Demopolis Times- The West Alabama Mental Health Center is one of nine community mental health organizations facilitating the Stepping Up Initiative implemented, by the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) to reduce the numbers of individuals in jails and hospitals with mental illness. The initiative has been successful in effectively establishing partnerships with law enforcement, local government entities, elected officials, mental health and healthcare providers, social services providers, courts and other partners to meet the goal of addressing and reducing the number of persons suffering with mental illness and substance abuse in jails and hospitals.
Approximately two million times each year, persons with serious mental issues are admitted to jails across the nation, and almost three-quarters of adults admitted, have drug and alcohol use problems. With the implementation of the Stepping Up Initiative, West Alabama Mental Health Center in Marengo County, has now become a part of the initiative’s expansion and purpose. To date, fifteen counties in Alabama have passed the Stepping Up Resolution, along with 498 counties in the nation, to work with local law enforcement, mental health providers, and advocates.
To expand the program, the ADMH awarded grants to several community health centers in fiscal year 2019 and 2020. The Stepping Up grantees have presented the purpose and effectiveness of the Stepping Up Initiative to a range of jails, police departments, special courts, and advocacy organizations, to name a few. The grant awardees for fiscal year 2020 are:
• Alta Pointe Health
• East Alabama Mental Health Center
• Mental Health Center of North Alabama, Inc.
• West Alabama Mental Health Center
West Alabama Mental Health Center is extending their services in this initiative and encouraging the community to contact them for more information regarding the Stepping Up Initiative.
Do you have a family member in need of mental health services and is consistently in and out of the emergency room and jail in Marengo County? If so, CALL US at 334-289-2410 or 1-800-239-2901 and let us tell you about our Stepping Up Program.
For more information on services at West Alabama Mental Health Center, and the Stepping Up Initiative, please go to www.wamhc.org.
WZDX –
The Alabama Department of Mental Health plans to ask the state for 18 million dollars for new mental health resources during the Alabama 2020 Legislative Session.
The money would go toward the building of three new crisis centers across the state. Mental health care in public schools, including increasing access to counselors, is a priority for some lawmakers going into the 2020 legislative session.
Mental health professionals right here in the valley, say this could save lives and have a positive impact on the way we all address mental health issues.
Monretta Vega, a Counselor with Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services, tells us, “So with the crisis centers, the resources and this budget– it provides the opportunity for knowledge, treatment, care and support. I feel like now we’re going to open the door for people to get the appropriate, effective treatment that they need– rather than just dealing with it themselves.”
Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to outline her goals for improving mental health care in Alabama– during her “ State of the State” address on Feb. 4.
Emergency departments and law enforcement agencies would be able to transfer their mental health patients to the centers for crisis care.
Alabama Dept. of Mental Health asking for $18 million in 2020
Exciting efforts by multiple organizations in Alabama are helping to raise awareness and capacity in the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH). Read more