County to work with mental health center

County to work with mental health center Brian Smith Tue, 04/30/2024 - 8:38 pm Beginning in October, Jack County will spend $15,000 each year to house a mental health counseling center. The office, operated by Helen Farabee MHMR Center, will be located downtown near City Drug. Farabee counselor Rebecca Sweeney, who lives in the county, currently uses the front office of the Jacksboro Police Department at a cost of about $3,900 a year, according to Jack County Judge Keith Umphress. “It will be a little over 100% of what we’re expected to pay,” Umphress said. “We want that presence to make it more convenient for our residents.” Umphress said the extra money and office space, which will also include a clerk/staff member, shows the county is serious in wanting to help those with mental health conditions. “We are working on improving relations with those within the mental health community and with Helen Farabee,” Umphress said. “We have about 90 county residents under their care right now. Many of them have to travel to Graham to get help and don’t have a way to get there. This way it’s easier for them.” Discussions began about three months ago with Farabee representatives, JPD, and Mayor Craig Fenter to see if staffing a Jacksboro office one day each week would be feasible. This move may also save the county funds in the long run. “Every time Jack County sheriff deputies take an inmate for counseling, one or two deputies must be there which can take up to three hours,” Umphress said. “We are underserving people right now. We are dealing with people with mental health issues on a daily basis.” In the past, if counseling was needed immediately, people were called from as far away as Olney or Snyder. Sweeney has also been instrumental in getting severe cases admitted to North Texas State Hospital. “We stopped trying because we couldn’t get anyone admitted,” Umphress said. Precinct 1 Commissioner Gary Oliver said that $1,250 is a lot to spend for one day a week in rent. Umphress said with the rise in mental health cases, the number of days will rise. County Information Technology Director Frank Hefner said the county used Helen Farabee counseling services four times during a recent weekend. “It will be money well spent,” Hefner said. “To have them in our city will save money and time not having to go to Graham or Wichita Falls for transfer.”