RHINELANDER (WJFW) — Some people can feel isolated and trapped due to mental health issues and substance use. To help bring a natural form of connection, the Oneida County Response Team held a free picnic Friday afternoon alongside Boom Lake.
The Response Team was made up of the Oneida County Health Department, Human Services and Rhinelander Police Department. Oneida County Human Services Peer Support Coordinator, Erika Kleinschmidt, said the events help people find a natural form of connection.
“The events that we put on help with creating community and connection and having that natural support system outside of their in residential treatment or outpatient therapy,” Kleinschmidt said. “They can still have all that but they can make those natural connections at our events.”
The response team holds events like this every month. Free food, games and even boat trips on Boom Lake were just some of the fun thanks to nonprofit “Let’s Go Fishing.”
“It’s very important that we put these events on because were helping people understand that they can have fun while being sober,” Kleinschmidt said. “It’s really just hanging out and having a good day at the park.”
The picnic also had a resource board for information on who to call during a potential crisis. Next month’s event is Yoga at Pioneer Park on June 23.