Submitted

Representatives from the North Central Missouri Mental Health Center presented the program at the Thursday, Oct. 2 meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club, held at the BTC Bank community room. Daniel Gott presided at the meeting, Dan Wilford gave the prayer and Brian Upton was the sergeant at arms.

Program chairman Don Purkapile introduced Haleigh Heldenbrand, behavioral health technician, and Bryana Kidd, who presented information on the new Behavioral Health Crisis Center, which was scheduled to open on Monday, Oct. 7. Ms. Heldenbrand said the facility’s goal is to provide care to patients in the least restrict setting and work to prevent long periods of time away from normal support systems. The center, which is located behind the NCMMHC offices, serves individuals 18 and older who are experiencing a behavioral health, substance use or situational crisis and needs a safe and calming place to go. Referrals are not required and walk-ins are welcome. The center will initially be open for intakes from 8 am to 7 pm, but it is hoped to extend those hours in the future. An assessment from a nurse and a qualified mental health professional will be done initially when a patient comes in, followed by short-term and patient-centered care focused on stabilization and providing community resources. The center is not an in-patient facility where individuals are housed. Persons using the services do not have to be within the nine-county area the mental health center serves. Ms. Kidd said there is no type of facility like this one within a 200-mile radius, adding it has been much needed for a long-time. Madi Cutsinger serves as the crisis director.

During the business meeting, there was discussion regarding the Missouri Day Festival Parade, which is organized by the Rotary Club and will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18. Entries for the parade are still being accepted and can be made via the Trenton Area Chamber of Commerce webpage or the Rotary Club of Trenton Missouri Facebook page. There is no cost to enter the parade, except for entries that have a political theme. That cost is $25. The club also agreed to meet at 5:30 am on Friday, Oct. 17 to put up the flags along the parade route.

Don Purkapile will present the program at the Oct. 9 meeting of the Rotary Club. He will be discussing the upcoming District Foundation Dinner.