Shawnee Mental Health Center – West Union

Shawnee Family Health Center was established in 1973 as a mental health clinic to promote improved wellbeing of southern Ohio residents. They operate three clinics across three counties including this one in West Union.

Since their inception they’ve grown to provide integrated care encompassing primary medical services and employment support alongside mental health and substance use treatment. As the oldest mental health center in southern Ohio, Shawnee remains committed to accessible care in a nurturing space that encourages healing and personal growth.

They accept several health insurance options such as Medicare and Ohio Medicaid plans. A sliding fee scale option is available for uninsured and underinsured, ensuring no one is denied care due to an inability to pay. Their substance use and mental healthcare particularly serve adults and adolescents in recovery. School-based services, from counseling and case management to crisis support and referrals, are provided for children in their natural environment.

Shawnee adopts an integrated care approach that blends substance use treatment and psychiatric support with primary medical care to ensure well-rounded healing. You can access various primary medical services from routine check-ups and vaccinations to chronic disease management and preventive care.

Their integrated model also lets you receive adequate clinical support to take care of dually diagnosed substance use issues and mental health disorders. Substance use recovery is delivered via a partnership with HopeSource, a top provider of evidence-based treatment in Portsmouth. They offer comprehensive intake assessment, treatment planning and outpatient therapy involving recovery-skill building that fosters resilience and helps prevent relapse.

Skilled psychiatric nurses provide medication management and monitoring services to support clients with dual-diagnosis conditions. These experts also provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when clinically relevant to support lasting healing.

Clients are prescribed either Suboxone or Vivitrol to help manage painful withdrawal symptoms and curb physiological cravings. This is paired with counseling to address underlying psychological and emotional issues, ensuring holistic care. Counseling can be delivered in a community setting including the client’s home if necessary. Nurses can administer meds and monitor symptoms & side effects in such a convenient setting.

We were impressed by Shawnee’s supported employment program, where clients are assisted in finding and maintaining jobs as part of their recovery journey. Several studies have shown that having a job helps people with mental health or substance use challenges recover and better manage their symptoms.

Shawnee’s 360-degree care encompasses case management. Case managers provide linkage to community or county services to help address housing, education and employment needs. They can also help you obtain Medicaid and provide support when you want to try something new.