Cahaba Center for Mental Health here for counseling, psychiatric services

May is Mental Health Month, and the Cahaba Center for Mental Health is doing its part to let the community know that they are ready to help.

“We’re all more aware of mental health issues because of COVID, because we have all been isolated,” Center Executive Director Carrie Bearden said. “Luckily, that seems to be turning the corner. But we want to remind everyone they can reach out to us if they need help.”

Bearden said the Cahaba Center for Mental Health offers a variety of outpatient mental health services in Dallas, Perry and Wilcox counties. Patients can receive counseling and can even see a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Although it’s difficult to see specialists in the Black Belt, patients can always see a psychiatrist at the Cahaba Center, she said.

Not being able to pay is not a reason to avoid getting mental health, according to Bearden. “We have a sliding fee scale, so if your insurance will not pay for our services, we will charge based on your income,” Bearden said. “And we do not refuse anyone service because of their inability to pay. We don’t want anyone to have the inability to pay as a barrier.”

Getting an appointment is not difficult. Bearden said patients don’t have to have a referral, so they can call for themselves. Patients can walk in the door to get an appointment or just call. “We want people to reach out to us if they feel like they are in crisis,” Bearden said. “The suicide rate has been on the increase, so we want people to know there someone to talk to. If they are feeling like they want to hurt themselves, just call.”