Mankato, Minnesota (KEYC) – The Program to Encourage Active and Decent Living (PEARLS) is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression.
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, VINE Faith in Action will begin offering PEARLS to people over the age of 60 in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in early 2021. The program is currently funded by a grant from the Minnesota Aging Rivers Area Authority (MNRAAA) and is expanding to include Watong One County.
Last year, a spokeswoman for the Watongwan County Local Advisory Board on Mental Health contacted Glenda Becthold, VINE’s PEARLS coach, about the possibility of expanding into counties that have noticed the need for mental health care for older adults. rice field. Becthold said she shared the request with MNRAAA, who agreed to happily help fund the expansion, which began earlier this month.
PEARLS provides confidential, quality mental health care for those who want to improve how they feel. Participants work with her PEARLS coach to create an individualized problem-solving plan that includes life-enriching activities.
Nearly 50 people have graduated from PEARLS so far. A recent graduate of the program said: I needed help moving forward. Each session helped me focus and work on my goals in small steps to create improvement. “
PEARLS sessions are $5 per session and typically consist of 6-8 sessions over several months. Meetings can be on VINE, virtual, or in your personal home. To learn more about PEARLS, visit vinevolunteers.org or call Glenda at (507) 386-5571.
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