News & Press

Jones County News: Help is available in Middle Georgia

https://www.jcnews.com/article/help-available-middle-georgia

Finding help when it is needed for people in emotional pain or recovering from an emotional crisis situation can make a huge difference in the future of that individual.

Help is available in Jones County and nearby counties, depending on the specific help that is needed. The Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia has an office in Gray and can help with identifying concerns and challenges with children and adolescents as well as adults.

Patty Gibbs is the executive director and said the center works with school counselors, the court system and the Department of Family and Children Services. She said one of the big hurdles is getting people past the perceived stigma of mental health issues.

She said some of the issues adolescents are dealing that counseling could help with are relationships with friends, family, and significant others.

The director said the center is ready to help with counseling and aftercare following crisis stabilization for individuals and families. She pointed out, however, counselors at the center do not prescribe medication.

Gibbs said the center works through Jones County Family Connections and the school system.

“We go wherever we are invited,” she said. “I’m excited about the work we can do in Jones County.”

The address of the Gray office is 300 W. Clinton Street, Suite 1, and the phone number is 478-936-0043. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Gibbs said people seeking their services are walked through the process. Charges are on a sliding scale and can be without a fee.

The Family Counseling Center of Middle Georgia has three offices. In addition to Gray, the center has an office in Warner Robins, and its main location is in Macon.

River Edge Behavioral Health

Another option for help is River Edge, which is located in the adjourning counties of Macon-Bibb and Baldwin. The facility serves more than 10,000 Georgians annually and is a leading source for mental health and substance use disorder treatments and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1950.

Ashley Allen, River Edge director for Macon-Bibb and surrounding counties, said one way River Edge is serving Jones County is through the APEX program that is funded by a grant from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

“We have a mental health counselor at every school in Jones County employed through the grant,” she said.

Allen said the usual referrals are from school counselors, but those services are also available for students not in school. She said River Edge has walk-in clinics in Macon and Milledgeville.

Outpatient services are available for children, adolescents and adults.

The director said the clinic visits should be a part of follow up for crisis stabilization services. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Allen said the Crisis Service Center in Milledgeville is open 24/7 and is open to adult walk-ins. She said the center offers outpatient services, but it also has the capacity of keeping a patient for up to 23 hours.

“We offer great services, but they are under utilized,” she said.

The director said the emergency rooms at Navicent hospitals in Macon and Milledgeville each have a 24/7 crisis worker.

“We are very happy to have the services at Navicent,” she said.

In addition to counseling, Allen said River Edge includes doctors and nurse practitioners who provide medical management.

The address of the River Edge Behavioral Heath Center in Baldwin County is 60 W. Highway 22 (Blandy Way) and the phone number 478-451-2700.

The 24/7 number for the Crisis Center located in the same building is 478-451-2797.

The address of River Edge in Macon is 175 Emery Highway. That phone number is 478-803-7600.

My GCAL

The 24/7 number of the Georgia Crisis & Access Line is 800-715-4225, and the agency has an app that can be downloaded to any smart phone at no cost. The app puts help a finger touch away with a person who is ready to chat, text or talk, and all contact is kept private.