Help wanted: mental health counselors

Posted: Dec 8, 2009 6:33 PM
Updated: Dec 8, 2009 6:33 PM

There's a shortage in a profession that helps east Texans every day.  More people are seeking mental health services and there's a need for licensed counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists.

David Deel is program director for Community Healthcore, which serves nine east Texas counties. Hel says his counselors are busy helping people 24 hours a day and in recent months, the need for their services has grown.

"It seems to be a little bit of a perfect storm with all the things going on, the economy the way it is, of course, the holidays are an intense and emotional time, " says Deel.
   
Deel says their two busiest offices are in Texarkana and Longview. He says because they do not turn away anyone who needs help, they've hired more people to meet the growing demand.

Counselors we spoke with say there was a shortage of licensed counselors before the recession and now the demand is greater.

Deel says some of the local emergency rooms have been overwhelmed with people coming in seeking mental health services for the first time, not knowing where to turn.

The people at Community Healthcore say they have only two child psychiatrists for the nine county area.

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