Minnesota Hoarding Task Force

   On Sunday, October 27th, 2019

We will be at a Public Showing of the new movie

"Beyond Hoarding" 

The showing will be held at :

Bethany Lutheran Church

2511 E Franklin Ave 

Minneapolis, MN 

Time:  1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Admission: Free or Donation

 Come view a national documentary on the effects of hoarding told through the eyes of three individuals who have struggled with hoarding. The viewing will be facilitated by a Twin City therapist, Karen Eckstrom MSW, LICSW who specializes in hoarding along with a panel discussion with two local women who are successfully coping with hoarding.  

  Beyond Hoarding takes a fresh look at hoarding and the people who can’t stop collecting stuff. The film guides the viewer to an understanding that hoarding is a psychiatric disorder that can be treated. It addresses key questions: When does clutter become hoarding? Are hoarded homes dangerous? Why can’t people just clean out their houses? How can someone who hoards get the right kind of help to stop? Top mental health experts answer these questions about this surprisingly widespread problem that afflicts millions in the U.S. alone. Most moving are the five people in the film who suffer from hoarding disorder to different degrees—one eventually stops hoarding and reclaims her life; two people struggle to get rid of their overwhelming amount of clutter and keep it out; and two face deadly consequences. This film also captures the distressing impact hoarding has on the family and friends of a loved one caught in the grip of this compulsion.

The Task Force meets on the first Thursday of the month:

+  To conduct business of the group,

+  To network with each other and visitors,

+  To  share educational information in short presentations.

While there is some general information on our website, you may contact us for additional information for a specific situation. We are developing lists of resources and we can share ideas with you also.

Email: mnhtf.org@gmail.com

Confidentiality:  

Our volunteers keep your information confidential. 

Disclaimer: 

The Minnesota Hoarding Task Force (“MNHTF”) does not provide services directly. MNHTF does provide resources and information regarding the general subject of hoarding. In doing so, MNHTF does not endorse, recommend, warrant or assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process. 

WHEREAS: Hoarding disorder is a behavior characterized by four criteria: the acquisition and failure to discard of a large number of possessions; clutter that precludes activities for which living spaces were designed; significant distress and impairment as a result of the hoarding; and impact on public safety; and

WHEREAS: Hoarding is a mental health disorder found to be related to difficulty in coping with a stressful life event, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, eviction, or losing possessions in a fire; cognitive deficits; and genetic vulnerability; and

WHEREAS: It is estimated that between two and five percent of people in the United States hoard. When the effect upon family members and communities is taken into account, the problem becomes even greater; and

WHEREAS: People with hoarding disorder often do not see it as a problem, making treatment challenging. However, intensive treatment can help people with hording disorder understand their compulsions and live safer, more enjoyable lives; and

WHEREAS: Cleanouts done without accompanying therapeutic intervention can pose a tremendous financial burden on individuals, families, government agencies, first responders, and communities; and

WHEREAS: Increasing public awareness of hoarding disorder will benefit local government agencies, individuals and families affected by hoarding behaviors, and communities across Minnesota.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2019, as: HOARDING AWARENESS MONTH in the State of Minnesota. 

One of the important things that we have learned about hoarding is that a team  approach is needed to properly deal with any hoarding situation. No 'one professional' can provide all the services and support that a hoarding individual needs.

The team of professionals might include some combination of:

therapist

support group

professional organizer

social worker/case manager

cleanout company

public health

city/county inspector

fire department

Others may also be involved, such as a landlord, church pastor, junk hauler, handyman, cleaning service, or family/friends.

New numbers on the ground from people who help with hoarding situations now indicate that up to 5% of the population in the United States are hoarding at some level. That means in a community of 10,000 residents, up to 500 people could be hoarding.

Add to that number the people who also live in the same households, family and friends of the person who are hoarding, and their neighbors. That is how many people are affected by hoarding!

Hoarding disorder is a public health and safety issue.

As we build our resource lists, we want to cover the entire state of Minnesota. If your business already works in hoarded homes and you would like to be added to our resource lists, please come to a meeting and introduce yourself.

We would like to learn about what you do, and what your experiences are. It is important to us that you can support our mission statement and vision statement.

Hoarding is a mental health disorder, and those who struggle with it must be treated with respect and care.