Inaugural event spurs collaboration across community
Individuals from across the community who work in mental healthcare or who have actively worked to expand access to care gathered Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at Sheridan College for an event aimed at kick starting collaborations and creating awareness of resources and barriers to the delivery of mental healthcare.
“Building a Mental Health Collaborative,” organized by Sheridan Memorial Hospital and sponsored by The Foundation, included an afternoon of panel discussions and a keynote address from suicidologist Dr. Kent Corso.
“Our goal with the event was to break down some of those silos that can develop over time and begin conversations around collaboration and partnerships that will help ensure a full system of care for our family, friends and neighbors, no matter where they are in their mental health journey,” said Brittany Goodvin, SMH Director of Behavioral Health.
Panel discussions included community members well versed in the themes surrounding mental healthcare in Sheridan and Johnson counties. The afternoon began with Julie Greer from the Center for a Vital Community; Kelly Lieb, who works as a physician assistant in the SMH Emergency Department and as the hospital’s Director of Patient Experience; and Jodi Verplancke, a social worker with Johnson County Healthcare Center. The trio shared themes and experiences regarding the breadth and depth of mental health issues they see in our local communities.
Members of the judicial system took the stage next, discussing the cost of care for individuals with mental health issues who end up in court as well as initiatives seeking to divert community members to treatment programs rather than incarceration. Judge Darci Phillips provided stark examples of how mental health issues can become cyclical in families where abuse, neglect or other issues are present.
“This is really hard work,” Phillips said of caring for individuals with mental illness. “These things may not be happening in your home, but it’s happening in our community. And there’s a lot of work to do.”
In an effort to begin increasing access for care, the next panel focused on developing and understanding the mental health workforce. They shared ideas about where and how they find employees and discussed gaps and challenges in filling openings.
In the final panel discussion of the afternoon, Dr. Aimee Foster from Volunteers of America Northern Rockies, Dr. Margaret Legaretta from the Sheridan VA Medical Center and Dr. Michael Kinney from Sheridan Memorial Hospital discussed efforts within their organizations and across the community to establish a full continuum of care – from outpatient services to inpatient treatment.
Kinney, who moved to the Sheridan area in the fall of 2024, noted that while Sheridan and Johnson County residents excel at having empathy for their family members, friends and community members, they often lack the same empathy for themselves and encouraged a shift in that mindset.
Dr. Kent Corso, who participated in the day of networking and information sharing, capped the event, emphasizing communities must use all resources available to address mental health. His keynote address engaged audience members in the conversation, encouraging open dialogue on topics often uncomfortable or awkward.
“We hope this is the first of many collaborative events with partners seeking to address mental health,” Goodvin said. “We’re so grateful for everyone who took an afternoon to gather and discuss how we can work together for the benefit of our communities.”