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Mental health services offered at county agencies
SIKESTON -- Bootheel Counseling Services has teamed up with local agencies to make mental health services more accessible to even more residents in Southeast Missouri.
Through a two-year, $489,000-grant awarded by Missouri Foundation for Health, Bootheel Counseling began last month increasing public access to mental health services by placing master-level therapists in health departments, probation and parole and other social service agencies in Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard counties.
"I think what's awesome about the grant, which we're calling the Access grant, is we're making more services accessible to more people in four different areas, with transportation being one of the biggest hinderances," said Stephanie Lemmons, Access grant project coordinator. "Also, people who don't have a funding source will be able to get a service they wouldn't normally be able to receive."
Each week the master-level clinical therapists provide services, such as screenings, crisis services, consultative services, mental health assessments and counseling services at area health departments and probation and parole offices. For example, individuals who were already attending appointments at the probation and parole office and walking into the county health departments for services could see a mental health clinician at that office.
Jennifer Hartlein, director of fund development and public relations for Bootheel Counseling Services, said the nonprofit agency wanted to form stronger partnerships in the community and work with organizations that could benefit the most from the access to mental health services.
"We have a close working relationship with the Division of Probation and Parole and we already knew that there was a need for mental health services," Hartlein said.
Bootheel Counseling also wanted to go where people living in the communities already go, Hartlein said.
"The county health departments have a longstanding relationship and have built trust with their local communities," Hartlein said. "People turn to the health department for all sorts of reasons: vaccinations, well-women exams, health, nutrition and parenting information."
With the implementation of the Access grant, Hartlein said Bootheel Counseling expects to link approximately 600 individuals to mental health services in rural areas by providing services on site.
Once a mental health assessment has been completed, Bootheel Counseling expects to provide more intensive mental health services including possible medication clinic services to approximately 360 individuals, Hartlein said.
"Bootheel Counseling is thrilled to offer this program in our service area," Hartlein said. "So many times one of the biggest barriers to treatment is where to start. By partnering with these organizations, they will be able to provide that 'warm handoff' or referral to BCS staff on-site.
She continued: "There are so many barriers or reasons why people do not seek mental health services, but we are hoping this program will help eliminate some of those barriers so they may receive the mental health services they need."
For the complete story, see the Sunday edition of the Standard Democrat.
To learn more, contact Bootheel Counseling Services at (573) 471-0800 or the following health departments: Scott County, 471-4044; New Madrid County: 748-5541; Mississippi County, 683-2191 in Charleston or 573-649-5502 in East Prairie; and Stoddard County: 568-4593.