We provide solutions for Mental Health that is a relative state of mind in which a person who is healthy is able to cope with and adjust to the current stresses of everyday living. If a person is unable to cope or adjust to everyday living, then he/she may have a mental illness. This is a term that refers collectively to all of the diagnosible mental disorders. Approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population have been diagnosed with a mental illness.The CMSU Program was established in the late 1960's after the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed the MH/MR Act of 1966, which mandated the establishment of community-based services for mentally ill and mentally retarded citizens of the Commonwealth. Drug and alcohol services were established in the early 1970's after the enactment of the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Control Act of 1972, which established community-based services for the prevention, intervention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. Prior to the establishment of these services, institutional care was used almost exclusively to treat these conditions.
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Services Offered
Mental Health - If you or someone you know might have a mental health problem, call the CMSU Base Service Unit at (570) 275-4962. Your telephone call will be transferred to a triage person who will schedule an appointment as soon as possible to assess the extent of the problem and recommend appropriate treatment.
*Intake *Assessment & Referral Assistance *Case Management *Residential *Children's After-School Program *School-Based Mental Health Services *Student Assistance Program *Psychosocial Rehabilitation *Outpatient *Inpatient *Family Based Program *Resource Coordination Program *Crisis Program *Psychiatric Services
Drug & Alcohol Services - If you or someone you know might have a drug or alcohol problem, call the CMSU Base Service Unit at (570) 275-4962. The friendly folks who answer the phone will transfer your call to a Drug & Alcohol Case Manager who will schedule an appointment within three working days to assess the extent of the problem and recommend an appropriate level of care. A choice of places that offer that particular type of treatment will be offered. If, for example, inpatient treatment is needed, the case manager will arrange for the client's stay at a facility of his/her choice and, after the client completes that level of treatment, arrange for some form of outpatient treatment or halfway house care as the client continues to move through the various stages of recovery.
Fees and Payment
Payment for services are based on a sliding fee schedule as determined by your income. You will be asked to bring certain financial information to your first appointment so that your monthly obligation (if any) can be calculated. We are also a non profit agency. For more information check our ABOUT us page.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Pennsylvania's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Pennsylvania's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.