FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Going through her own traumas growing up, Sofia realized that it was important for people to have mental health support. Now, she is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist with a passion for compassion for self and others.
“I’m taking care of myself. I’m practicing self-compassion,” she says. “There’s so much empowerment in that instead of feeling like I don’t know why I feel this way.”
Sofia also knows that finding mental health support isn’t always easy or affordable. This is one of the reasons why she volunteers to help others through Spark the Change Colorado Mental Health Program.
“I think a good first step is to continue to make it accessible,” she says, adding, “This is where you can talk about those things without worrying about how it’s going to be answered, we’re here to to have compassionate sensibilities. for you.”
Every year, Mental health program connects more than a thousand people with free counseling and mental health services. In most cases, this is six to ten free group or individual sessions.
“We hear all the time that people probably wouldn’t have gotten mental health care if not for being involved in this program,” says Kelly Groen, statewide director of Mental health program.
Kelly says volunteer clinicians like Sofia provide valuable care to those in need for things like trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss. According to Kelly, Sofia sets the bar very high in this regard.
- To learn more about Spark the Change, Click here
- To learn more about their mental health program, Click here
“She’s already helping the community in her profession in her day job,” Kelly says. “But to go the extra step to remove the barriers for people to access this care by providing it for free. It’s just incredible.”
Sofia believes that talking more about mental health will encourage people to seek the support they need.
“Just as we go to the doctor’s right check-ups, we need to prioritize our mental health and so I really encourage people to seek it out.”
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