Approximately 40 University of Michigan students and Ann Arbor area residents attended an open house event at the Mary A. Rackham Institute on Friday afternoon. The event celebrated the opening of MARI's new location at 210 S. 5th Ave. for the University Psychology Clinic and the University Child and Family Center. MARI is comprised of his three clinics: the Psychology Clinic, UCCF, and the University Language and Literacy Center.
MARI was founded in the 1930s through a $1 million endowment fund from Mary Rackham. It was originally known as the Institute for Human Adaptation and took on its current name in 2014. MARI currently provides mental health services and programs that address language and literacy development for children and adults. In addition to offering clinical training programs.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily prior to the event, MARI Senior Director Christine Asidao said MARI's new home for mental health services will increase visibility on campus and allow both clients and staff to thrive. He said space would be provided.
“We're within walking distance to campus, but we're more downtown, and we have an entire building dedicated to the mental health clinic,” Ashidao said. “It fits what we need, not only as a clinical service, but also as a training institution. We are training the next generation of clinicians, so this space will accommodate the variety of things we do. Perfect for activities.”
Mr. Ashidao opened the event with a land acknowledgment and afterwards expressed his gratitude to the participants who came to the open house event.
“On behalf of my talented team, I would like to thank you for joining us today to celebrate the move of MARI’s Mental Health Clinic to its new home: the Psychology Clinic and the University’s Child and Family Center.” Ashidao said. “You may have also noticed some of our custom Illustrated Him stickers that include the question 'Do you know MARI?' From today onwards, you can answer that question with confidence. I hope so.”
Megan Fessler, MARI Clinic and Operations Manager, said at the event that planning the move to the new office reaffirmed her belief in the importance of mental health care.
“This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the specific needs and challenges facing mental health clinics than I had as a clinician,” Fessler said. “Mental health clinics require sensitive, nurturing environments that prioritize the health and well-being of both clients and staff. …Oversight of this movement will strengthen the important role our clinics play in our communities.” It has reinforced the role of the public and the importance of providing quality mental health services for all.”
Rackham Dean Michael J. Solomon said MARI's new home will help the university better address the mental health and well-being of the community.
“MARI bridges the university and community in a truly unique way,” Solomon said. “This location, within walking distance of campus and downtown, is perfect for maintaining that bridge. The university and community are connected in so many important ways, not the least of which is the There is an important relationship between university staff, students, faculty and staff families.”
At the event, LSA fourth-year student Alina Lim told The Daily that the internship at MARI was extremely enriching for her as it allowed her to gain experience in the field of mental health services, which many other undergraduate students do not receive. He said it was something he did.
“Typically, as an undergraduate student, you don't have a lot of opportunities to see and hear cases and hear graduate residents and experienced clinicians talk about cases and brainstorm and troubleshoot cases.” says Mr Lim. “This means we can get a behind-the-scenes look at how clinicians come up with the best course of treatment for their patients.”
Ashidao said she is grateful to the MARI team and looks forward to seeing what MARI accomplishes in the future, despite the current challenges in accessing services for mental health and language and literacy development. told the Daily.
“There has been so much demand[for these services]that we are really grateful to be able to help with the training. …to truly meet the call to provide excellent services in terms of mental health and language and literacy. We need the next generation of clinicians,” Ashidao said. “That's why both MARI's educational activities and clinical services are so important.”
Daily staff reporter Eilene Koo can be reached at: ekoo@umich.edu. Daily Staff contributor Lyra Wilder contributed reporting to the article.
