Greencastle Presbyterian unveils community room for mental health

Greencastle Presbyterian Church and Lifeline Youth & Family Services are partnering together to open a new space for mental health providers and other community groups this Friday, March 1 at 2 p.m.

Local community members are invited to celebrate the ribbon cutting and to see the new space at the church, located at 653 S. CR 100 East, Greencastle.

The Community Resource Room arose out of numerous conversations around the importance of mental health in the community, including work groups like the Putnam County Community Foundation has done around area needs.

“What we began to hear,” Pastor Wes Kendall noted, “is that our mental health providers like Cummins or other organizations don’t always have the space to meet with clients, especially when schools are on break. So some of those meetings were just happening wherever they could like at the park. Our thought was just to create a room for therapists, life skills coaches and others to use as needed.

“As we were coming up with the idea, I texted a church member who works for Lifeline Youth & Family Services,” Kendall added. “She said they had just literally been talking as a team about the need for a physical space in our community. That’s when you know it’s the right thing: When the need and the opportunity just come together so clearly.”

The room opening comes at an optimal time for Lifeline, too. As a faith-based organization aimed at bringing hope to families facing challenges, Lifeline has recently received funding to expand its mental health services, including offering group therapy in Putnam and neighboring counties.

West District Manager Sarah Wilkinson is excited about how all of this is lining up.

“Our community is thankful to have such a great location and support to be able to provide services to our local youth,” Wilkinson said. “Lifeline is excited to continue bringing hope and change to youth within the Greencastle community.”

While the church and Lifeline are partnering together, the hope is that other groups will be able to utilize the space. The newly renovated room will have a coffee bar station and sink, free Wi-Fi, charging stations and couches and chairs on one side of the room, as well as tables and chairs on the other side.

Those interested in reserving the room are invited to reach out to Greencastle Presbyterian Church at 653-5713.