November 19, 2015

For Immediate Release

Contact: Patty Vasquez
772.569.9788, ext 16
Patricia@mhairc.org

Its Ok to Get Help!

MHA Announces 2015-2016 Board of Directors Executive Committee, New Members

Vero Beach, FL The Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association in Indian River County elects 2015-2016 Executive
Committee:
Karen H. Mersky, Ph.D.
Clay Pierce
Richard Yarborough
Barbara Horne
Kathie Pierce

Chairperson
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
At-Large

The Board of Directors also recently welcomed four new members:

Jamie Bell, President and Founder of Complete Trust Insurance, Vero Beach, FL
Maureen Nicolace, President, Nicolace Marketing, Inc., Vero Beach, FL
Kim Marcil-Wieleba, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), in private practice in Vero Beach, FL
Richard Yarborough, former Interim Business Manager, St. Edwards School, Vero Beach, FL
New board members are joining continuing members:
Sam Block, Attorney, Block & Scarpa, Attorneys at Law, Vero Beach, FL
Todd Heckman, President, Estate Planning Advisors, Inc., Vero Beach, FL
Barbara Horne, Retired Nurse Executive, Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach, FL
Chet Kaletkowski, Retired President & CEO, Inspira Health Network, Southern New Jersey
Katherine Kirk, Attorney, Vice President, Legal for Daland Corporation, Wichita, KS
Anne Lanier, Retired Educator, School District of Indian River County, FL
Karen Mersky, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, in private practice in Vero Beach, FL
Nancy Ofstie, Retired Educator, Philadelphia, PA
Kathie Pierce, Retired Philosophy Professor, and Philanthropist, Vero Beach, FL
Clay Price, CPA, Clay Price and Associates, P.A., Vero Beach, FL
Joshua Shipley, M.D., Primary Care of the Treasure Coast, Vero Beach, FL
The Mental Health Association in Indian River County (MHA) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to
providing immediate access with no barriers to mental health care. The MHA has been providing services within

820 37th Place, Vero Beach, FL 32960

MAIN 772.569.9788 FAX 772.569.2088
www.mhairc.org
A United Way Agency An Affiliate of Mental Health America

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the county since 1978. In 2007, it opened a Walk-In Center, located at 820 37 Place, in Vero Beach. The Walk-In
Center was designed to reduce emergency department visits for mental health services at Indian River Medical
Center (IRMC), and to reduce psychiatric hospitalizations at the Behavioral Health Center. An immediate mental
health screening, case management, and crisis intervention services are available to anyone who presents at the
Walk-In Clinic, regardless of ability to pay. Additional mental health services including psychotherapy, case
management, and psychiatry services are available for clients with health insurance and uninsured clients on a
sliding fee scale beginning at zero dollars. The Walk-In Center also offers educational classes for anger
management, anxiety, depression and domestic violence. Mental health screening, psychotherapy, and psychiatric
services are provided by licensed mental health professionals or professionals in training, working under the close
supervision of licensed mental health professionals. The Walk-In Center is open Monday Thursday from 8:30 am
5:00 pm and Friday from 8:30 am 11:30 am and 1:30 pm 5:00 pm.
The MHA also operates three Drop-In Centers, located in Vero Beach, Stuart, and Okeechobee Counties. The DropIn Centers are peer-operated, recovery oriented environments in the community that provide a safe, friendly,
supportive and confidential place where people with severe and persistent mental illness can go and not be
judged. Open 365 days of the year, the Centers are designed to empower members to change the quality of their
lives. The members are respected and offer peer support to one another. Recreational and social activities are
offered to all members to promote a supportive and empowering atmosphere as members actively participate in
their recovery.
The Executive Director of the Mental Health Association is Robert J. Brugnoli, Ph.D.
For more information on the Mental Health Association in Indian River County, please call 772-569-9788, ext 16.