Officials say mental health services are being utilized

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

According to officials, mental health and disability services in the county are being utilized and are running fairly smoothly.

During the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, Henry County coordinator of disability services, Sarah Berndt, reported on the county?s services saying that things are staying busy in that area.

?The Henry County Drop-In Center, for example, took off really well and is seeing a steady flow of people coming in and out every day,? said Berndt. ?We have been hearing positive stories from individuals who visit there often, so it?s good to know the center is having an impact on people.?

Berndt says a major part of the center?s success stems from its staff and the timing of the center?s opening.

?It was really the right time for the center and we had the right staff,? said Berndt. ?Sometimes things just align perfectly, and it certainly did in this case.?

Berndt was also happy to report that the crisis intervention team that works directly with Henry County Health Center is functioning together, and that services are being provided.

?I do think this program has potential to grow. We are still in the early stages, and we are seeing roughly the number of patients we expect at this point,? said Berndt.

Another topic of note discussed by Berndt was that of county-funded transportation.

?In many meetings that I have been involved in, the question of whether or not the county or region needs to fund more transportation services has been discussed,? she said. ?I think what the real issue comes down to is that there is still a lot of questions about whether or not there?s a real transportation deficit.?

Berndt pointed out that one main issue with public transportation is that it?s not as easy for people to simply call for a ride at the last minute. Instead, it requires more planning on the participant?s part to schedule a time for a ride and to be at the pick-up area on schedule.

?I don?t feel comfortable paying out for transportation until we can prove there is a real need for it, and that the need is great enough that people will sacrifice some convenience for the service itself,? said Berndt. ?I don?t know where this conversation is going to end up, but it is something that is actively being talked about in the county.?

In other news, the board also approved a third reading of a few amendments to the general relief program ordinance with no comment made from the public.

The board also approved 10 disabled veterans homestead applications.

The next Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 28, at 9 a.m., at the Henry County Courthouse.