Behavioral Health Network opens mental health, drug counseling center in Springfield

State representatives and Springfield city officials gathered in Behavioral Health Network’s newest community center late Friday morning and watched — some with tear-filled eyes — as a video played of a Springfield BHN client, identified only as Samantha, speaking of her struggles with heroin addiction.

After surviving a domestic violence incident, Samantha said her eldest cousin introduced her to heroin in 2013 to help her cope with her trauma leading her to develop an addiction to the substance she said made her feel “amazing.” That same cousin would die from a heroin overdose a year later, spiraling into a cycle of drugs and alcohol. Samantha thought she would be next to die.

“I wanted to die, I didn’t want anything to do with life I didn’t think I could have a good life. I didn’t think I deserved a good life,” Samantha said as the video played.

Samantha would end up arrested and sent to a hospital in Worcester for harming herself. Physicians at the hospital would end up reviving Samantha after she attempted suicide while under care.

Following Samantha’s suicide attempt, BHN staff stepped in and assisted Samantha with her substance abuse issues and mental struggles through peer support groups, outreach partners and counseling. Years removed from her near-fatal hospitalization, Samantha is now gearing up to celebrate six years of sobriety on Monday, Jan. 30, an accomplishment she said would’ve never been possible without the support from BHN.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Health Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and state legislators joined Behavioral Health Network’s President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Winn on Friday in cutting the ribbon for Springfield’s new Behavioral Health Network WellBeing Center on 417 Liberty St.

Winn said the organization’s latest walk-in facility will further access to mental health counseling and offer walk-in, on-demand substance abuse disorder treatment for residents of Hampden County.

BHN’s newest Springfield facility will offer 24/7 walk-in crisis assessments and stabilization for any individual going through a mental health or substance abuse crisis and also serves as a substance abuse rehabilitation facility. Springfield residents suffering from addiction will not have to travel out of the city for treatment.

The new center will also offer drop-in seminars and group sessions, drop-in peer support groups, support programs to help with insurance, housing, food, skill-building workshops to help people discover new professions, medication services to support individuals’ recovery and therapy support.

Bilingual, biculturally appropriate support staff, who also serve as peers who have lived through similar experiences as clients, will operate the Liberty Street health center.

The wellness organization also launched a BHN WellBeing Behavioral Health Center on its Westfield campus on 77 Mill Street. The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call (413) 301-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services, or go online to bhninc.org/wellbeing for more information.

Winn took to the podium Friday to express the vision of his organization’s newest center.

“We believe it will allow us to better realize a vision where individuals and families with mental health and substance use problems can access the right care at the right time, in the right place, and achieve recovery goals,” Winn said.

The mental health professional said the center is here to connect anyone who’s struggling with their mental health and/or substance abuse with the proper resources. As of Thursday, BHN has connected 200 new clients to its services since the start of the new year — adding to the organization’s 5,000-plus list of clients.

Springfield Mayor Sarno spoke on Friday about the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing mental health epidemic that soon followed.

“We’ve partnered with BHN and Police Superintendent [Cheryl] Clapprood to have specialized mental health counselors on the street with our police department,” the mayor said. “So when those calls come out and it’s a mental health crisis they will be there. I am looking to expand that also.”

City Health Commissioner Caulton-Harris recognized former state Rep. Benjamin Swan, and stated that he was one of the earliest politicians to emphasize the importance of mental health taking the “mental health mantle” and moving it forward.

Caulton-Harris went on to thank BHN for its continued support in increasing access to mental health resources across Springfield.

“BHN as an organization deserves a lot of credit for your prevention, intervention and treatment efforts across the city and the Western Region,” she said.

Anyone interested in reaching out to counselors and or finding Behavioral Health Network facilities and services in their area can look towards the organization’s website for details.

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