SMC Support Services is here to help

PINEHURST — May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and Shoshone Medical Center Support Services is here to make sure that Silver Valley residents know that help is here if they need it.

SMC Support Services offers individual, family and group behavioral health services to people of all ages.

“We offer a collaborative and proactive approach to provide individualized services to each client,” said SMC Social Services Manager Meghann Johnson. “Counselors are trained and experienced in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, anger management, crisis intervention, grief, personality disorders, among others. We offer a safe, accepting and welcoming environment where clients can begin to improve their emotional well-being and create positive change and growth.”

There are many preconceived notions and stigmas concerning mental health that are either inaccurate or misconstrued, but at its core mental health includes anything that falls under psychological, emotional or social well-being.

With any mental health issue, the earlier a patient can get treatment the better.

“While it’s important to address it early on in life, now with the pandemic impacting our wellness, it’s even more imperative that we are taking a step back and checking in with ourselves and our loved ones,” Johnson said. “The earlier interventions are offered, the better the outcome.”

More often than not, the most effective treatment in situations concerning mental health revolve around having open and honest conversations in an environment that people feel safe and secure in.

“Being able to talk with others about how we are doing, and to check in with them creates an environment of acceptance and genuine care and compassion,” Johnson said. “These types of conversations create opportunities for a more open and honest dialogue with those you care about. Active listening with judgment free responses demonstrates empathy and increases the likelihood that someone will come to you during a hard time for support.”

Johnson has been stretched pretty thin, but fortunately help is on the way.

SMC Support Services is excited to announce that Crystal Chambliss will soon be joining the team, which will help lighten the load on Johnson and enable them to offer services to even more patients.

National Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949 and was started by the Mental Health America organization.

SMC Support Services is located at 107 Church St. in Pinehurst, and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.