On Tuesday afternoon, October 25, Tanya Glessner, owner of Upper Cut Salon, stopped into Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center’s Fort Scott office with a contribution to help make services more accessible to local residents.
“Imagine what the world would be like if people felt like they could ask for help,” stated Glessner. “I wish people could be more compassionate. I wish they could be more comfortable sharing their struggles.”
Glessner offered up all salon proceeds from the previous week as a donation for SEKMHC. She explained that mental health and wellness is near and dear to her heart, having struggled with addiction herself. “I fell into a dark hole, tried to manage my struggles by self-medicating, and found myself addicted and with a prison sentence,” explained Glessner. During her incarceration, she joined a faith-based women’s group and made it a point to help others. She talked with other women about their struggles, listened to their concerns, and did other things to assist them, like helping them file their taxes or obtain a GED. She continues to mentor individuals who are working on finding better paths.
“It’s those little steps of progress, one at a time, that help get you going in the right direction. So many people have trouble finding the help to get them started,” Glessner commented. “That’s why I wanted to do something. I know what it’s like to need help and I don’t want others to miss out on the help they need.”
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is funded through state and federal allocations, but private donations make up a significant portion of the budget. Glessner presented her contribution to SEKMHC CEO Nathan Fawson.
“We, as individuals, don’t know how to communicate about our mental health issues and concerns. It’s a very difficult thing,” said Fawson. “It’s inspiring to see someone in our community who is so passionate about helping reduce the stigma associated with talking about mental health struggles. We appreciate Tanya’s generous donation!”
About Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
The mission of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is to provide, advocate, and coordinate quality mental health care, services, and programs for people in its service area. Our vision is to improve the quality of life in southeast Kansas. We offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho, and Woodson. Our core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services. For more information, visit www.sekmhc.org.