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Column: Helping People with Serious Mental Illness live their best lives.

St. Patrick’s Day at The Club on Sinawoy. Contributed photo

By Peter J. Tesei

Greenwich, Connecticut is a community with an enduring commitment to provide and care for those less fortunate. Beginning in November of 2021, I commenced serving as the Executive Director at Pathways, Inc. and began witnessing first hand, the compassionate work our professional staff provide through our client centered housing and life-skills educational programs, for adults with severe and prolonged mental illness.

The demand for our programs and services is greater than ever. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2020 there were an estimated 14.2 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). This number represented 5.6% of all U.S. adults. Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of (SMI (9.7%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (6.9%) and aged 50 and older (3.4%).

Pathways operates four residential programs with two requiring 24/7 supervision, two with case management support, and a day program. Our goal is to help our adult clients establish their individual path to independence and live their best lives. In June of 2022, Pathways welcomed Gayle Paquin, LCSW to serve as our Deputy Executive Director and Clinical Programs Manager. Gayle brings a wealth of experience to our Pathways clients having worked for the Connecticut Departments of Social Services, the Department of Children and Families as well as several notable Fairfield County based non-profit agencies. Gayle oversees our clinical team of dedicated social workers trained to help clients develop the life skills essential to independent living. Our services extend far beyond our four residences and our day program to clients living in the community through the Mental Health Waiver and the Community Support Program (CSP).

Pathways receives referrals for services from the Town of Greenwich Department of Human Services, from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, through local providers, families and individuals seeking services. Through our collaboration, we offer highly skilled services to address some of the most severe cases of mental illness. Often, these residents have limited income, little to no family engagement and require our support to meet their daily living needs. We provide a lifeline to a network of community resources and a daily respite at our day program in Cos Cob that operates Monday- Friday, 9am to 2pm. This connection to the community is vital for our clients to heal and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.

The plight of the mentally ill has grown during and post pandemic and those afflicted are often left to fend for themselves and wind up homeless, incarcerated or sadly die due to neglect. Pathways provides a safe-haven for these vulnerable people to receive the tender loving care they deserve, to build the skills that support independence, to grow meaningful friendships, community connections, and person-centered pathways to recovery.

Forty years ago a mother’s love for her son sparked the flame that became Pathways. Renee Bigler’s (Pathways Founder) words below reflect her love and devotion to her son and others with chronic mental illness.

“I can’t expect you to understand the pain the families of the mentally ill endure – I hope you never have to. But, this is not a decision to be made based on emotion, but rather a practical one. These people cannot, and must not be discriminated against because they are afflicted and different. They must have the opportunity to piece their lives together with the companionship and support of others struggling as they struggle for some sense of dignity….I personally believe we are our brother’s keeper, and in some way we must, if we are able – be held accountable”.

Pathways primary funding sources are from the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Medicaid income for our group home, client fees and fund-raising. Despite these resources Pathways is in need of additional funds just to operate on a break-even basis. The cost to operate and maintain our buildings has escalated and placed a demand on our finite resources.

If you wish to learn more about us please visit our website, https://pways.org and contact me for a visit. On March 31, we are hosting a fundraiser at the Capital Theater in Port Chester, NY featuring the band WILCO. We have a limited number of tickets available and welcome you to join us for a night of Music and Change to benefit the clients at Pathways and to raise awareness for our program, and be part of our team, to reduce the heavy stigma attached to those inflicted by severe and chronic mental illness. Help us continue to provide the hope, dignity and compassion our clients deserve.

Peter Tesei is the Executive Director of Pathways Inc. and previously served as Greenwich’s First Selectman for 12 years (2007-2019). His public service spans 32 years as a former RTM District 9 Chairman and Board of Estimate & Taxation Chairman. He presently volunteers his time as the Chairman of the Board of Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and as a Board member of the Greenwich Council of Boy Scouts.

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