Mental Health Association in Indian River County, Inc.

Being an active presence in the community allows us to provide opportunities to educate individuals about mental health issues while also serving to reduce the stigma often associated with these issues. It is with increased community awareness that more individuals in the community who face mental health issues will be referred to and/or seek assistance at the Mental Health Association as well as at other agencies. We collaborate with many local agencies including Cleveland Clinic Behavioral Health Center, Mental Health Collaborative, United Against Poverty, and many others. Although there is mild overlap, there is no duplication of services. We fill the gaps and prevent people from falling through cracks in our community.

The focus of the MHA is continually and purposely evolving in order to address the emerging concerns and unmet needs of our community. These identified gaps in treatment services are filled by the MHA through the provision of evidence based practices that have clear adherence to our mission and vision, thereby enhancing the continuum of care that the community can access. Further, the additional focus on promoting prevention and addressing whole health issues has been the impetus for the MHA to offer a range of services that reflect a broad understanding and critical early treatment of mental health concerns. Throughout all services, the MHA works to provide the tools needed to reduce escalation of mental health challenges and offers change to our community by giving residents of all ages in Indian River County the opportunity for an improved quality of life while also working to reduce stigma. We see within our community a brighter future for those who struggle with mental illness, for the family members and friends who support them, and for the community at large. A commitment to operate as a model agency for mental health care, sustaining a superb staff and facilities, and administering the agency with high standards of innovation and professionalism. The MHA has been active in Indian River County since 1978. In 2007, we opened the Walk-In & Counseling Center, at 820 37th Place, in Vero Beach. The Walk-In & Counseling Center is unique in that it offers immediate access to emotional and behavioral health care for children and adults, on a walk-in basis for the initial visit, and by appointment for continuing treatment and services. We wanted to make it easier for anyone seeking help, to obtain it, no barriers. Some people may qualify for free services or a reduced fee at the MHA. And, we accept many insurances. We are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Through this Walk-In & Counseling Center we provide a comprehensive approach to care with individualized treatment. We have 7 therapists on our clinical team, a Clinical Director, a Director of Operations, a Director of Consumer Services, a Fund Development Manager, five support staff personnel, and two volunteers. In 2017, we provided about 10,000 professional services to almost 1,300 unduplicated clients, including nearly 900 mental health screenings, 4000 psychotherapy visits, 900 psychiatry visits, and 4000 group services, including our free support groups. We also run three Drop-In Centers for people with severe and persistent mental illness in three counties – Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. These centers are open 365 days per year and we have had 24,000 visits to the Drop-In Centers during the past year. Each center has a director. We also have 7 staff assistants working at these centers.

By continuing to increase populations served by identifying gaps in services, extending our reach to individuals along the continuum of care, for example, those without a specific mental health diagnosis, and expand into new geographical areas. We will also work towards expansion of referral sources, such as health care professionals, hospital taxing district clients, and medical and mental health facilities. These efforts will result in more clientele and better financial stability. We also offer client and employee surveys which aid in our ability to better understand the changing environment surrounding mental health care and our abilities to treat it in our community.

For the past 60 years, we have provided superior mental health care in a therapy-first format for our community. we provide free immediate mental health screenings for those in need. We have three Drop-In Centers; one in Indian River, Martin & Okeechobee, all designed to treat the chronic, persistent mentally ill adults. These centers are peer-run. We also provide a broad range of psychiatric services. We treat children under six. We provide skill streaming to all boy's and Girl's Clubs in our county as well as the Gifford Youth Achievement Center. We provide school violence and suicide prevention training as well as crisis intervention at our public schools' in Indian River County. The future is filled with new programs and opportunities, as well as reaching out to medically underserved areas in our County. We are also providing mindfulness classes as well as helping people with coping skills.