Latest news with #BehavioralHealthServices
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
San Joaquin County receives $137M for behavioral health campus
May 14—STOCKTON — San Joaquin County's Behavioral Health Services announced Monday that it will be receiving $137 million in state grant funds. BHS was one of 124 agencies to receive funding, which was made possible through Proposition 1 and $3.3 billion to create more than 5,000 residential treatment beds for behavioral health care services statewide. "Today's announcement is a huge step forward for the county's efforts to bring this much needed resource to our residents," Health Care Services Agency director Genevieve Valentine said. "This critical funding allows us to move closer to construction, and ultimately toward opening the doors for those who need it most. I want to thank DHCS and the State for helping make dreams come true." Funding will be used for the county's Be Well Campus, a behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment facility located on 23 acres of land in French Camp near San Joaquin General Hospital. The campus will provide 172 beds dedicated to psychiatric health and substance use fisorder treatment services, including crisis stabilization, detox and sobriety centers, youth and family outpatient services, substance use treatment, integrated behavioral health urgent care and a mental health rehabilitative center. "This is a transformational moment for San Joaquin County," San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors chair Paul Canepa said. "The Be Well Campus is more than a facility — it's a commitment to making mental and behavioral health care accessible, compassionate, and dignified for everyone in our community. We are investing in care that treats the whole person, especially our most vulnerable residents, and bringing services closer to home. It's how we create a healthier, stronger, and more connected San Joaquin County." This will be the first facility in the region to consolidate comprehensive services in one location. The county said it will improve access, reduce stigma and help residents avoid unnecessary hospitalizations or incarceration. It will also be the first youth substance abuse residential program in the San Joaquin Valley. "This is a big deal for our community," said Supervisor Steve Ding, who represents the Lodi area. "The Be Well Campus means people in Lodi and across the county will finally have access to mental health care nearby — when they need it most. For too long, the system hasn't worked. Now we're doing something that will really help. I've pushed hard to change the rules and open the door for projects like this. We're finally moving in the right direction, and I'm proud to be part of it." Construction is expected to begin in September following environmental review and final permitting. The first phase of the campus is scheduled for substantial completion by July 2027. With Monday's award, BHS has secured $203.7 million toward the total estimated project cost of $261.8 million, with the balance being sought through pending grants and local partnerships. The county plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony later this year to coincide with the start of construction.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Anderson County suicide rates increase
ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA) – The Anderson County Coroner's Office wants to remind the community there is help for anyone contemplating suicide. According to the coroner, six people have committed suicide already this year, which is 16 percent of last year's total. 'In 2022, we had 34 suicides. 2023, we had 38. In 2024, we had 37,' said Alyssa Whitfield. 'A lot of the elderly people are really vulnerable and also younger kids. In the past ten years, our youngest one has been 11 and then our oldest has been 91.' Sharon Orvis tragically lost her son David Johnson to suicide on June 6, 2016. 'He was a great child. He was funny. He was lovable. You would never, ever think that he would have done this,' said Orvis. Orvis works for Behavioral Health Services in Anderson. She said working with children with mental health issues is her passion and so is sharing her son's story, so that other parents do not have to experience the same kind of pain. 'As a parent of someone that has committed suicide, look out for other people you can talk to in the community,' said Orvis. 'I'm in a very good support group of parents of suicide victims. I have seen kids as young as ten all the way up to about 80.' Sometimes, there aren't clear ways to know if someone is considering ending their life. 'I've gone back to that date, I went back to the week before. The week before that. I never saw any signs. Never saw anything. He was the typical DJ and that's what makes it hard because I didn't see any signs,' said Orvis. The coroner's office suggests reaching out to family and friends often to check on their mental health, especially if they use drugs or seem uninterested in hobbies they used to be excited about. 'If you ask them if they're thinking about killing themselves, it doesn't increase the chance. Research has shown that it actually is better for that person because it lets them know that somebody cares about them,' said Whitfield. Orvis continues to think of her son everyday and not let his name live in vain. 'I have two grandkids by DJ, one is 10 and one is 8. He's missing out on a lot. He's missed birthdays, Christmas, any holiday. He's missed out. You don't realize what they're going to miss, what you're going to see, or how you're going to feel when the day comes,' said Orvis. The National Suicide Hotline is 988. You can text or call at any time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
