There’s a new look at The Bridge along Fourth Avenue Northeast in Austin.

The interior is receiving a makeover.

“In the eight years that the Bridge has been open, I think the use has remained relatively the same,” Scott Baduler said. “We’re seeing different people come and go all the time.”

The Bridge is located beneath the large sign on the “Boardwalk” along Fourth Avenue Northeast in Austin.

It’s a drop-in center for people dealing with mental illnesses.

Celeste LeMoss is the day supervisor at the center. Day hours are one p.m. to whenever the last person leaves Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Baudler supervises the drop-in center at other times: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“The Bridge is a place for those people dealing with mental illnesses to come and socialize,” Baudler said.

“They can make friends and have fun.”

The age range is 30 to 60 and all the visitors are single individuals.

“It’s a place for those people who would otherwise be isolated because of their mental illnesses,” Baudler said. “They don’t have to feel lonely any more.”

With increasing economic troubles piled on to the stress of work and family demands, more and more Americans are suffering.

In fact, 58 percent of Americans reported struggling in their lives at the end of 2008, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. This represents an increase of more than 22 million Americans who reported struggling earlier in the year.

During difficult times, Mental Health America wants Americans to know there are tools that can buffer the effects of stress and help them cope better with the many challenges they face.

This May, in honor of Mental Health Month, the organization is launching the “Live Your Life WellSM” campaign to provide people with 10 specific, research-based tools that can combat stress and promote health and well-being.

From relaxation techniques to journaling exercises to simple ways to get better sleep and improve eating habits, the materials offer a wide range of resources to build resiliency and well-being.

The Bridge helps its visitors build their own resiliency and well-being.

Gary Corcoran and Quality Case Management, Inc. staff provide professional services for The Bridge clients, according to Baudler.

The drop-in center provides a place to “hang out.” There is a new Wii game purchased by the volunteers after a successful winter fundraiser.

There is also a game room with pool tables and a kitchen for preparing snacks as well as laundry facilities.

The Bridge will hold an awareness walk Friday, May 29, which will culminate with a cookout for all in the Austin Municipal Swimming Pool park behind the Paramount Theatre.

The walk begins at 10 a.m. May 29 and the cookout starts 11:30 a.m.

More details will be announced later. According to Baudler, it is the goal of the center to reach out to more people.

“We’re always trying to reach out to wider audience of people, who we want to visit The Bridge and feel welcome,” he said.

There’s always a card game of Skip-Bo going on at The Bridge, while others enjoy a DVD or play the new Wii video game. The crack of pool balls bouncing off each other punctuate the background from the game room.

Someone’s always in the kitchen preparing a pizza or other light meal.

When “Jam Night” is held, the place livens-up to the happy noise of music.

And always there are people sitting around, talking and listening and isolated no more.

For more information about The Bridge, call 434-9334 and leave a message.