The Red River Sun/Bev Odom
Wellington Lion Fraya Hammons, left, welcomes Tina Souder with Noemi Pena to the Nov. 2 gathering. Owner of Rolling Plains Counseling and Wellness Center, mental health awareness served as Souder’s program topic.
By Bev Odom/The Red River Sun—
WELLINGTON — Licensed Professional Counselor Tina Souder, M.Ed., shared mental wellness information with members of the Wellington Lions Club. According to Souder, only half of people with mental illnesses seek help due to the stigma associated with having a mental illness.
Lion Noemi Pena, vice president, welcomed Souder and guests Lindy, Garrett and Jaylan Thomas to the Nov. 2 meeting at 7 p.m. at the fellowship hall of the Methodist church, and introduced new member Keli Ponder.
Lions Amy Henard and Fraya Hammons led the pledges and Lion Rudie Tate offered the invocation. Lion Paul Schaub led in singing “You’re a Grand Ole Flag.” With Schaub having a November birthday, Lion Neal Odom led in singing “We Wish You a Merry Birthday.” Geney Gulley served the evening meal.
In her presentation, Souder described her counseling practice with three locations which include Wellington, Pampa and Childress. She has three associates that work with her to see 50 to 60 clients per week including some virtual visits due to COVID-19.
She gave statistics that one in five adults experience mental illness each year while one in 25 adults experience serious mental illness each year.
One in six youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. Souder listed suicide as the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34.
Souder offers individual and family counseling. She can be contacted at 806.447-0147 or visit tinasoudercounseling.com.
Sweetheart Dani Ponder thanked the Lions for sponsoring her in the Miss Wellington contest where she won a $1,000 scholarship with the crown. She expressed her appreciation for the plant in remembrance of her grandfather, Gary Killian.
Additional Lions present included Larrie Black, Nancy Harris, Bev Odom, Gene Pena, Harriett Schaub and Karon Tate.
