The Center for Counseling and Consultation is expanding its staff and services, so on Thursday the community mental-health provider hosted the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee and an open house. The event took place at the new administrative office building at 2015 16th St.
“We’ve been growing and are out of space,” said Executive Director Wendy Lockwood. The Center has leased the property at 2015 16h St., which formerly housed BMI, as well as a building at 19th and Washington in Great Bend. Administrative employees such as Human Resources, quality assurance, financing staff and training staff will use the 2015 16th location.
“Whenever we have clients, consumers, individuals interested in services, all of that will still be together at 5815 Broadway. So that way, our clients know the One Stop Shopping, the place to go to get their services, and it doesn’t have to be confusing,” she said.
Services include many therapy modalities; substance use evaluations and treatment; a pharmacy; and community support services.
Substance Abuse Director Kevin Ford said there is a new counselor and another opening for outpatient substance use services. Adding more staff should shorten the waiting list to intensive outpatient services, “which can mean better success for the patients.”
For the outpatient substance use program, “people can come and see us as often as they need to,” Ford said. “They can come see us once a week, we’ve got groups twice a week, we’ve got a relapse prevention group at least once a week, but it’s all done on an outpatient basis. We try to meet clients where they are.”
The Center is also licensed to offer intensive outpatient treatment.
Mental Health Awareness
Holly Bowyer, who coordinates the teen-led #ZeroReasonsWhy suicide prevention program, reminded everyone that May 20 is Mental Health Awareness Day. There will be an event from 3:30-7:30 p.m. in the Barton County Courthouse Square. There will be community partners, information booths, food and drinks, yard games, drum circle, face painting and a bounce house.
“If you’re interested in having a booth to showcase services that you provide in the community, please let me know. It’s free booth space,” she said. For more information call 620-792-2544 or email hollb@thecentergb.org.
Mental Health Awareness Day T-shirts are available from Identifications at https://centerforcouncelingmhd25.itemorder.com or find a link on The Center’s Facebook page. There are several styles, all bearing the slogan “Turn Awareness Into Action.”
“Something new we’re doing this year, we are going to have a spirit week for Mental Health Awareness Week, which is the 12-16.”
• Monday will be mix and match madness. Kick start the week with a riot of patterns and revel in the chaos.
• Tuesday will be tie-dye fiesta. Unleash your inner rainbow and splash the office with a kaleidoscope of colors.
• Wednesday: Go green (the color of the Awareness Day T-shirt). Green stands for hope, strength and unwavering support.
• On Throwback Thursday, travel back by dressing for your favorite decade.
• Wrap up the week on Formal Friday by donning your brightest formal attire. "Let’s add a touch of elegance for our Friday festivities," Bowyer said.
“If your agency chooses to participate, we’d love to see pictures, so if you can send those or post them and tag Mental Health Awareness Day, that would be awesome.”
Chamber announcements
• The Chamber and FUEL Barton County will have cotton candy at Saturday’s Cinco de Mayo festival.
• Kimberly Becker at Move Your Mountain will host some free events. The first is a Leader’s Luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 in the board room at the Great Bend Chamber Office. Bring your lunch and join a community of like-minded leaders for a Leadership Nugget – A bite-sized session designed to help you refocus, gain momentum and expand your impact. No registration is needed for this event.
• Heart of Kansas will have a new dentist starting May 18.
• Next week is Small Business Week. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses and an SBA resource partner, to present the 2025 National Small Business Week virtual summit. The free two-day online event will take place May 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration is required to attend online, but the Chamber will have an in-person option in the chamber board room.
• Next week’s Chamber Coffee will start at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at Legacy Financial Solutions, 2001 Broadway. It will be followed by a ribbon cutting at Kelly’s Garden Sense, 134 NE 10 Ave., around 10 a.m.
