Mental health care finding support

Published 5:30 am Thursday, June 21, 2018

A committee focusing on mental health issues in Cullman County is moving forward with funding efforts after several new donations came in for the Stephen K. Griffith Memorial Fund.

Neal Morrison, who has been named chief executive officer to The Sanctuary, a 40-bed psychiatric treatment facility in Cullman, said $11,000 through three donations have been received since Griffith’s family initiated the fund earlier this month with $25,000 through R.E. Garrison Trucking. The donations are being accepted through the Cullman County Mental Health Foundation.

“With just what the Steve Griffith’s family did several others have come forward to contribute to the fund,” Morrison said. “We are also looking at some grants that can assist the effort. Our goal is to reach a quarter-million. If we can get to that in a year I will elated, but we’re already seeing some things happen that are encouraging.”

Last week, Morrison said Cullman City Schools teachers went through training on recognizing and responding to mental health issues.

“That was to my knowledge the first time that has been done and that’s a tremendous step for our area,” he said.

Ultimately, the goal of the mental health committee is to establish three phases of additional or improved care for area residents with mental health issues. The goals include:

— provide mental health service for indigent patients.

— expand programs and training, including licensed mental health counselors to work with schools.

— establish consistent after-care programs to ensure those who have received treatment continue to take medicine and receive followup treatment as needed.

“We’re working to get to the point where you see more services available,” Morrison said. “Once all of this is put in place it will need to be under the umbrella of WellStone and with the cooperation that’s been established among other entities such as Cullman Regional, law enforcement, the probate judge and others who play a role in the mental health issue.”

While cooperation and agreements have been reached among those involved in health care, law enforcement and courts, Morrison said funding remains the most pressing issue to accomplish more the community.

“There is wide concern about mental health care in Cullman County and we feel this is the kind of community that can get something done,” he said. “WellStone is already well established in the area, but the funding needs to be here to reach more people.”

Morrison said an important issue facing mental health care is gaining permission to make a dual diagnosis when drugs and mental illness are both present in a patient.

“As it stands now, if someone has a drug problem, that has to be treated first before the person can get mental health treatment. Sometimes they need both immediately, but you presently have to treat the drug problem first,” Morrison said.

As Morrison takes over leadership of the privately owned The Sanctuary, he said the company has asked and encouraged him to continue to stay involved with the mental health committee. While private, he said The Sanctuary has been able to work successfully with local officials in emergency mental health cases.

“I can glad I’ve been encouraged to continue what’s been started in the community. Everyone is trying to work closely together and it’s going to make us a stronger community in the long run,” he said.

Donations for mental health care can be made to:

Stephen K. Griffith Memorial Fund

c/o Cullman Area Mental Health Foundation

P.O. Box 2186

Cullman AL, 35056. 

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.