Jen Schmuhl is an integral member of the CMHC Staff and someone you should know

The mission of Sertoma Centre is to provide opportunities that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve personal success. This mission is carried out through many different programs and services, but without the staff dedicated to supporting our Consumers, these successes could not be achieved. Today, we would like to introduce you to one of these staff members, Jen Schmuhl.

Jen is an Integrated Health Manager with Sertoma’s Community Mental Health and Counseling (CMHC). In this role, she leads Care Coordination efforts across CMHC, including coordinating and facilitating psychiatry services for Consumers. She also serves as Sertoma’s lead clinical liaison to managed care organizations (MCOs), Integrated Health Homes (IHH), and The Illinois Health Practice Alliance (IHPA).

While the position of Integrated Health Manager is new for Jen, she is not new to Sertoma. Jen has worn many hats and been in numerous roles in the ten years she has been with Sertoma, all in service to our Consumers. Her penchant is any position in which she can help advocate and assist people, especially those who might struggle if they were not provided with assistance and direction by our agency.

A people person by nature, the opportunity to get to know, work with, and help Consumers and Staff members is very fulfilling for Jen. She is most proud of the psychiatry services she helps link our Consumers too. She explained, “I am grateful for and inspired by the Consumers and Staff that are a part of our agency. I learn so much each and every day; I am truly grateful to be a part of such an amazing agency! Quality psychiatric services are very scarce, and I am happy that I am a part of the coordination and efforts that go into offering this service to our Consumers.”

Jen strives to help expand mental health services/outreach and to educate the community about mental health. “I could go on and on about the services that CMHC/Sertoma offers. However, it is truly the employees that drive the amazing programs/services we offer to the community.” She feels CMHC strengthens the communities it serves in so many ways through the comprehensive and quality programs offered to communities that need it the most. Adding, “Sertoma is one of the very few Community Mental Health Centers that offer quality and free programs and services to the community. And our community education program does an amazing job of providing education seminars that strengthen the community.”

“I wish people would be more open-minded about individuals with mental illness. There is still a huge stigma in our society about individuals with mental illness. Every day I try to break down this stigma by educating the community about all of the amazing services we offer and the Consumers that take part in these programs. Recovery really is possible, and people can change if given the chance!” said Jen.

Given how busy her time is at Sertoma, people are usually surprised to know Jen has also worked at Starbucks for over 16 years. She always jokes that she is a Mental Health Advocate by day and a Barista by night. But thanks to this connection to Starbucks through Jen, Sertoma’s CMHC was a recipient of a $1,000 Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grant.

“Train your mind to see the good in every situation”
believes Jen

Jen enjoys participating in Yoga and aspires to obtain her Yoga Teacher training certificate someday. And if she could have a superhero power? She would choose to heal the sick. That, and the ability to be in two places at once. Jokingly saying, “I am so busy and would love to be able to duplicate myself so that I can accomplish more.”

Her mantra is “Train your mind to see the good in every situation,” and she treasures the time spent with family. And although Wisconsin with her mom is a favorite place for Jen, you may have to look for her in a warmer climate when she leaves Sertoma. Hopefully, that will be decades from now, as her contributions to helping the Consumers at Sertoma is invaluable.