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Date: 2/22/2023
WILBRAHAM — Sometimes, people need a hug. “In those moments when a human hug is not available,” Kimberley Lee said, “they can have a teddy hug.”
Lee, chief of creative strategy and development at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, is spearheading a teddy bear drive to collect donated stuffed bears for patients at the center who could use some comfort.
The idea for the teddy bear drive came when a patient requested one. Lee said Director of Social Work Brenna Sorel asked Lee if she had a teddy bear she could donate. With Lee’s daughter’s permission, she donated one of hers. “The patient was so happy,” Lee said.
This got Lee thinking about how many patients could use something comforting while undergoing in-patient treatment. “They will never take the place of a human connection,” she acknowledged, but said a stuffed animal can be soothing and, for some, recall memories of a time when life was more “simple.” She said they also serve a sensory purpose, as the bears are soft and plush.
Lee reached out to Michael Margolis of Margolis Orthodontics and suggested partnering for a teddy bear drive. Lee, whose family are patients at Margolis Orthodontics, was familiar with community work Margolis had done in the past, such as clothing and food drives for the Community Survival Center in Indian Orchard.
“People want to give back to the community, but they don’t really know how to do it,” Margolis said. “Mental health is a great area that needs attention. I think our patients want to support it, too.” He said that while perspectives are beginning to change, there are still stigmas around mental health challenges that do not exist with physical health issues. He added, “There’s still a long way to go.”
Lee said, “Mental health is health.” She added, “We are grateful to Dr. Margolis and the many patients of his practice for launching this drive and we invite the community to participate. We recognize in the work that our staff does every day at MiraVista that mental health care is as important as physical care to a person’s well-being and the importance of supporting anyone seeking help for mental and behavioral health issues that are interfering with their daily life.”
Margolis said roughly 70 percent of his patients are adolescents, but he sees both teens and adults who are struggling with mental health issues.
MiraVista Behavioral Health Center has about 16 adolescent patients, who can range between the ages of 13 and 17 years old, and 50 adults in its care. The center is working on expanding its capacity to 88 people.
The teddy bears will be distributed to adult and teen patients when requested or otherwise helpful. Some of the bears might also go to young family members who miss a loved one that is getting treatment at MiraVista Behavioral Health Center.
The drive will run until Feb. 28. Bears can be dropped off at Margolis Orthodontics, 3 Crane Park Dr. Wilbraham, or at a collection box in the front lobby of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center, 1233 Main St. in Holyoke. Contact Lee at 264-3042 or Klee@miravistabhc.care to learn more or to donate a bear.