• About the Board
  • Members of the Board of Trustees
  • History and Goals of Commnity Service
• Community Investment
  • Stewardship of Public Funds
  • About Board Funding
• Contact the Board
• Services Funded
  • Funded Programs
    • Cornerstones of Care
    • Detention Centers
    • Drug Courts
    • Family-Juvenile Courts
    • Heartland Center
    • Synergy Services
    • Beacon Mental Health
  • Profiles of Success
    • Leon's Story
    • Elizabeth
• Meetings
• Resources
  • Links
  • News
• Home Page

Everyone Needs Help Sometimes – and It's Available

One of the biggest issues reported by people dealing with mental health issues is loneliness, the feeling of being the only one dealing with this type of issue.

The facts say otherwise. Anxiety disorders, perhaps the most widespread mental health disorder in America, is estimated to impact 40 million adults in the United States 18 and older. That’s over 18 percent of the population – nearly one out of every five people in this country!

Other widespread issues are major depression and bipolar disorder, mood and eating disorders, but regardless of your diagnosis, you’re not alone. An estimated 26 percent of all Americans 18 and older – about one of every four adults – suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder each year.

There’s another widespread statistic as well: Only about 37 percent of those affected are treated. In other words, just a little over one-third of those who have mental health issues get help, even though treatment is widely available and effective.

Despite some real barriers, mental health care is readily available, including in this area. In fact, this web site is one of the best sources for help in Clay, Platte and Ray counties.

Start with agencies that receive support from the Clay, Platte Ray Mental Health Board. Most offer reduced-cost or sliding scale services, often with several Northland locations so financial and transportation issues are reduced or eliminated.

Tri-County Mental Health Services is a good example. With its headquarters near Maple Woods Community College and satellite operations in all three counties, Tri-County offers psychiatric services, outpatient therapy, community-based services for children and much more.

Some of the others include Synergy Services, which helps individuals and families with violence; Cornerstones of Care partners with children and families to achieve safety and health; and Heartland Center for Behavioral Change offers treatment for individuals who have a substance use disorder.

A good place to start is this webpage (http://clay-platte-raymh.org/funded.html) where you can learn more about these and other local services.