Mental health crisis: MCMHA improves services, receives clinic certification

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News
·3 min read
In March 2023, the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority began offering mental health support services at the Benesh Building, 428 S. Monroe St. in downtown Monroe.
In March 2023, the Monroe Community Mental Health Authority began offering mental health support services at the Benesh Building, 428 S. Monroe St. in downtown Monroe.

All this week, The Monroe News is looking back at some of the stories and photos of 2023.

MONROE — In February, Lisa Graham, Monroe Community Mental Health Authority chief executive officer, announced plans to address mental health support and programs in Monroe County were underway.

Reported earlier: Monroe Community Mental Health Authority announces actions to improve services

In March, MCMHA issued a list of actions to improve access and timeliness of behavioral health services and to promote the availability of those services to the community. In the process was a mobile crisis unit, expansion at the Benesh Building for scheduled intake/access appointments, mental health first aid training for staff, a universal referral form and providing a certified peer support specialist in the Orchard East community.

Since launching July 1, the mobile crisis unit has responded to more than 120 requests. As of Oct. 1, the unit has been operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Reported earlier: Monroe Community Mental Health Authority crisis mobile unit up and running

Lisa Graham
Lisa Graham

“We are responding to calls throughout Monroe County with an average response time of 30 minutes," Lisa Graham said in a written statement. “In addition to the initial follow up, our crisis mobile team follows up with individuals they have encountered — within 48 hours and then again at seven days following initial contact.”

In the fall, Monroe Community Mental Health Authority announced its new Certified Community Behavioral Health certification (CCBHC) with all services offered through MCMHA on Raisinville Road and in the Benesh Building on Monroe Street.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

Services include mental health and substance use disorder services. CCBHC clinics are required to provide nine critical services, according to federal criteria provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The services include: Crisis mental health services, including 24-hour mobile crisis teams, emergency crisis intervention services and crisis stabilization; screening, assessment, and diagnosis, including risk assessment; Patient-centered treatment planning or similar processes, including risk assessment and crisis planning; outpatient mental health and substance use services and outpatient clinic primary care screening and monitoring of key health indicators and health risks.

Along with targeted case management; psychiatric rehabilitation services; peer support and counselor services and family support and intensive, community-based mental health care for members of the armed forces and veterans, particularly those members and veterans located in rural areas.

Graham said the CCBHC certification reflects MCMHA’s dedication to meeting stringent national standards for the delivery of integrated mental health and substance use disorder services.

Assisting people in need of mental health support, Monroe Community Health Authority Evaluation Admission Specialist Alex Saleh explains what takes place at the office located in the Benesh building in downtown Monroe.
Assisting people in need of mental health support, Monroe Community Health Authority Evaluation Admission Specialist Alex Saleh explains what takes place at the office located in the Benesh building in downtown Monroe.

“As a CCBHC, MCMHA will continue to expand its range of services, ensuring individuals and families receive comprehensive, coordinated and evidence-based care,” Graham said. “The certification further positions MCMHA as a leader in the mental health field, committed to advancing standards of care and contributing to the overall well-being of the community.”

Graham said throughout the year, the MCMHA Community Coalition met and achieved several outcomes including expanding the number of agencies participating in the universal referral form which allows agencies to alert MCMHA when they are aware of any individual who may need mental health services.

The referring agency completes the form and sends it to MCMHA who follows up with the individual within 24 hours.

Participating agencies include the Monroe County Opportunity Program, Disability Network, Salvation Army Family Shelter, Monroe Housing Commission, Monroe County YMCA, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe City Police, Paula’s House, Fairview, Selah's Center and Monroe County Health Department’s Maternal and Child Health Services.

MCMHA also partnered with the Salvation Army to develop and implement an intensive outpatient treatment program for individuals with opioid use disorder and co-occurring substance use disorder/mental health disorder with little criminal history.

“The goal of this program is to intervene with individuals who are charged with misdemeanors and engage them in services early before they are involved in more serious crimes,” Graham said.

Individuals who participate in the program will receive six weeks of group therapy through the Salvation Army, followed by after care services through MCMHA for six months.

— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Mental health crisis: MCMHA improves services, receives clinic certification