. Harrison St., East Orange, for a one-year anniversary of the mental health outpatient treatment and support service center.

"We provide services, such as counseling and support services, for severe or persistent mental health issues," said Meagan Khoury, assistant director of development and communications at Family Connections, 395 South Center St., Orange, the parent organization who runs Wellness House. The Wellness House is funded through the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services.

Susan Elko, Wellness House manager, said the organization wanted to show the community that Wellness House can help.

"We wanted people to see the space, meet some of the staff and ask questions to, 'What are some of the things we do here,' " she said. "We offer medication monitoring groups, individual sessions, family work and a lot of variety."

West Orange Councilman Victor Cirilo said Family Connections supports the Orange area and West Orange's Valley neighborhood, working with township residents.

"There is a degree of need for these services in the area," he said. "I'm chairperson of the neighborhood preservation program in the Valley, so I've gotten to know the demographics of that neighborhood and I can see how these types of services can go a long way."

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., said the county helps fund Family Connections.

"We've been very involved by supporting the needs that are here," he said, "as well as all the programs that go on here ... we're a partner."

Paula Sabreen, executive director of Family Connections, said the Wellness House is vital to the community to help ease mental health needs.

"Consumers come several times a week for several hours a day to participate in a range of activities," she said. "It's an effort between staff, families and the individual so they can achieve their full level of independence."

Sabreen said the Wellness House makes every attempt to resemble a home.

"We want to create an environment ... that feels welcoming to people," she said.