3 days ago
Community-based mental health and recovery service calls Pullman home
May 31—A new resource for mental health and peer recovery is now available in the heart of Pullman.
The Whitman Recovery Community Center is inviting all to celebrate its grand opening 1-4 p.m. today at the new location, 226 E. Main St. in Pullman. The public can get a glimpse of the space while enjoying ice cream, coffee, live music, games and raffle prizes.
Director Megan Guido said the grassroots effort began last year when a group of Pullman residents wanted to address the need for more behavioral health services in town.
A vision for expanding these amenities became a reality when the Latah Recovery Center, a Moscow-based nonprofit with more than 10 years of success, agreed to extend support across state lines. Guido said the initiative materialized when the Washington Healthcare Authority granted $186,000 to establish a location in Whitman County.
The Whitman County Recovery Community Center opened in February at a temporary location within the Real Life Church. Day Leader, program manager, said it's been a "large group effort" to revamp its permanent spot in downtown Pullman.
Guido, also a member of the Pullman City Council, said more mental health resources have long been advocated for by the community.
She mentioned Whitman County Public Health Department's 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment identified mental and behavioral health as a top priority.
That same study showed 20% of people in Whitman County reported an increased use of substances and 55% of residents reported feeling more isolated over a 12-month period.
Guido said while Pullman has psychological support through Palouse River Counseling and other individual providers, the consistent message she's received is there aren't enough options in the area.
Leader said the center offers a new kind of service that is focused on fostering a peer community rather than clinical approaches that are often thought of.
What makes a peer recovery community center different, she said, is people who have lived experience with addiction and mental health issues offering help to others.
