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About

“I have a voice! You have a voice! It's time to look beyond and be stigma free!”

- Read more about Michael’s story

Mission

  • The mission of the #LookBeyond campaign is to reduce stigma and increase understanding, support and positive attitudes toward people throughout Kalamazoo County who are living with and/or are affected by mental illness, substance use disorders or developmental disabilities.

  • With the input and help of people receiving ISK services and our community partners, we will offer events, learning opportunities, resources for schools and businesses, volunteer opportunities and more to help everyone in Kalamazoo County #BESTIGMAFREE.

“ISK is proud to have provided direct service to thousands of individuals for over 50 years. #LookBeyond is a community-wide effort to help reduce the stigma many individuals have reported experiencing. We believe #LookBeyond will not only help improve quality of life for the people we serve, but for the larger community as well.”

– Jeff Patton, ISK Chief Executive Officer

Vision

We envision Kalamazoo County as a welcoming community that supports wellness of mind and body, where people with life challenges (like mental illness, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities) are heard, understood, respected, included and celebrated. 

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“Whenever we hold a negative attitude or belief that makes us label, avoid, reject, fear, stereotype and/or discriminate against others, we’re perpetuating stigma. We need to look beyond the labels, to understand and see the whole person."

–Michelle Houtrow, Program Manager of Services for Youth and Families; Project Director for Kalamazoo Wraps System of Care and the #LookBeyond Social Marketing Team

About

ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN

#LookBeyond is a project of Kalamazoo Wraps System of Care and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK). It’s partially funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

 

About Kalamazoo Wraps

Funded by a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Kalamazoo Wraps is a countywide initiative to improve the lives of youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families so they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Kalamazoo Wraps promotes a System of Care philosophy: A holistic approach that creates collaboration between youth, family, service providers, schools, counselors, friends and others. This ensures that the care provided is family-driven, youth-guided and culturally competent.
 

About ISK

For more than 50 years, Integrated Services of Kalamazoo has worked with youth, families and adults with mental health challenges, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders to help them achieve their goals. ISK provides a welcoming and diverse community partnership to share effective resources that support individuals and families to be successful through all phases of life.  ISK serves nearly 6,000 clients and is one of 46 Community Mental Health Services Programs throughout Michigan. More information is available at www.iskzoo.org or by calling 269-373-6000. ISK is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KazooCMH.