PROGRAMS HELP IMPROVE OUR MENTAL WELL BEING

Today people are placing an increasing emphasis on physical well being. But equally important is the state of our mental health. Studies suggest that 20 percent of the population will need mental health services at some point in their lives. That demand for service grows to 35 percent for those over 60. That's why quality mental health services are so important.

We are fortunate that Cape Girardeau is home to an extensive offering of mental health programs. The largest area provider of mental health services by far is the Community Counseling Center. Headquartered in Cape Girardeau, the center serves clients in five counties: Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve. It operates with an impressive $3.2 million budget and staff of 90. The center has been designated by the state as the administrative agency for mental health services in this area. About 60 percent of its budget comes from state contracts. Another 15 percent comes from the county mental health tax.

The full-service center spans the spectrum of mental health programs - from crisis intervention to outpatient therapy to the Family Learning Center. The center treats about 2,400 people in a year's time through its outpatient programs. They also treat about 300 hospitalized patients each year.

Other top flight local programs include:

- Gibson Treatment Center, which offers comprehensive substance abuse recovery and detoxification for men and comprehensive outpatient treatment for men, women and their families;

- Lutheran Family and Children Services, a private not-for-profit group, which provides education and counseling.

- The Family Counseling Center, based in Kennett, which provides substance abuse treatment for expecting women, and those with children.

- Cottonwood Treatment Center, a mental health program for youths. A new foster program, administered by the Community Counseling Center, is seeking area families to serve as a transition for those who "graduate" from the Cottonwood program, and are returning to life back in the community.

- Southeast Missouri Hospital offers short-term, in-patient care for patients with acute psychiatric problems. The more severe, or long-term cases, are treated at the Missouri Mental Health Center in Farmington.

A number of area doctors also offer private mental health services and programs.

Shortages in state resources have shifted mental health emphasis to home-based services. That means programs like those of the Community Counseling Center have grown in importance and scope. Center officials point out a year of psychiatric treatment in an institution may run more than $30,000 as compared too $5,000 for home-based services.

Cape Girardeau's services are far more comprehensive than most communities our size. That means people with mental illness can remain at home and receive quality treatment. We pay tribute to these programs during Mental Health Month, and commend this full-service care that improve our mental well being.