WCA Hospital officials recently announced that the hospital’s Outpatient Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Offices have relocated to the main building of Jones Memorial Health Center (JMHC), a division of WCA Hospital at 51 Glasgow Ave., Jamestown. A new, centralized (one-floor) environment, clients may access the new suite by entering the front entrance of JMHC. Client front-door and handicap parking is available.

To make an appointment for outpatient chemical dependency/drug addiction or mental health services, call 664-8641. Business hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. 7 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. WCA Hospital provides immediate medical care for a person in crisis through the WCA Hospital Emergency Department, located at the Main Campus on 207 Foote Ave. Use the Prather Avenue Emergency Department Entrance.

“We are thrilled to provide care in our new, contemporary setting,” said Andrew O’Brien, CASAC, WCA Hospital director of Chemical Dependency for more than 25 years. “Our services are the foundation toward optimal mental health and chemical dependency recovery. The suite of modern offices provide a warm, confidential environment in ideal surroundings for individual, family and group therapy. When it comes to delivering care in the best healing atmosphere, every patient is uniquely different. We recognize and embrace those differences, offering confidential assessment and treatment in a setting that gives clients and their families the best opportunity for best possible health and recovery.”

A graduate of Canisus College with a master’s in counseling, Heather L. Anderson, MA, CASAC, credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor and manager for the Outpatient Chemical Dependency Program, says patients diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence disorders receive specialized treatment and care at the center. “Substance abuse and addiction are serious, but treatable and we deliver effective assessment, evidence-based treatment and prevention for those affected by drugs.”

WCA Hospital provides a range of outpatient counseling services for all ages affected by mental illness and/or chemical dependency in Jamestown and the Dunkirk Health Center, located at 338 Central Ave., Suite 240, Dunkirk. Adolescent and adult “inpatient” mental health and inpatient services are available at WCA Hospital and Jones Memorial Health Center. A comprehensive array of specialized care is provided by a professional team of psychiatrists, qualified and credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors, certified social workers, nurses, recreation therapist services.

The Outpatient Mental Health staff of WCA Hospital provides mental health/behavioral health assessments and treatments for children and adults. “The most common symptoms that we treat include major depression, generalized anxiety and bipolar disorder, childhood behavioral disorders, and more severe disorders such as schizophrenia,” said Tara R. Huston, Ph.D., an experienced outpatient mental health program manager at WCA. “No matter what someone may be facing, they can be rest assured that we will link together our emergency, inpatient and outpatient services that allows clients and their family’s one seamless transition among the different levels and types of behavioral and chemical dependence care. Our new suite offer client’s everything they need on one floor in one centralized outpatient location.”

There are many causes of mental disorders. Family genes, family history and life experiences may play a role. If you or someone you love is affected by mental health or chemical dependency/drug addiction, there is help and specialized care. For questions or to make an appointment for outpatient care, call 664-8641 or visit wcahospital.org/chemdependency.php. The WCA Hospital Outpatient and Inpatient Chemical Dependency/Mental Health Programs are accredited by: Joint Commission on Accreditation of healthcare Organizations and licensed by New York State Department of Health, Mental Health, and Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.