The Helen Ross McNabb Foundation is proud to announce a $3 million fundraising campaign to increase access to quality mental health care in East Tennessee. Community leaders Dale Keasling, Home Federal Bank chairman, president and CEO, and Richard Maples, East Tennessee business leader, are spearheading the campaign and have raised more than $2.8 million to date.
Approximately 25,000 children and adults depend on the Helen Ross McNabb Center to be there for their mental health and substance abuse treatment needs. “Without the Helen Ross McNabb Center, many individuals would have no other place to turn to for care. The funds secured through the Access to Care campaign will ensure that the Center will continue to be a resource that our community turns to for many years to come,” states Dale Keasling.
The Helen Ross McNabb Foundation is raising $3 million to offset the cost of hiring quality clinical staff, including psychiatrists and nurse practitioners and to make needed renovations to facilities acquired after the Center’s merger with Child and Family Tennessee. A common barrier to receiving quality care for individuals in our community who need it the most is cost. The Helen Ross McNabb Center believes that every person, regardless of his or her financial circumstances, should have access to quality behavioral health care and to safe, well-maintained facilities.
“As an East Tennessean, a businessman and a father, I want my community to be as healthy as it can be. It is our duty to make sure that our family, friends and neighbors receive the best care possible and this campaign will help make this happen,” shares campaign co-chair, Richard Maples.
The Helen Ross McNabb Center provides comprehensive services to help individuals manage their mental illnesses and substance abuse issues so they can achieve health and success in their community. Between 70 percent and 90 percent of individuals with mental health problems have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of therapy, medical help, and continued support (mentalhealth.gov.) The Center relies on a professional staff of psychiatrists, nurses, clinicians, therapists, and case managers to provide expert, individualized care.
With a national shortage of psychiatrists, it is rare and fiscally challenging to provide specialized mental health services in rural and underserved areas. While access to psychiatrists continues to decrease, mental health problems remain common and costly in our community. Increasing access to affordable psychiatric care is vital to our community’s health.
“Funds raised from the campaign will also help renovate identified facilities to meet the standards of quality established by the Helen Ross McNabb Center for all of its locations,” states Jerry Vagnier, Helen Ross McNabb Center CEO/president. “We have found that clean, inviting, therapeutic environments help facilitate the healing process. Our clients deserve to receive care in high quality settings.”
Donations to the Access to Care campaign can be made on the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s website, www.mcnabbcenter.org/foundation or by check, payable to Helen Ross McNabb Foundation, mailed to 201 West Springdale Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917.
The Helen Ross McNabb Center is a premier not-for-profit provider of behavioral health services in East Tennessee. Since 1948, the Center has provided quality and compassionate care to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, addiction and social challenges. As the Center celebrates more than 65 years of providing services to communities in East Tennessee, its mission remains clear and simple; “Improving the lives of the people we serve.” For more information, visit www.mcnabbcenter.org or call 865‐637‐9711.