COVID-19 postpones counselor’s retirement

BY Ariana Shah

Rita Bendlin was on the cusp of beginning retirement when the pandemic hit.

Rita Bendlin poses next to a table full of photos, letters and books she has collected over the years as a Dual Diagnosis Counselor.

“There was chaos everywhere, especially for those who struggle with mental disorders and addiction,” Rita said. “I knew that I’d regret retiring and that I had to continue my journey of helping the vulnerable.”

Rita works out of her home in Canyon Lake as a Dual Diagnosis Counselor. In 2005, the Friday Flyer published an article on Rita. The article was about her experience as an intern for a suicide hotline.

“This pandemic hurt the underbelly of our society more than we would like to think,” Rita said. “I’m only a 74-year-old woman. But if I can save one person, I can save them all. I want to help these folks get back to a sense of normalcy.”

Rita’s daily routine consists of constant phone calls from those who are feeling suicidal, and she works to calm them down and bring them into therapy. But, to Rita, love never fails.

After Rita ended her career on the hotline, she created Works of Heart in her home in 2009. Rita and her husband built their home in 1988 and have lived there ever since.

“I left being a cosmetologist at the age of 48 to work with the hotline because I knew I have the ability to help others,” Rita said. “I also always have an open ear, which being a cosmetologist definitely helped develop that!”

Rita believes that the birth of her triplets has inspired and motivated her to help save lives.

“I fought tooth and nail to birth my children,” she said. “But, unfortunately, they were born prematurely and didn’t have a high chance of survival. Now they’re happily in their 50s. I remind myself that if I could save them, I can save others.”

Since the 2005 Friday Flyer article about Rita was published, the times have drastically changed.

“There’s a silver lining from the pandemic that has given me confidence,” she said. “I see life as a positive gift; it forces families to be together and heal.”

Rita’s clientele consists of people under the age of 40 years old. Many of her clients are from the Canyon Lake community and surrounding areas.

Not only does she work as a counselor, but she is also a member of the Riverside Mental Health board.

“I work in the Behavioral Health committee,” Rita said. “I advocate for criminal justice and proper housing for the vulnerable. I work to integrate these folks back into society.”

After an intense day, Rita likes to de-stress.

“I like to sing to opera or sing along to Stevie Nicks,” she said. “I also like spending time with my seven grandchildren from my four children.”

As Rita continues on her journey, she reminds herself and others that it doesn’t matter who you are, as long as you are honest and true.