RiverValley Behavioral Health seeks to destigmatize mental health

from 2022 Messenger-Inquirer Our Region

by Messenger-Inquirer

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DAVIESS

Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 19

RiverValley Behavioral Health seeks to destigmatize mental health

BY SYDNEY O’HEARN

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

RiverValley Behavioral Health is on a mission.

“We want to normalize mental health,” said president and CEO Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta in June.

With facilities in Daviess, Ohio, Hancock, Henderson, Union and Webster counties, RVBH envisions accessible mental and behavioral health services for all ages.

And, Dr. Figueroa said, “When the doors are closed, we’re still working on mental health.”

RVBH is able to do this thanks to a mobile crisis unit, something that’s “very unique in this state,” Fiqueroa said. According to the RVBH website, the Mobile Crisis Team includes a highly-trained team of clinicians, case managers and peer support professionals that can assess, triage and provide emergency services for all ages.

RVBH also serves as a regional call center for the recently announced 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. “Two weeks after launch, calls almost doubled,” Figueroa said. “Majority for anxiety. We saw more youngsters reaching out for services.”

Later this year, a community center will open in downtown Owensboro’s The Crowne. The center will offer a wellness library of resources for different ages.

“They’ll have access to books they can borrow. Teachers can come to look at curriculum that can apply to their areas. There are resources that can help with families and relationships,” Figueroa said.

The location is “iconic,” according to Figueroa, and convenient — perfectly placed across the street from the judicial center. Staff members specialize in prevention, therapy and wellness.

Eventually, Figueroa said, she hopes to have DUI classes and suicide prevention programs there too.

Figueroa credits RVBH’s success to its collaborators.

“We are very fortunate in our community, that it’s a caring community,” she said. “We have a good relationship with law enforcement, businesses, schools, faith-based organization and other providers.”

That relationship comes in many forms, one of which involves training and conferences offered to schools, law enforcement and organizations in the counties RVBH serves. It recently offered training to all Owensboro Public Schools staff and participated in a mental health summit for Daviess County Public Schools.

RVBH participate in back-to-school events in Daviess and surrounding counties, like the July Stuff the Bus event in parternship with DCPS, OPS and the Family Resource and Youth Service Center. And, Figueroa said, “We have a series of training at Hospice every month, until we train all of their staff.”

In terms of what’s next, Figueroa said, “I see growth; I see a more vital community and a community that comes together to be a bridge to health.”

RVBH continues to search for funding to expand services and create new opportunities.

“I think that’s something we have to continue, putting that message out there,” Figueroa said of the mission to normalize mental health. “That’s the core of health, in general.”

Christie Netherton assists with a back-toschool program sponsored by RiverValley Behavioral Health in parternship with Beverly’s Hearty Slice.

Photo provided

JONES INSURANCE AGENCY

724Time Dr.• Owensboro, KY 270-691-9100

www.joneswoolfolkins.com AUTO-HOME-FARM-BUSINESSAUTO | HOME | FARM LIFE-HEALTHBUSINESS | LIFE

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RiverValley Behavioral Health is the Commonwealth’s designated regional CommunityMental HealthCenter.We provideawiderange of behavioralhealth services to communitymembersofall ages across sevenWestern Kentucky counties

RiverValleyBehavioralHealthcurrently hostsover 27 programs that includein-patient andoutpatient services forindividualsand familiesimpactedby mental health issues,alcohol anddrugaddictions, anddevelopmental disabilities.

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