Friendship Center

Since its inception, MIRCI has worked with those recovering from mental illness to identify areas of special need in the community and acted to meet those needs. MIRCI has always provided unique services that help to fill the gaps that currently exist in the continuum of care for those recovering from mental illness. No other Social Rehabilitation Program provides membership opportunities to all individuals with a diagnosed mental illness regardless of income, living situation (if you can find a way to attend, it does not matter where you live geographically or physically), or current treatment setting (we currently have members that are treated by private psychiatrists, Veterans Administration, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, Lexington Mental Health Center). No other day program regardless of treatment philosophy in the Columbia area serves as many individuals, 711 in 2008, as MIRCI's Friendship Center does.

The Social Rehabilitation Program's average cost per day per person in 2008 was $16.25. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health reports that it costs $450 per day to hospitalize someone in a mental health facility. Helping folks to remain in the community, with support, is a better economic investment.

MIRCI hopes to incorporate more peer support in the Friendship Center. The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) supports the role of peer support, stating, "NMHA believes that peer support is a unique and essential element of recovery-oriented mental health systems. Peer support programs provide an opportunity for consumers to direct their own recovery and advocacy process, and to teach one another skills necessary to lead meaningful lives in the community." Friendship Center is the place where many folks learn necessary skills; MIRCI is determined to provide members with opportunities to do so.

Research into the program indicates that 85% of members were able show improvement in their ability to live independently in this community. Members were able to improve their knowledge on signs and symptoms of mental illness - 94% reported improvement in their understanding of their illness. Of the members who participate in the Friendship Center (regularly, for at least six consecutive months), 90% were able to achieve at least one short-term goal. These results are remarkable and laudable.

The Friendship Center program, while in existence since 1960, has grown into a program that meets individual needs for so many of our neighbors in the Midlands. As a community, we can be proud of the efforts of this program to help folks on their path to recovery.

For more information, please call (803) 786.1844 or email us at mail@mirci.org.