Spotlighting Adanta ’ s Central Intake and Scheduling Depts . What to expect when seeking services
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health , approximately 51.5 million adults in the U . S . ( about 1 in 5 ) experienced mental illness . With demand for mental illness services only increasing , ensuring that we have enough providers to treat mental illness is paramount .
Adanta is your local community mental health center ( CMHC ), employing over 251 staff , and serving the counties of the Lake Cumberland region since 1967 . Despite being in the community for such a long time , many people still do not know what Adanta is or the purpose of a community mental health center . Adanta provides mental health and substance abuse services including prevention , victim advocacy , and help for veteran ’ s as well as services for individuals with Intellectual / Development Disabilities .
What is Community Mental Health ?
Community mental health is defined as activities that promote mental health performed in the community rather than institutional settings . The concept of community mental health originated with the Community Mental Health Act of 1963 . Prior to the passage of that act , individuals with mental illness in the U . S . were frequently institutionalized , and the quality of treatment they received varied significantly . After 1963 , the focus of mental health treatment moved to treating individuals where they live , and communities began establishing their own mental health centers . The premise of the shift was that communities would best establish the mental health facilities that fit their unique needs .
Community mental health centers are critical to meeting the demand for mental health treatment , serving as safety net providers to deliver care to patients who may be uninsured , underinsured and / or low income . Filling the gaps when individuals are unable to obtain treatment from private providers , CMHCs operate on the front line in helping individuals contend with the challenges to their mental health . Adanta is happy to work out a payment plan for services ; services provided to individuals in crisis are done at no charge if the individual is uninsured . What can I expect if I call for services ? To serve our clients more efficiently , Adanta has implemented a Centralized Scheduling and Intake Department . Centralized scheduling and intake are common processes amongst medical
44 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky June 2022