SERVICES

The Division of Mental Health Services provides the majority of direct services through the state by contracting with 15 community mental health centers (CMHCs).  Each CMHC is required to provide a full array of traditional and specialized, outpatient services within a defined geographical area called a catchment area.  These services include:   diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning, individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, case management, crisis services, vocational, housing and educational support, transportation, and rehabilitative and day treatment services.   There are 15 catchment areas in which the CMHCs have service sites in 70 of the 75 counties.  The CMHCs provide services from more than 150 service sites throughout the State of Arkansas.

Priority populations served through the public mental health system are:   individuals found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect; individuals assessed as potentially violent; forensic populations; persons with serious mental illness; children and adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance; and others with mental health needs.  Annually, the public mental health system serves approximately 60,000 individuals.

What Services Are Available

Fortunately, through the Division of Mental Health Services, there are service providers across the state that provide mental health services.  The 15 community mental health centers are experienced in the design and delivery of mental health services to individuals in their home communities.  The culture, economy, and ethnic makeup of the communities in each service area are unique to that area.  These services include:

Inpatient

A full range of short-term intensive treatment (often in local hospitals).

Outpatient Counseling (Individual and Group)

Treatment for individuals by various methods, including medication, if necessary.

Emergency

24-hour emergency emotional crisis services via telephone, walk-in and referrals.

Partial Hospitalization

Intensive outpatient counseling provided in a structured setting in which the client returns home in the evening.

Residential Services

Treatment and supervision in various residential settings ranging from group homes to independent living.

Day Treatment

A more structured form of outpatient services to assist clients with developing and maintaining the daily living skills needed for community living.

Prevention

Services provided within the community to reduce and prevent the occurrence of mental/emotional disorders.

Consultation and Education

Services designed to assist the community with education about emotional disorders.

Specialized Programs for Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Services provided to assist the community with education about emotional disorders.

Specialized Programs for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbance

Interagency service coordination, short-term crisis intervention, wrap-around srvices.

Screening and Follow-up

Services provided prior to and after hospitalization to determine the most appropriate treatment intervention.

Forensic Services

Conducts the court-ordered evaluation to determine issues of competency and responsibility.  Provides inpatient treatment and monitoring of those individuals acquitted through the court system.

Other Human Service-Related Programs

Some CMHCs offer substance abuse services, therapeutic foster care, etc.

Mental Health Information Line

If you or someone in your family may be battling mental illness, there's help.   Call the state's new toll-free Mental Health Information Line at 1-877-227-0007 for confidential information and assistance.