FARMINGTON — Evergreen Behavioral Services has launched a consumer council in order to improve mental health services.
Evergreen Behavioral Services is seeking members to serve on a consumer council to improve area mental health services. Evergreen counselor Crystal Harting, left, will facilitate the group, and Evergreen board member Jennifer Chretien, right, will chair the council.
Jennifer Chretien, Evergreen board member and chairwoman of the council, is seeking consumers of mental health services and family members and friends of those affected by mental illness to serve on the council. Evergreen wants their perspectives on the delivery of mental health care.
The council meets the last Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Education Center at the University of Maine at Farmington, Room 114. Crystal Harting, an Evergreen crisis counselor, facilitates the group.
Chretien said the council started in January and its initial focus was on educating providers of mental health services, such as the university’s counseling service, SAVES, and care and comfort. “Now we are at a point where we are seeking consumers’ input on ways to maintain personal mental health and how mental health service delivery can be improved,” she said.
Chretien herself is no stranger to mental health services, having suffered from depression for more than 13 years. “The key to my recovery is to know my symptoms and have the skills to manage them and get support from others. Medication management and a good therapist are essential for me. The road has been rough at times, but I’ve come a long way.”
Besides improving mental health services, the council also wants to educate the community about available mental health services and provide a support system for those affected by mental health conditions. Anyone interested in becoming a member should call Crystal Harting at 779-2845.
Evergreen Behavioral Services provides 24/7 emergency mental health response and community outreach services in Greater Franklin County. Its crisis team helps both children and adults stabilize a crisis by tailoring interventions to the person’s unique needs, strengths and situation. Services can be accessed by calling 779-2843.
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"Evergreen Behavioral Services provides 24/7 emergency mental health response and community outreach services in Greater Franklin County. Its crisis team helps both children and adults stabilize a crisis by tailoring interventions to the person’s unique needs, strengths and situation."
This is not true, though I know this is what they advertise. Three and a half years ago I went to Evergreen's office on the hospital campus because I had been hit by a very severe depression--the kind that makes it impossible to get enough sleep. I told the lady at the desk that my problem was urgent. She said I should go home and wait for their "crisis" person to phone me.
When the crisis woman phoned she told me it would be at least 2 months before I could even get an appointment recorded with their only psychiatrist, and even then she had no idea how soon I could actually see him. She said the first visit would cost $300. I expressed incredulity that this was their idea of handling an emergency, but I can't describe how cold and unfeeling this woman was. She was not the least bit interested in my "unique needs, strengths and situation." She also didn't ask whether I was suicidal.
Thanks to God, I made it through this depression crisis, and when after more than 2 months Evergreen finally phoned back to see whether I wanted an appointment I told them to forget it. The next emergency patient that goes to them may be dead before Evergreen gets back in touch.
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