By Karen Ridder
Breakthrough House helps make Topeka a great place to live for people with severe and persistent mental illness. The local non-profit helps keep Topekans in their homes and prevent the kind of devastating isolation that many people with mental illness face. Executive Director Danette Tipton explains how their work helps make Topeka/Shawnee County healthy.
Who does Breakthrough House serve?
Last year, the Breakthrough House served over 750 people with mental illness. Active since 1978, the organization has four core services. The compeer program serves children with mental illness by pairing them up with a mentor to learn basic life and social skills. There is a residential program which includes four group homes as well as independent living apartments. One of those group homes serves Veterans. The payee program helps people stay in their own homes by providing assistance to manage the payment of their bills and utilities. The fourth program is the Breakthrough House Clubhouse which is a daytime gathering place. People can learn basic work skills such as clerical, cleaning or maintenance skills. They have a kitchen, automotive and retail unit. Members also go on fieldtrips, and make some vital connections, “A lot of people start isolating when they are mentally ill. The clubhouse breaks that by building friendship and helping them socialize,” explains Tipton.
How does the Breakthrough House help make Topeka a good place to live?
“I think helping provide a solid positive good quality of life for people with mental illness makes Topeka a better place, particularly for that population. They tend to isolate. We have a lot of things that keep them active and out and not feeling lonely,” says Tipton. From a dollars perspective, the organization also tracks hospitalizations. They feel their program helps keep people out of the state hospital because they are providing services that help keep people from having as many health breaks. Tipton points to the Payee program especially as one that helps maintain people in their homes – directly preventing homelessness. “We make sure the basics are paid so they can manage their money better,” explains Tipton.
Why is the Breakthrough House involved with Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods?
The Breakthrough House is working to emphasize physical health issues and concerns with their clients. They started a “Walk Kansas” challenge this year, (http://www.breakthroughhouse.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94&Itemid=73) to remind people to stay physically active. They have also reworked the meals they serve at the clubhouse and residential programs to try to include more fresh fruits and vegetables. Tipton says this is an issue that often comes up when their clients are struggling with physical illnesses like diabetes along with their mental illness. Other clients, like those with depression may tend to be less physically active as well. Tipton says staying healthy is an important part of keeping mentally well. “Your body and your mental health are so connected,” says Tipton.
What strengths does Topeka/Shawnee County already have that make it a great place to live?
Tipton believes Topeka/Shawnee County is a friendly place and feels fairly safe to people. “Just kind of a small big town,” she says. “I don’t see that mental illness is as much of a stigma here, either. It’s a more positive place for someone with a mental illness to live.” There are good agencies that provide a good quality of life for someone with a mental illness.
How can people in Topeka/Shawnee County make this a healthier place to live?
“I think if they continue what they are doing, even with Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods, promoting Complete Streets and making streets walkable and bikeable,” suggests Tipton. A lot of the people served by Breakthrough House walk. So, the Complete Streets initiative to build more sidewalks and bikeable roads will help.
The Breakthrough House Clubhouse has experienced a 10% increase in attendance this year.
Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods 
Leave a comment