WESTERN MASS. – With mental illness on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic mental health resources across the state are spread thin and seeing higher demand including the National Alliance of Mental Illness Western Massachusetts (NAMI-WM) offices.

Bernice Drumheller, the interim president with the NAMI-WM office, said as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts and the rest of the country is facing a mental health crisis.

“We are in a time of mental health crisis. There is a demand for more professionals for people in search of care and support. We have seen many people for the first time experience depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation and this needs longer treatment and support,” she said.

One of the larger concerns that Drumheller pointed out is that people suffering the most do not have friends and family to rely on.

“The ones that are hurting the most are the ones that don’t really get family support or have friends that actually care. A lot of times the stigma prevents them from reaching out too. If you have a family member who is very supportive, it is completely beneficial,” she said.

Currently, NAMI-WM offers two separate online programs, including a peer to peer one, and the family one that Drumheller said she oversees.

“We have two support groups for peers, which are the people that have a diagnosis, and we have a family and friend support group which I facilitate. Our family to family program is a 12 week educational class,” she said.

NAMI-WM offers its family support program out of Northampton, Orange, and Springfield, while the peer program is based out of Northampton and Springfield.

Drumheller added that one of the benefits of the family program is people can see how their loved ones are suffering.

“It is so good for people to realize through this education program what their family member is actually going through. They don’t realize how serious and how disabling mental illness is to some people,” she said.

One of the ways NAMI-WM helps those suffering with mental illness is by offering volunteer programs.

“We have a lot of the peers who we put to work. This makes them feel good and that they are accomplishing something. A lot of the peers feel insecure because a lot of them cannot hold onto full-time jobs,” Drumheller said.

Because mental health resources are spread so thin, Drumheller said people from all over the state are using NAMI-WM’s services.

“We are the largest affiliate in the state. Now that we are able to do things virtually, more people from other parts of the state are reaching out to us to join the group. Anybody can join from across the state,” she said.

Drumheller said one of the biggest concerns going into 2021 and beyond is a lack of place for children and young adults dealing with mental illness to go.

“There is an extreme need for a hospital that will take youth. With Providence Hospital closing, we have to send youth out to the eastern part of the state. Families have to travel long distances to see children and that is very upsetting,” she said.

Along with a lack of a location for children suffering from severe mental illness to go, there is a shortage of mental health professionals in the state.

“There is a great demand for professionals. Number one, we do not have enough psychiatrists in this state. It’s a long wait to get a psychiatrist. There’s a shortage of therapists and professionals,” she said.

Drumheller added that people are frustrated over the current state of the mental health treatment system in Massachusetts.

“I get calls from families every day, they are all upset with the mental health system in general. They are saying there is a problem with the system because it is hard to get care for our loved ones,” she said.

Anyone seeking help for mental illness for themselves or a loved one can call the NAMI-WM office at 786-9139.