Agency Description:

MHA, a United Way Agency of Excellence and local affiliate of Mental Health America, provides effective outpatient mental health treatment for all ages and income levels. MHA, as the only IRC agency providing free immediate mental health care and crisis intervention, fills gaps in community mental health treatment, prevention and early identification by providing timely access to care unavailable from other provides. We have prevented avoidable harm since 2007 though immediate access to care at our Walk-In & counseling Center (WICC). Through our continuum of care services and community partnerships, we help IRC residents to restore functioning and to live in recovery within mental health concerns can access social and peer supports. 

The WICC program offers immediate and ongoing access to screening, assessment, and outpatient mental health treatment or the indigent, near-indigent, uninsured, and others with unmet mental health needs. Services include walk-in, same day mental health screening to establish needs, crisis intervention, risk assessment to ensure safety (as needed), case management to meet needs within complex life situations, resource consultation for linking to care, information/referral, psychotherapy (individual, family, group) to meet treatment goals and reduce symptoms, and psychiatric evaluation/medication management for symptom reduction and management. 

Providing immediate access to help, the WICC program prevents avoidable harm from untreated mental health sues, including suicidal ideation. WICC services include free bi-monthly Mood/Anxiety support groups; free weekly support groups for veterans; and ACCESS Florida applications. Our youth programs include intervention for emotional and behavioral concerns and prevention for skill-building and early intervention. We provide youth prevention services within Indian River County School District middle and high schools, Indian River County Charter High School, and all thee IRC Boys and Girls Clubs. WICC treatment prevent avoidable harm; preserves the safety of self and others; improves functioning; reduces psychiatric hospitalizations, emergency room visits, or law enforcement involvement; and saves community spending for costlier interventions. 

Special Information:

Accepting MSW 2nd Year/Advanced Standing students.  Part-time positions available.  Students need to provide their own transportation to the agency for placement hours. Students can submit to mileage reimbursement for travel in access of those to the agency (ie. on-site services to a local school or community aftercare served by MHA). There is no available stipend. The agency recommends student liability coverage. Video and/or audio taping is allowed per client (and, as applicable, guardian) signed permission on agency form. The Walk-In & Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm. The agency is accessible by bus with a close Go-Line bus stop. COVID vaccination is not required.