CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Mental health clinic offers expanded service

San Angelo Standard-Times (TX) - 9/16/2014

Sept. 16--SAN ANGELO, Texas -- A shiny new adult mental health outpatient clinic in downtown San Angelo is geared up to serve a broader population than previously possible.

MHMR Services for the Concho Valley, like sister agencies across Texas, had been limited to treating the most severe forms of mental illness, in addition to intellectual and developmental disorders.

Now people with a host of other psychiatric diagnoses can find treatment that was previously unavailable through the Department of State Health Services community mental health clinics to those without insurance or who have Medicaid.

"We have expanded for all kinds of mental illness," said Gregory Rowe, Concho Valley MHMR executive director. "We can serve people with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, situational depression (and others). There are hundreds of diagnoses out there."

The new location also reflects a move to 202 N. Main St. from several blocks away.

"We are real excited about this new facility," Rowe said. "It is right by the bus stop and is more visible. It's triple the size of our old facility."

A local collaboration, along with some federal funding, has enabled the adult behavioral health services department to expand its offerings in the move from 244 N. Magdalen St.

The clinic is opening its doors to the greater community this afternoon in an open house from 4-6 p.m.

"Come meet our staff, take a tour and enjoy some refreshments," MHMR Public Relations Director Frances Salter said.

In moving, the clinic has gone from 3,000 square feet to 8,500 square feet and consolidates adult services.

"We are offering psychiatry, medication management and monitoring, case management and focusing a lot on recovery plans," Rowe said.

Recovery is considered the goal.

"With the help of medications and counseling and various supports, you can recover and lead a fairly normal life," Rowe said.

The clinic will house six positions, including a psychiatrist, case managers, benefits specialists and clerical staff.

Another new position is a nurse practitioner who will provide a new service to mental health clients -- primary care.

"People with mental health issues who come to our clinic who don't have a regular PCP, we can take care of their primary care health issues," Rowe said.

People with mental illness, he said, die an average of 23 years sooner because they often don't seek routine medical care.

"That's because they usually don't get care until they are extremely sick and go to the E.R. We provide preventative treatment for things such as diabetes. We can serve quite a few people and get their needs met and make a difference in our community," Rowe said.

This new offering by MHMR comes through a partnership with Shannon.

"We've been real fortunate to partner with Shannon Clinic," Rowe said. "They own the building and assisted with the remodeling."

San Angelo Health Foundation provided a grant for furnishing and office equipment.

Shannon CEO Bryan Horner said the partnership is a win-win scenario.

"Mental health is an entirely unmet need," Horner said. "Anything we can do to keep that population healthy is in our community's best interest."

The main office, which houses MHMR administration as well as intellectual and developmental disorder services, remains at 1501 W. Beauregard Ave.

Child & Adolescent Services is at 424 S. Oakes St. A future IDD clinic is under construction at 244 N. Magdalen St.

___

(c)2014 the San Angelo Standard-Times (San Angelo, Texas)

Visit the San Angelo Standard-Times (San Angelo, Texas) at www.gosanangelo.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services