Hutchinson County Mental Health Task Force
In January 2020, Hutchinson County United Way (HCUW) began a Hutchinson County Mental Health Task Force consisting of members from:
- Borger ISD
- S-Fritch ISD
- PSP CISD
- Frank Phillips College
- Local Licensed Professionals
- Judicial System
- United Way Agencies
- Golden Plains Community Hospital
- Dr. Dustin Hawley
- Members at Large
- Ministers
Local schools had reached out to HCUW as the teen suicide attempts and completions were on the rise. The task force begin looking at what mental health helps were available with in the county and what was missing. The task force also begin looking at ways to bring mental health awareness and conversations to the community. The following is what has been provided to date:
- The first project was a Community Needs Assessment that was created and posted on Facebook.
- Borger ISD, Nutrien, CPChem, a Ministers, United Way Agencies, and community members at large were provided Mental Health First Aid Training.
- In May of 2021, the Task Force held a Ladies Tea & Me with a conversation around Grief and a 5K Run/Walk for Awareness.
- During the summer of 2021 the Hutchinson County School Districts began visiting with TChat and found a program that provides free counseling to their students. This was added to the counseling programs already in place within the individual school districts. Following these to areas of counseling, United Way also has a program in place to provide a few more counseling session locally as needed by contacting Living Water Benevolence Ministries.
- Grief Support Group Facilitator Training was offered.
- In May of 2022 the Ladies Tea & Me had a conversation about dealing with anxiety.
- NAMI trained individuals in the county.
- Accepted to a Learning Collaborative with Via-Hope
- September 30th & October 1st held Men's Tee & Me - a golf tournament with guest pro golfer Derrick Dixon who shared his experience with drug & alcohol addiction and his pathway to recovery. Announced to the community plans for opening a Mental Health Out-Patient Facility in Borger.
- Applied for a County ARP Grant to help with 3 mental health projects. Grant Approved. Will be able to bring in one full-time and two part-time Peer Support Specialists, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training and provide stipends to help Licensed Professional Counselors with minor support as they set up practice in Borger.
The task force is looking forward to all the great opportunities that are ahead as be begin 2023. Please feel free to take part in our community needs assessment or sign up for some of our upcoming events as they are posted below.
Community Needs Assessment
Part-Time Peer Support Specialist - Job Description
https://www.viahope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/HCUW-Peer-Specialist-Position-Job-Posting.pdf
WRAP Training
Trauma Informed Worship for First Responders Judicial Workers