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Updated: June 19, 2022 @ 8:04 am
Serving Boone County Since 1891
Health professionals Amber Nunes, Alex Choi and Carrie-Ann Jordan created the non-profit Zamwell to provide resources for those struggling with mental health.
Courtney Ward, Psy.D., HSPP, clinical psychologist from Woodview Psychology Group, shares information with community members.
Laura Weaver, MA, LMHC and program director at The Cabin in Zionsville shares valuable information with residents of Zionsville.
Health professionals Amber Nunes, Alex Choi and Carrie-Ann Jordan created the non-profit Zamwell to provide resources for those struggling with mental health.
Courtney Ward, Psy.D., HSPP, clinical psychologist from Woodview Psychology Group, shares information with community members.
Laura Weaver, MA, LMHC and program director at The Cabin in Zionsville shares valuable information with residents of Zionsville.
Back in 2018, Zionsville nurse practitioners, neighbors and friends Amber Nunes and Carrie-Ann Jordan started a conversation that has resulted in a community-wide initiative to offer resources and education regarding mental health.
“We were hearing about losing youth to suicide and decided to get ourselves trained,” Nunes said. “We know how to identify a stroke or perform CPR and were frustrated at not knowing how to prevent this.”
The two took an initial class and then continued taking courses, becoming certified trainers and teaching classes in the community through the Eagle Recreation and Enrichment Foundation, Inc.
“We had a great turnout and taught about five classes through 2018 and 2019. Others began asking for classes like Boys and Girls Club employees, Future Farmers of America counselors and even concerned parents,” Nunes said. “In 2020, we weren’t able to teach our classes in person but we also saw that we needed to do more than teach the class. This is more than suicide, it’s depression, anxiety and other mental health struggles.”
Part of the issue when it comes to mental health, she said, is the silence.
“We are missing some obvious stuff,” Nunes said. “We’re so scared that we’ll say the wrong thing, that we don’t say anything at all. If your child had cancer, you’d share it with everyone and the community would rally around you. You’d have all sorts of meal trains, prayers and support. But mental health is difficult to talk about and we often create this ‘shame circle.’”
As mothers and active members in the community, Nunes and Jordan soon became the go-to girls when neighbors and friends had questions.
“I think once people knew we were talking about our training, we were able to serve with a sense of trust and confidence. Other moms knew we were working on this and open to those difficult conversations,” Jordan said. “At the same time, we recognized we had a lot of resources to share and I think nurses in general are a trusted people. It’s a combination of all of this that gave people the sense that they aren’t being judged. It takes a certain vulnerability to say, ‘I don’t know what to do.’”
In 2021, as things began to pick back up after the pandemic, the women met Zionsville Town Council member Dr. Alex Choi, anesthesiologist and a vocal supporter for mental health wellness. Together, they created an official non-profit.
Zamwell has a mission to share resources, educate others about mental health and build empathy and understanding within the community.
They began scheduling public conversations on topics ranging from trauma and addiction to fostering calm in young people as they navigate stressful situations.
“We started working on resources. Many are just trying to find the information. As nurses, if it’s difficult to know what questions to ask or to find a therapist, social worker, physician, etc. then imagine how challenging it has to be if you don’t have those connections,” Jordan said. “In addition, we realized what was not available.”
The three founders of the non-profit have big dreams for the future, including legislative changes.
“We need policy change,” Nunes said. “This issue is important and it trumps politics. Psychology hasn’t been as well-respected in medicine in the past and I think that’s because of stigma. We need to pay psychologists better because we’re devaluing the importance of mental health. There aren’t enough of them to help the people that need them. We say, ‘see a therapist’ and there’s a five-week waiting period for your appointment.”
The subject of mental health is complex and there is a range of struggles, but the founders of Zamwell are determined to continue the conversation.
“This is an organization that hasn’t been done before,” Jordan said. “The right people had to come together and collectively we can bring resources and strengths to the table. It’s really quite remarkable to be able to talk openly about the gaps in the system and the data and the facts that our community needs to make their own appraisals.”
Early warning signs that should cause concern include:
“If you have a family history of mental health, you really have to pay attention and get help early,” Nunes said. “We don’t wait until we’re stage four to find an oncologist and this is no different than any other health maintenance.”
Visit the website at https://www.zamwell.org for a list of resources and upcoming events. In July, the organization plans to look at college students and the issues surrounding mental health when life changes drastically.
Mrs. Doyle was born on November 19, 1932 in Monticello, Kentucky to the late Marshall Ragan and Etta Hicks Ragan. She is preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Clarence Doyle.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 21, 2022 from 4-7pm at the Palomino Ballroom, located at 481 S. 1200 E. Zionsville, IN.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 21, 2022 from 4-7pm at the Palomino Ballroom, located 481 S. 1200 E. Zionsville, IN.
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