In the United States, many people have inadequate access to mental health professionals. In 2023, there was only one mental health provider for every 350 people in the country, and some states have an even greater shortage. Fortunately, at Cama’i Community Health Center, rural Alaskans can get the behavioral health support that they need. Cama’i offers a range of mental health services for people living in the Naknek, King Salmon, and South Naknek communities.
Get in touch with us today to schedule a visit with our Cama’i counselor!
12 Behavioral Health Support Services at Cama’i
Cama’i counseling professionals help rural Alaskans learn to deal with life’s ups and downs and pressures. We offer counseling services for both children and adults. We provide the following mental health services to our community.
- Depression Everyone has a sad or low-energy day now and then. Yet, sometimes, days stretch into weeks or even months. When you have symptoms of depression, our counselors can help you by letting you vent, helping you understand what depression is, and teach you skills for improving your mood.
- Anxiety Relief Severe anxiety can prevent you from facing the challenges in your life, even things that were once easy for you. With counseling from Cama’i, you can express your fears and learn ways to overcome worry and the physical symptoms of anxiety.
- PTSD Counseling When you have PTSD, you need a two-pronged approach to mental wellness. First, you need to deal with the trauma that caused the PTSD. Then, your Cama’i counselor can help you learn techniques to reduce your symptoms and get back to focusing on the things that enrich your life.
- Addiction Support Alaska is in the midst of a substance abuse epidemic. In fact, Alaska has the 10th highest binge drinking and second highest alcohol-related death rates in the US. Anyone experiencing an addiction needs a strong support system to break free from those chains. Your counselor stands by you through the journey to sobriety, encouraging you and helping you develop the skills you need for a life without substance abuse.
- ADHD Treatment ADHD can disrupt your life significantly and prevent you from living your best life. At Cama’i, we offer talk therapy, skills training, behavior management techniques, and education to help children and adults thrive, even with ADHD.
- Grief Support Going through grief is a part of life. However, some people struggle with grief more than others do. If grief is overwhelming, you have a place to go for help. Cama’i counselors are empathetic, understanding, and helpful in allowing you to express your grief and come to terms with it.
- Trauma Counseling Whether you have recently experienced severe emotional distress due to an event you couldn’t control or are still suffering from unresolved early trauma, talking with a counselor at Cama’i can provide healing and peace. Our counselors offer talk therapy and use a variety of techniques to help you.
- Help with School Problems Is your child struggling at school? School is challenging for many children. An A student who suddenly has trouble passing may be experiencing a behavioral health issue. Or, your child’s grades may stay steady, even as they face bullies or other upsetting social pressures at school. As a parent, you want to help. However, your child may feel hesitant to bring their problems to you. The good news is that their counselor can provide them with a space to speak freely and learn to deal with their school issues. Our pediatric service providers are here to help them succeed!
- Mental Health Emergency Interventions Mental illness can become a severe problem that needs to be dealt with immediately. If you come to a crisis point, Cama’i Community Health Center can direct you to the right help at the right time. If there is a possibility of suicide, call 988 suicide crisis line. And don’t worry: Cama’i will support you as you find your way back to embracing the goodness of life.
- Mental Health Screenings Maybe you feel like you have a problem with mental illness but can’t pinpoint it. Or perhaps you’ve seen upsetting symptoms and you wonder about a specific mental disorder. Mental health screenings can show whether you should pursue behavioral health treatment.
- Social Emotional Learning Social Emotional Learning methodology can help you or your child grow in their social and personal relationships. In SEL, you learn how to manage emotions and make better decisions. Focusing on Social and Emotional Learning, your counselor concentrates on your strengths and tailors the treatment for people in rural communities in Alaska.
- Psychiatric Care Referrals Counselors at Cama’i can help you deal with behavioral problems of many kinds. However, sometimes medication can help you recover your mental health faster and more completely. Our counselors will not only refer you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe the medication you need. We also provide talk therapy to increase the success of the medication and to support you through your journey to a mentally healthier life.
Why Is Mental Health Important?
Problems with your mind, moods, and behavior not only make your life less pleasant but they can affect your success and fulfillment in any part of your life. It’s always harder to achieve your dreams, and it can even be difficult to manage your ordinary daily tasks when you’re suffering from mental illness.
Whenever you are enjoying mental wellness, you have the inner resources to make your life better. You can engage in social activities without fear. Vacations and other recreational pursuits become more pleasurable and easy-going. You may even find that you’re more successful at work with renewed focus and energy. When you’re mentally healthier, you can build the kinds of relationships that will make your life happier.
Good mental well-being promotes overall well-being, too. When you are free from anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health issues, you can take better care of your physical health. You can sleep well at night, eat in the healthiest ways, and have the energy to get adequate exercise.
What You Can Expect from Cama’i Community Health Center Counseling
If you’ve never been in counseling, you may wonder what it’s like. Here are the qualities you can expect from your mental health counselor at Cama’i Community Health Center.
- Knowledgeable Our counselors are knowledgeable about both common life problems and severe mental illness. They can recognize the symptoms of mental problems and understand the best ways to address them.
- Professional Cama’i counselors are not only well-trained but also display an attitude of professionalism. They are there to help you recover from your problems, and they do it ethically. They communicate with you appropriately and support you with the services you need most.
- Empathetic Have you ever vented to someone and felt like they weren’t even trying to understand? At Cama’i, your counselor cares about you and listens closely, to comfort you and help you feel heard.
- Trustworthy Counseling doesn’t do much good if you don’t trust your therapist. Cama’i counselors inspire trust by keeping your problems confidential and always focusing on what will help you in your life.
- Skilled Through education and experience, your Cama’i counselor skillfully applies the treatments you need. Like your primary doctor, they are adept at a range of assessments and methodologies.
While behavioral health professionals may be in short supply across the nation, people in the Naknek, King Salmon, and South Naknek communities in rural Alaska can count on Cama’i counselors to be there for them. If you’re struggling or suffering, reach out to begin your journey today!
Could our behavioral health support help you? Schedule an appointment at Cama’i now!
