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Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. By recognizing Mental Health Month, we aim to promote the importance of mental health, encourage individuals to take steps to recognize their own mental health needs, and support friends and family who may require assistance.
There are several things individuals can do during Mental Health Month to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support mental well-being:
Be Seen in Green: Participate in the national campaign organized by Mental Health America by wearing green, a color symbolizing mental health awareness. Share your support on social media with the hashtag #BeSeenInGreen.
Self-Check: Take time to assess your own mental health. Recognizing the signs early can lead to better outcomes.
Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about mental health conditions and share that knowledge. Understanding can break down stigma and foster compassion.
Know and Share Resources: Familiarize yourself with vital resources like the 988 crisis hotline, which provides immediate help to those in need. Raise awareness of local resources such as CKMHC’s same-day access and crisis services, ensuring that people can access mental health services when and where they need them.
Free and Confidential Screenings: Take advantage of the free mental health screenings available on our website.
Engage in Conversations and Practice Self-Care: Open discussions about mental health and self-care can be powerful. Support mental health initiatives and encourage others to do the same.
READ MORE: Text-based mental health support app partners with Smoky Hill Education Center
More about Central Kansas Mental Health
Mission:
Central Kansas Mental Health Center’s mission is to make life better in our communities by providing excellent mental health services, education and integrated care which exceeds patients’ expectations.
What makes CKMHC different?
Central Kansas Mental Health Center is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, and is designated as the Local Mental Health Authority for the following counties: Saline, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Ottawa, and Lincoln. We are state and local leaders in the field of mental health, staying current on best practices proven to get results. We accept health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare but we also offer financial aid to make sure everyone has access to mental health services offering discounts based on ability to pay.
We are licensed by the Kansas Department of Human Services as a community mental health center. There are 26 community mental health centers across Kansas, each assigned a geographic area of the state, and collectively we provide the statewide mental health system.
READ: Off the Shelf — Mental Health Awareness Month
We offer the widest range of mental health services, we serve people of all ages, and have offices in all five counties. Our offices are located in Abilene, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Minneapolis, and our main office in Salina. We also partner with community partners to offer mobile services in many other locations such as schools, rural communities, homes, hospitals, jails, and even job sites.
Besides outpatient therapy (including individual, marital, family and group therapy) we provide medication management, psychiatry, 24/7 crisis intervention services, social-emotional skill building groups, community based case management, respite and attendant care, supported employment, peer support, parent resources, wrap around supports, integrated care coordination, psychological evaluations, and access to our Martin Youth Center (including a 72 hour youth crisis stabilization house and suspension alternative program).
Any revenue is reinvested to meet the needs of the communities we serve rather than to generate profits. For instance, we conduct free depression screens, community needs assessments, and provide nationally recognized public education such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Applied Suicide Intervention and Skills Training (ASIST). As part of our community collaboration we also provide critical incident debriefings and offer employee assistance programs for local businesses.
Our services are delivered based on medical necessity, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, disability or ability to pay. Any resident of the five counties we serve are eligible to apply for a discounted rate, based on proof of income and number of dependents.
Community based services are exclusive to CKMHC and designed to assist patients who have serious or severe mental health conditions to help them remain in their homes and communities while working toward their recovery. Evidence-based practices provide the focus for treatments, and help to ensure successful outcomes.
Central Kansas Mental Health Center has been serving the area for over 50 years and has over 150 employees who look forward to having a positive impact on people’s lives for many years to come.
We are directed by a volunteer board with representatives from each county being served that keeps us in tune and accountable to the people we serve.
We undergo frequent audits and state licensing reviews to ensure consistent quality and continuous performance improvement.
