Mental health resource reopens in west Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A critical resource for those struggling with mental health and addiction is re-opening its doors to the community. 

Netcare Access' Miles House has been serving central Ohio for nearly five decades, and after briefly closing for some renovations, is now ready to welcome clients back. 

"The best way I can describe it is like, being stuck drowning in a choppy ocean during a storm," Carl Millender, a former Miles House resident, said. 

That's how it felt for Millender when he lost both his business and his home earlier this year. 

"I was like depressed and all that. Ended up, a little, in a bad state," he said. 

Battling the proverbial current, Millender moved around the country seven times in April before Netcare Access provided a lifeline in Columbus. 

"I've found that most people love it when they come through our doors," Florence Arinaitwe, a Miles House Team Lead, said. 

Arinaitwe is coming up on 10 years of dedicated work at Miles House, a short-term, residential treatment facility that serves people struggling with mental health and possible substance abuse issues, like MIllender. 

"She really helped me get set up with programs, like SNAP and whatnot. Helped me find housing and helped me really get established here," Millender said. 

Miles House sits in the Hilltop, on Columbus' west side. For 45 years, the voluntary program has given clients a place to manage symptoms and deal with stress on their road to recovery. 

"We do individual counseling, one-on-one, where we're talking about coping skills, managing depression, mental health symptoms," Arinaitwe said. 

But they also focus on group work. 

"Nobody has exactly the same struggles, but it's nice to see people -- not only going through the struggles -- but overcoming that struggle," Millender said. 

Miles House offers four bedrooms with space for nine client beds as well as recently renovated common areas, bathrooms, and a kitchen. 

Arinaitwe, who fell in love with the house at first sight, is ready to welcome clients back. 

"I can't tell you the smiles we have on our faces," she said as her face lights up. "When we service clients here and we help them get back on their feet, they send us cards, they left thank you messages. Once in a while we'll hear a knock on the door.” 

And while Millender said he's still looking to put his degree to use, the difference between April and now is night and day. 

"I'm starting to stabilize. You know, build up a little bit of savings and I have stable housing," he said. 

Millender is thankful to now build from a stable foundation that Miles House helped establish. He uses the word "insane" to describe his past, but has another word to represent his future. 

"There's always hope,” he said. “The phrase I heard was 'hope springs eternal,' and you never know where that spring is going to pop up, you know? And Miles House is certainly a spring of hope for me." 

Clients often arrive at Miles House directly from Netcare's Crisis Stabilization Unit, but can also be referred by local hospitals. 

For more information on Miles House, or how to make a referral, you can contact Netcare Access at (614)276-CARE or visit www.netcareaccess.org. 

Netcare Access is a non-profit organization that provides behavioral healthcare services and promotes emotional well-being for individuals in need. NBC4's Matthew Herchik is proud board member of the Netcare Access Corporate Board.