Nelma Justin wins prestigious award

After a lifetime of community-minded work, Ms. Nelma Justin was honored with the Frank G. Clement Community Service Award. She was nominated by CHEER Mental Health representatives and chosen from numerous applicants by the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations.

“We don’t know why we waited so long or didn’t think of this before,” said regional director Jane Stewart. “Nelma has given her life to this community. She is why we have a CHEER Mental Health facility.”

Back in the 1950s, Justin had some visionary ideals about what might be done to alleviate the neglect of mental illness patients. She had always been disturbed by how little was being done for the mentally ill and retarded individuals from her personal experiences with a mentally ill half-sister and a mentally retarded half-brother.

“We kept bringing my sister home from the hospital, she just paced in her room,” said Justin. “We tried everything we knew to do but she just kept going back in the hospital.”

This was a turning point for Justin. She saw the need for treatment facilities to accommodate and aid in treatment and the financing necessary to provide competent, knowledgeable and well-trained personnel.

“Ms. Justin set her goals and never wavered,” said Stewart. “The need for a facility weighed heavy on her heart.”

Remembering things she had learned from her work with church missions programs, Justin organized a group to interest others in mental health needs, and to secure facilities and funds to accomplish this difficult task.

The organization was called “CHEER Mental Health Association.” CHEER stands for “Christ would Care; with Hands and Heart; and Eyes and Ears.” With all the work people have done, Justin thought there could not be a better name.

The organization had displays, sold crafts at fairs, held a celebrity basketball game, quilting bee and Archie Campbell came to McMinnville to perform. Justin dressed up as a bunny rabbit for an Easter fundraiser. Justin’s brother and other volunteers went door to door collecting membership fees.

The road set for Justin’s goals encountered a few bumps along the way but through it all, she persevered.

“There was a real problem getting people to understand what we were trying to do,” said Justin. “I remember leaving a meeting and sitting in the car crying because I thought my husband would make me quit working. He thought I was going to be sick from tying so hard. I didn’t want him to know I was crying. I shed a lot of tears but there have been more tears of joy since all the wonderful things have happened.”

CHEER was chartered and its operation began in April, 1970. There was not enough money for an office, so it began operation in Justin’s living room. A secretary was hired but there was no money, so Ms. Justin paid the salary out of her own pocket until a budget and funding could be established.

“I don’t know anyone else who would do something like that,” said Stewart. “She worked day and night to raise awareness and funds, then she gave up part of her house and money to get this organization going. She is a remarkable woman.”

The Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations awards and recognition ceremony was held Dec. 1 at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. The award is to recognize excellence and outstanding achievement within the behavioral health industry.