Ribbon cutting set for MSU Mental and Behavioral Health clinic April 17
Contact: Marianne Todd
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Continuing its mission of expanding access and opportunity for Mississippi’s diverse communities, Mississippi State University–Meridian will officially open its new community behavioral health clinic with a ribbon cutting and open house on April 17.
The event celebrating the MSU-Meridian Mental and Behavioral Health Clinic, in the Regions Bank Building at 2106 Fourth St., will take place from 2 to 4 p.m.
Operating under the leadership of Lesley Clack, dean of the School of Health Professions, the clinic is now accepting new community patients and referrals, and addressing a critical need for accessible mental health services in East Mississippi and West Alabama.
“This clinic marks an important step in expanding access to behavioral and mental health services for Meridian and the surrounding region,” Clack said. “As the clinic grows, it will create opportunities for hands-on training for our graduate students while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.”
The clinic reflects MSU’s strategic plan by expanding access to behavioral health services while strengthening communities across the region. As the School of Health Professions continues to grow its behavioral health programs, the clinic will also support future opportunities for student training and experiential learning, helping prepare the next generation of behavioral health professionals.
“We’re unique in that we see both adults and children,” said Sara Beth Cooper, a state and nationally certified licensed professional counselor who specializes in children’s therapy and works under Clack’s direction. “In our area, there are not enough services for children, and oftentimes adults must seek care separately from their children. Here, we are able to support families in one location.”
On the third floor of the Regions Bank Building across from MSU-Meridian’s Riley Campus, the clinic includes therapy rooms designed for adults, adolescents, children’s play therapy, group counseling and psychological assessment.
The new facility was made possible through a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, along with philanthropic support from the Broadhead, Riley and Phil Hardin foundations.
The facility represents a major step forward in the expansion of mental health education and workforce development initiatives at MSU-Meridian. Programs within the School of Health Professions continue to grow with graduate training in health service psychology, physician assistant studies, healthcare administration and physical therapy coming soon.
Future plans for the clinic include incorporating advanced clinical training technologies that allow faculty to observe counseling sessions and provide real-time feedback to master- and doctoral-level student clinicians.
The clinic accepts Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Optum and private pay. It currently employs three licensed professional counselors with plans to add a licensed psychologist and psychiatrist.
Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with after-hours availability and telehealth services. These options are intended to provide greater flexibility for working individuals and families throughout Meridian and the surrounding region who may need services outside of traditional business hours.
For more information, visit www.meridian.msstate.edu/mbhc.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. MSU-Meridian is online at www.meridian.msstate.edu.