A message from the CEO

Welcome to the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic website. As we begin a new year, it is important to reflect on the past as well as look forward to the future. As we celebrated our 45^th anniversary, the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, in spite of the well known State budget cuts, continued to provide the best possible behavioral health services to our consumers. The clinic now employs approximately 110 staff members and serves over 2,000 enrolled clients at our three locations in Cottonwood, Sedona, and Camp Verde.

We worked very hard this year to help find resources for the approximately 200 seriously mentally ill consumers who experienced reduced benefits as a result of the budget cuts. We also continued to expand our new integrated care program, making available primary medical care for our seriously mentally ill AHCCCS consumers, and adding general mental health and substance abuse AHCCCS clients to the program. The integrated care program received major recognition in the form of The Mickey Hawley Award from NARBHA and a personal visit from Linda Rosenberg, CEO of the National Council, the country’s leading behavioral health policy and advocacy organization.

As we look ahead to 2011 and beyond, there is much uncertainty as to the availability of resources to support our programs and the consumers who depend upon them for their daily wellbeing. There is also the challenge of planning and preparing for the changes coming to our healthcare system. But no matter what impact the economy or changes of policy may have, please be assured that the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic will continue to provide the very best care we can. We will continue to be driven by our commitment to those we serve.

As the future unfolds and our challenges become clearer, the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic will continue to be guided by our mission, to offer to those we serve an opportunity for recovery through hope, empowerment, partnership, and compassion.

Please take a look at our new website, and let us know what you think. We want this site to serve as a window into the workings of the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic and as a way for our consumers, their families, and the community at large to receive important behavioral health information. Thank you for your support.

Click Here for full page version of this document

-for immediate release Friday, May 04, 2012

Contact: Richard Dehnert-634-2236

May is National Mental Health Month, and there’s no better way to observe this annual reminder than to enroll in the next Mental Health First Aid class at Verde Valley Guidance Clinic. Like most months designated to bring attention to one cause or another, Mental Health Month is designed to increase awareness of mental health and how it affects people in every walk of life, both children and adults. Just to add to the focus on mental health in May, the week of May 6-12 is recognized as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

For the most part, we see an article or two, and maybe a special report on the evening news about whatever subject the month is dedicated to, but in this case, Verde Valley residents actually have an opportunity to take direct action regarding our understanding of mental health, and conversely, mental illness.

Mental Health First Aid, a free 12-hour class offered over two days, will help participants understand more about mental illness, how it affects its victims and how to respond to people who may need help. Whether it’s a family member, a stranger on the street, or someone with whom we interact during the course of our workday, Mental Health First Aid will help reduce the stigma of mental illness or substance abuse disorders and teach the student how to assess the situation, offer help or seek professional assistance.

Many who have taken this class say it’s the best thing they ever did to understand mental illness and to feel more comfortable dealing with persons who display symptoms of various mental health disorders.

Enrollment for Mental Health First Aid is now open. The next class will be held Friday June 8 and Friday June 15 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm both days. The classes are held at the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic’s Cottonwood office, 8 E. Cottonwood St. Enrollment is free and open to the public. Call 634-2236 and ask for Sharon Stingerie.