Mental health support is a major need in the Ozarks. These organizations are stepping up

Two Ozarks organizations are now offering mental health services to the community. Faith Community Health of Branson and Lutheran Family and Children's Services are both offering counseling and behavioral health support.

Sufficient mental health support is an ongoing issue in the Ozarks, as underscored by multiple community health needs assessments. The Ozarks Health Commission , which examines needs in Bolivar, Branson, Joplin, Lebanon, Monett, Mountain View and Springfield, has identified increasing suicide rates over the past five years. In the OHC area, rates of death by suicide are 60% higher than the U.S. average and 20% higher than the Missouri state average.

In the 2022 OCH regional survey, counseling services for mental health issues for both children and adults as well as emergency mental health services were among the top community needs. The MO Kids Count Data Center reports that from 2017 to 2021 (the most recent available data), Greene County has exceeded the state average for mental health hospitalizations per 100,000 kids ages 1 through 19.

Here's what LFCS and Faith Community Health are doing to address those needs.

Social service agency to offer mental health support in Springfield, Ozarks region

Lutheran Family and Children's Services has cared for children in Missouri for over 150 years, according to its website , starting as a residence for children left homeless after the Civil War. In recent years, it has provided support to parents, families looking to adopt or foster children and community prevention services.

Now, the Springfield LFCS office, 2130 N. Glenstone Avenue, will offer behavioral health support to children and families in the Ozarks.

"The need for accessible and affordable mental health services has never been greater,” said Krista Adams, regional development officer for LFCS Springfield, in a press release. "Reports from the Ozark Health Commission and the MO Kids Count Data Center highlight alarming trends, with youth in the Ozark’s facing higher rates of depression, suicide, and substance abuse hospitalizations compared to state and national averages.”

Kaitlynn McElyea will lead the LFCS behavioral health services in Springfield.

McElyea will provide evidence-based therapies and services tailored to meet the needs of Springfield-area children and families in the Ozarks, including treatment for anxiety and depression, trauma, grief and loss, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, behavioral problems, anger management, family conflict, bullying, and helping children cope with separation and divorce. The organization will also offer "adoption-competent therapy," which is specialized support for adoptees, birth parents and adoptive families. The position was made possible in part by the Stanley Elaine Ball Foundation, according to the press release.

“We are committed to investing in the well-being of children and families in Springfield and the surrounding communities,’’ Adams said. “These new behavioral health services demonstrate our dedication to building a stronger, healthy community for everyone.”

Clients may qualify for free services through grant funding and if not, LFCS offers a sliding fee scale. It also offers telehealth services. For more information, call 417-862-1972, toll-free at 866-326-LFCS, or email help@lfcs.org.

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Branson primary care clinic transitions to mental health center

Faith Community Health , 1232 Branson Hills Parkway, Suite 104, in Branson, began in 2010 as a primary care clinic dedicated to meeting the needs of the uninsured and underinsured.

However, state Medicaid expansion, the Affordable Care Act and and increased number of providers in the community have reduced the need for primary care, according to Anne McGregor, Faith Community Health board chair.

"Staying true to our mission, we have been attentive to our community's evolving healthcare needs and are excited to respond to the critical need for mental health services," McGregor said in a press release.

Aug. 16 is the last day for primary care services at Faith Community Health, according to the website .

The clinic, which will undergo a remodel and be renamed as Hope Counseling Center, will offer individual therapy for adults, adolescents and children; group therapy, family therapy and couples counseling. There will be five offices housing two licensed counselors and two graduate interns, according to the press release.

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will be a sliding fee scale.

"While we've enjoyed serving the primary care needs of our patients, we've seen a significant rise in demand for our mental health services," said Kyle David, executive director at Faith Community Health, in a press release. "Focusing solely on mental health, we can provide more specialized care and expand our capacity to serve a wider range of patients. We could not do this without donor support. A generous gift from Skaggs Foundation and an ARPA grant from Taney County is helping us respond to this critical need in our community."

Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Mental health support is a major need in the Ozarks. These organizations are stepping up