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News Release

DATE: February 15, 2011
CONTACT: Brenda Burgy
PHONE: (419) 231-0888

For Immediate Release

SAFY’s Lima Behavioral Health grows its Lima office

Open House Tuesday, February 22 from 12 – 2 p.m.

We repeatedly hear warnings about the looming shortage of doctors. But who is paying attention to whether there will be enough specialists in behavioral or mental health?

In an effort to meet the growing demand for intensive outpatient behavioral health services, SAFY (Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth) has just expanded its Lima Behavioral Health office. Staffed with five full-time clinical staff and an office manager, the program is now housed at 658 W. Market St. Suite 101, Lima.

The media, community members, medical professionals, social service agencies and businesses are invited to attend an open house and dedication on Tuesday, February 22 from 12 – 2 p.m. at 658 W. Market Street, Suite 101. Tours and refreshments will also be available.

"Many people in our community don’t know how to access the care they need," says Diane Gable, LISW-S, director. "We want the community to know we offer counseling to individuals of all ages for issues such as grief and loss, divorce, trauma, abuse, neglect, depression, attention-deficit hyper activity disorder and anger management."

Gable says moving to the 658 building enables them to offer additional services such as SAFY’s rapidly growing play therapy program. "Children often express what they are experiencing through play, not words," says Gable. "Our therapists have extensive experience in counseling school-aged children who have experienced the worst in life." The play therapy area recently received a donation from The Ronald McDonald Foundation.

SAFY’s Lima Behavioral Health has been helping Doug (last name being withheld due to confidentiality) and his three kids rebuild their lives following a painful divorce. "The location is great! It’s right downtown and close to the hospital and along the bus route," he says. "And the counselors are great. I knew I had to get my kids some help and myself, too. We had a lot of anger issues and I needed to know my kids felt loved and that none of this was their fault. SAFY is helping me learn to manage my stress and my kids are making improvements."

Years ago, these types of services were only provided in an office setting. Today, SAFY offers in-home counseling as well through an innovative program called Positive Transitions. The goal of this service is to rapidly intervene to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for the whole family.

"In addition to coming to the office for counseling, SAFY also treats my family in our home," Doug says. "Without the in-home counseling, the work we do in the office wouldn’t be as beneficial. For a counselor to observe and treat us in our home has been critical to our healing."

Individuals interested in obtaining counseling services may call the Lima Behavioral Health office directly at 419-222-1527. A crisis hotline is available 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week in case of emergency. The crisis line is 800-532-7239.

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