Page 45 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2025

And what better way than through an art class? Once a week, the Respite House offers an Art for Wellness class that allows participants to explore their creativity and express their emotions through various art mediums, even if they don’t have any art experience.
The Respite House is a voluntary, short-term, overnight program that provides community-based, non-clinical support. Trained and certified staff also have experienced trauma or extreme states.
Available free of charge to Mississippi residents aged 18 and above, the Respite House features a range of additional wellness experiences run by certified peer support specialists including meditation, wellness workshops, journaling, and music. A resource library and one-on-one consulting sessions with a supporter to discuss personal wellness goals, challenges, and strategies are also available.
Although the Respite House is a standalone resource, it falls under the umbrella of the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi.
Kimberly Barta, director of programs at the Mental Health Association, said there are a lot of exciting classes, workshops, and programs happening at both facilities. The Opal Smith Drop-In Center is one of the main programs at the Mental Health Association and is for anyone over the age of 18 who is living with a mental health challenge and is also run by certified peer support specialists.
Participants for the drop-in program must be able to care
for their own needs such as feeding themselves and using the restroom. The drop-in center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with breakfast and lunch included.
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“It’s just a safe environment for them,” Barta said, adding drop-in members also have art classes led by staff, and their main art activity is led by well-known Gulfport artist Vicki Miller, who uses recycling as an art form.
“Vicki has been a long-time supporter of MHA in so many different ways,” Barta said. “She comes in every month and does an art project with our members. They just love her and always look forward to seeing her.”
Other outreaches include the PATH program or Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness. Certified peer support specialists find people in the community who are experiencing homelessness and have serious mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders.
“Our biggest focus is working with them to better their situation,” she said. “And get them set up with housing, any medical or mental health treatment they may need, and any benefits that they should be receiving.”
Community education workshops are also a focus including the WRAP or Wellness Recovery Action Planning. The Mental Health Association hosts sessions for folks to learn wellness tools and stress management such as ways to stay well and find controllable triggers to prevent a situation from breaking down. The free workshops are open to anyone who deals with stress, anger, anxiety, or other difficult feelings.
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of experiencing mental or emotional distress or crisis, you can reserve a free stay at Gulf Coast Respite
House by calling 228.207.7039. You can also
reach the Mental Health Association of
South Mississippi at 228.864.6274.
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