Mental Health Awareness:
May marked the end of Mental Health Awareness Month. But for those affected, it can be a year-long struggle.
But there are resources available for those who don’t have insurance or are still unable to access services.
Last month, we shared how the Johnson County Mental Health Center is providing help to adults struggling with mental health issues.
This month, we’ll show you how those same services can help teens and children, especially when cost prevents them from getting the help they need.
Addie’s story:
offered
Kelly Johnson will be celebrating her stepdaughter Addie’s high school graduation this summer.
It would be a milestone event for most teens her age, but the moment was nearly ruined by serious mental health issues in high school.
“There were a lot of behaviors that were inconsistent with what she was claiming to be the problem,” Kelly recalled.
Kelly says things came to a head when she and her husband received a call from Addie’s school resource officer reporting concerning behavior that could jeopardize her school experience.
The girl then told them about the trauma she had experienced as a child at the hands of other adults.
“It opened up a whole new avenue for us. Up until that point we’d always thought we were doing something completely different,” Kelly explained.
Realizing they were dealing with something much deeper than anger issues and teenage rebellion, the family sent Addie to the Johnson County Mental Health Center, where she received treatment for about three years to address PTSD and severe depression.
Not only did it help change her life, but the price was within her family’s means.
“Anyone can stop by our open access offices in Olathe or Shawnee and request an evaluation of our services. We can offer low-cost or no-cost services to clients, but private practices often don’t take insurance and can get quite expensive,” explained Emily Stratton, a pediatrician with the Johnson County Mental Health Center.
She added that the Johnson County Mental Health Center primarily serves adults, teens and children who need more intensive treatment.
When it comes to children, she and her colleagues point out that mental health issues are more prevalent than people realize.
“So some things to look out for are poor performance in school, isolation from friends and family, behavioral issues at school and at home, loss of interest, loss of appetite, sleep problems, a variety of things,” she said.
Emily also said that if your child seems to be in distress, it’s important to get them treatment as soon as possible.
And if you’re not sure where to start, Kelly suggests talking to a school counselor, resource officer, your doctor, or even visiting the Johnson County Mental Health Center.
Finding the right help for Addie made a huge difference, not just for herself but for the whole family, she said.
“We’re all in a better place. She’s definitely in a better place. It’s great that she’s really concerned about her future and knows she can do whatever she wants with her life,” Kelly explained.
resource:
One resource that Families and JOCO Mental Health Center would like you to share is the Crisis Hotline.
Anyone experiencing a crisis, or a loved one of someone experiencing a mental health crisis, can simply call 988 to receive help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Additional resources include:
Johnson County Mental Health Center Main Line: 913-826-4200
Calling the main line is the starting point for people who want to schedule an appointment over the phone without coming in person, or who have questions about insurance, copays, etc.
Johnson County Mental Health Center Crisis Line: 913-826-0156
The Crisis Line is a 24-hour resource for mental health support. You can call with questions big and small about yourself or a loved one’s mental health or substance use. Trained local mental health professionals will answer your call to listen, support, offer guidance and share resources.
Open Access (Walk-in Service): Shawnee (6440 Nieman Road) and Olathe (1125 W. Spruce St.)
Johnson County Mental Health Center offers same-day walk-in services during business hours at its Shawnee and Olathe locations. Open Access offers mental health evaluations and connections to services at JCMHC or in the community based on an individual’s needs.
Johnson County Mental Health Center Child and Family Services [jocogov.org]
Free Parenting and Childcare Resources [jocogov.org]
Youth Behavioral Health Care Map [jocogov.org]
The Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition has created the Youth Behavioral Health Map as a starting point for parents looking for mental health services for their children, including how to recognize warning signs, know who can help, how to prepare for an appointment and understand the range of services available.
