Member Spotlight: Gail Schoenbach
In 2001, I started my recovery from a 24 year battle with bulimia. I established the F.R.E.E.D. Foundation, a non-profit organization to assist families with financial support for treatment, advocate for a public awareness campaign and provide educational resources for eating disorders. Over the years, I have shared my story with national magazines, various television programs and other media outlets, all in the hope of promoting treatment and recovery and reducing the fear and stigma surrounding mental illness. Treatment for some was supplemented, but the health insurance obstacles and lack of financial support make it difficult for many to access treatment for mental health illnesses. So, I focused more the advocating for needed state and federal legislation for eating disorders and mental health.
Mental Health Directs allows me to expand on my personal experience with mental health struggles. I received my certification as an Adult/Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor from the National Council for Behavioral Health. The course teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses, addictions and crisis response. I am a certified suicide prevention gatekeeper from the QPR Institute and a compulsive gambling counselor. Mental Health Directs offers tailored coaching programs for company management and employees, education administrators and staff, camp directors and counselors or any group or community wanting to better understand mental health disorders. MHD offers private counseling with searching for resources or professional help.
The Co-co came to my attention last year by a member and was a great fit for me on so many levels. I needed a place to go work outside of my home office, where I could be around other people, looking to build their businesses too. I am taking advantage of so many of the Co-co’s support opportunities - networking, meetings and webinars. Working at the Co-co allows me to focus by increasing my productivity and decreasing my procrastination.