Mental Health Committee hears from new group

In in its regular first Thursday meeting at Healthy Nevada, the Mental Health Committee heard from a new local provider, received an update from Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and reviewed a class being offered in July.

While only six were on-hand for the meeting, the group’s chair, local psychologist Dr. Tricia Bridgewater, reported she had been in touch with many who were not able to attend and brought their input on various topics.

Attending were representatives from On My Own, Inc., Heartland Behavioral Health, Compass Health (Pathways), local providers and a new agency, Full Health Wellness.

“While for the size of our town, Nevada does have a fairly good range of providers for various types of mental health and substance abuse situations, I think all of us realize the need is such that we really could use more,” began Bridgewater as she introduced Jenny Wright, Clinical Director of Full Health Wellness.

Saying they provide substance abuse counseling along with group sessions, peer specialists and in-home community support visits, Wright said Full Health Wellness is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit which began in June of 2018 but received its first contract with the Missouri Department of Mental Health in April of this year.

The group serves those who have been “clean” from one day, up to six months.

“We’re focusing on those who are struggling to break the addiction and stay clean,” said Wright.

In order to accommodate employment schedules, group and individual sessions are in the evening but can be adjusted to meet individual needs.

She said terms of her agency’s state contract mean services are provided at no-cost for those ages 18 and above; no insurance is needed. Each client is allotted up to $2,500 per year of services.

“Depending on how intensive the need and the number of services they use that will provide about six months of free services with us,” said Wright. “That’s often long enough to make a real difference and beyond that we will refer them to other groups for ongoing support.”

Wright’s own professional background included nine years with the Comprehensive Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation (CSTAR) program and familiarity with the youth side of that initiative.

“Eventually, we’d like to secure a contract to provide similar no-cost services to those under 18 because we know the need is there,” said Wright.

Saying her agency is partnered with Allied Mental Health with whom they share a building at 210 S. Elm St. – in the old Elm Street Baptist Church, opposite the Casey’s on Austin – she said they already have seven clients and have room for plenty more.

In providing a monthly update on CIT, Amanda Fisher, who is employed with On My Own, Inc. and is a volunteer with the area CIT council, expressed her gratitude to Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) for its renewed participation in council meetings.

“Steve Branstetter (chief executive officer of NRMC) gets it; he knows how important CIT is,” said Fisher. “And so it’s huge that again we have representation by the hospital and especially the Emergency Department since they’re often the place that does the screening when law enforcement observes certain behaviors.”

Fisher went on to describe recent changes to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. She used the example of a minor displaying certain behaviors and is brought in to the Emergency Department by law enforcement.

“It used to be that if there was a need to transport the minor to another facility, say Heartland here in town, the parents were permitted to do so,” explained Fisher.

A change in EMTALA rules means an equal level or higher level of transport is now required. She said this was brought to the area CIT Council and because representatives of all pertinent agencies were at the table, they were able to come to a mutually acceptable decision.

“So, in this case, from now on, Vernon County Ambulance will handle the transport of such patients,” said Fisher. That’s a great example of how CIT gets beyond each agency just protecting their own turf and instead irons out problems and promotes inter-agency cooperation.”

While the committee will not meet in July, Bridgewater reminded the group of the upcoming four week class in July entitled “Taking Care of You: body, mind and spirit.” This program is being put on by the University of Missouri Extension and Healthy Nevada. The four session program will meet on July 10, 17, 24 and 31, from 10 a.m. to noon in the meeting room at Healthy Nevada, located upstairs at 212 W. Walnut. While there is a cost, all are welcome to sign up at inbox@healthynevada.net.