National Mental Health Month - There’s No Health Without Mental Health
Morton County 988 Centers
L-R Sharmilla Hall, Morton County Health Systems, Crystal Bashford, Kansas State University Extension, Alexis O'Hair, Morton County Economic Development, Kendra Walsh, Morton County Health Department, Brooke Cooper - Compass Behavioral Health, Becky Hanna - Coalition member.
The Morton County Community Coalition started in 2020, with mental health one of the main priorities. A small group of people began having a conversation about numerous deaths by suicide over the past 8 years, a passionate idea developed into a mission of what the community could do to better address these tragedies. The coalition all agreed to start with education using the different resources, to make big things happen -- and that's exactly what happened.
In September 2022, Morton County Economic Director, Alexis O’Hair worked with the Kansas Lieutenant Governor, David Toland and was awarded the “Rural Choice Champion” grant that helped get coalition ideas rolling forward and took on the initiative to establish “resource centers” in 3 places throughout Morton county. With that grant, Mike Horton, was hired as the "boots on the ground" coordinator, to start identifying possible buildings throughout communities in Morton County and talking to people about the 988 vision. This was a vital piece in making the project come to life.
Each center is a small, private, individual space, with a phone that directly connects to the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline 9-8-8 when you pick it up. There are information pamphlets inside with additional information to connect someone to a resource that they might need. Signs were made to identify the buildings. Future plans include mounting a tablet in each center for individuals to connect for personalized help to a therapist via Zoom.
In October 2023 the first Hope Center was ready for operation in Elkhart, Kansas. The donated building is located next to the Morton County Health Department and Morton County Extension office building. The broadband company, Epic Touch, donated the 988 direct line for this building.
The Richfield City Council graciously partitioned off room in the front of their "City Hall" to be used as this location’s 988 Center. Pioneer Communications out of Ulysses, Kansas donated the 988 direct phone line. The prime location is easily seen from the highway and has easy access to pull-off for anyone passing by.
TBK Bank donated the ATM building in Rolla to the Morton County Community Coalition and Seaboard donated funding to repair the roof. Rolla School students worked to clean-up of the inside of the building. The outside sign and phone are now installed. When the electrical work is complete, the building will be operational. A future “rural mural” is planned be painted on one side of the building by a local artist.
Morton County Community Health Coalition provides different events to address mental health, to have platforms to start difficult conversations, to meet people where they are and educate community residents about issues of concern. Join us for National Mental Health Action Day, Be Seen in Green Walk, Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. The walk will start at the Dirt Spot at Whistle Stop Park.
