ALUMNI INVOLVED has for therapy and with problems,” instituted socialization says PAAG four hand to any center, par- program involved ticipant at any time of the day or night, wait until daylight. A loosely-knit group of ex-patients of the them veterans years of ‘people psychiatric case worker, Cary Stark, a 1968 graduate of Weber State. The program is unique in the country in ‘the fact that it is almost exclusively run by former mental patients. The board of directors is made up entirely of consumers or ex-consumers of mental health services. Many participants were hospitalized in the now-abolished Northern Utah Unit of the State Mental Hospital now located in Provo. Another feature of the program which sets it apart from others like it in the country is the 24-hour service provided to participants through the ‘round-the-clock professional back-up team of one nurse and 4 case worker at the County Mental Health Center. and ~~ om playing sessions ‘“‘We contact several hundred of the most with each other while, at_the same time, helping them create the norms and values found in everyday society.” are Four PAAG and Two PAAG residential centers, with the first housing eight men and the second providing care for about eight women. The clients in these centers receive help with various kinds of mental health problems. At PAAG Three, transient and troubled women offer therapy, treatment and socialization which create a sub-culture for the PAAG participants and, at the same the activities, chronically isolated people in the county,”’ says Mr. Potter. ‘“‘Many of them don’t have the social skills to get along in the world, so we provide a place where they can get along As a result, says Kirby Potter, PAAG director, the Salvation Army donated a Center Health the Mental building; provided a telephone ‘‘and lots of coffee,”’ and PAAG became an incorporated, nonprofit organization. The four centers which evolved from the for original residential-type program to become workers and nurses, many of whom claim masters degrees and years of experience. PAAG One has 20 to 30 regular participants. ask for some central spot where these former mental patients and others with problems of many kinds could gather. to adjust Potter. of types a day as can and other similar programs are blended with group and individual therapy with case named Jack Clark approached the administrator of the Weber County Comprehensive Mental Health Center in 1970 to time, help them society, says Mr. various bingo, guitar lessons of hospitalization, formed the organization which later became PAAG. An ex-patient centers operated participants back again at the end of the day. Games of former Northern Utah hospital unit, some of many in is now providing social contact and recreation as well as treatment for their problems. Buses bring the patients from home and take them helping to solve problems that simply can’t of One where ll PAAG helping i es Sete See Center, their PAAG can extend Through this service, PAAG A significant number of Weber State College alumni are involved in helping people with problems in the Ogden area through an extensive and community somewhat unique program called Problems Anonymous Action Group (PAAG). Working with agencies of the Weber County Comprehensive Mental Health —" With Problems’ Program Aids ‘People larger men, most with alcoholic problems, find a “bed and provision for their physical needs” plus some guidance to help them get the to change in programs involved direction of their lives, says Mr. Potter. Types of Crime This center, located on 24th Street, serves as an alternative to incarceration for many before Those who of the participants. drifted into various types of crimes in- volving drunkenness and loitering can now spend the time at the center where pool facilities tables and other recreational provide involvement with others and with counselors equipped to guide them toward useful activities. Mr. Potter says studies indicate that the rate of arrest among men who participate at PAAG Three has been cut 65 percent in a three month period. The participants are also guided to other agencies which offer A problems. help for their particular “contact center” located on 25th Street also serves to channel people with problems to other helping agencies. Got Advice The board of directors has received ad- vice and guidance from the County Mental Health Center and from the Division of Family Services since its conception in 1970. However, says Mr. Potter, the board is becoming progressively more autonomous, making more of its own decisions and holding ‘‘members only” meetings to form policy and programs for the four centers. | Staffing the unique program as Casey workers or nurses are the following alumni Mike Mecham, Robert of the college: Doman, Scott Pope, Guy Holt, Glen Kiester, Betty Brown, George Monson, Brenda ————— = | | SEMIGLOSS Interior ee White ee tenets REMODELING one of the PAAG centers in Ogden are two participants, Bill Bowman (left) and Lee Foster. The PAAG program is design- ed to offer help to people with all problems. (Photo by John Shupe) kinds of Higginson and Robert Strand. “Our program takes the former mental health patient out of the hospital on a 24 hour per day basis,” says Mr. Stark. “Day. and residential centers offer ‘round-theclock treatment and help to alcoholics and persons whose only environment has been the “skid row” or lonely ‘stay-at-home at| mosphere.” | ©