RE: "What mental health resources are available here?" 4-19-2023 Star

 In the April 19, 2023 edition of The Star, one of your readers wrote a letter asking about mental health resources in the Coulee Dam/Grand Coulee area.  I am happy to reassure your reader that help is available in your area. 

 Your reader was correct that “a person’s mental and emotional health are as important as their physical health,”  especially with all the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, which was a very difficult time for so many reasons.  There is a marked increase in the need for behavioral health services as a result, especially for our youth. 

 You don’t have to travel to Omak to access Okanogan Behavioral HealthCare’s services; you can connect privately with one of our caring and compassionate professionals via a secure, HIPAA-compliant connection using your computer or smartphone.  We are a private nonprofit organization providing behavioral health and substance use disorder services for people of all ages in Okanogan County and folks in the immediately adjacent areas of Grant, Douglas and Chelan Counties, too.  We accept Medicaid, Medicare, insurance and private pay.  No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. So if you, or someone you care for, need help, please reach out to us.  We are here for you.  1-800-826-6191.

Thank you,

 Carolbelle Branch

Director of Communications

Okanogan Behavioral

HealthCare

1007 Koala Dr., Omak, WA