JOPLIN, Mo. – “Why can’t you just quit?” This question is routinely asked in families where a person struggles with some form of addiction. Ozark Center, an entity of Freeman Health System, now offers Innovative Solutions, an interactive presentation for anyone who wants to better understand the struggle of addiction and other behavioral issues.
“Ozark Center provides a myriad of services with highly trained professionals in all aspects of behavioral healthcare for our community, and we want to provide a monthly opportunity to share information about our available services through Innovative Solutions,” said Ozark Center Chief Clinical Officer Del Camp. “Despite the comprehensive nature and size of our organization, recovery and support for those experiencing mental health challenges truly lies within our community.”
This new monthly series empowers our community to support those we know who live with mental health or substance use issues. The March topic is “Why Can’t You Just Quit?”: Understanding Addition for Those Who Are Not Addicted.
“The purpose of the series is to equip the community with the tools necessary to support their friends, families and coworkers who are in recovery,” said Ozark Center New Directions Clinical Director Spence Ellis. “We also want to be sure to allow for questions during these interactive presentations. Our first event titled ‘Why Can’t You Just Quit’ speaks to the families whose loved ones continue addictive behavior choices despite negative consequences. In addition, it will also offer practical options for family members struggling with how to help them. We’ll also discuss some issues around opioid use disorder and provide some education for how to intervene in the event of an overdose.”
The event is facilitated by trained addiction professionals at New Directions. Discussions are suitable for those 18 and over, and it is ideal for families impacted by addiction. This month’s Innovative Solutions session will take place from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm on Thursday, March 24, at Ozark Center Hope Spring at 3901 E. 32nd Street. The ongoing series of sessions will give the community more opportunities to discuss mental health and substance use issues.
“No organization is large enough to adequately support the full range of needs of those recovering from addiction or mental health disorders,” said Camp. “Innovative Solutions aims to provide information about topics including addiction, suicide prevention, overdose response, eating disorders, older adults, autism, veterans and parenting.”
Future Innovative Solutions sessions are scheduled addressing the following topics:
Veterans – May 2022 at Hope Spring
Eating Disorders – June 2022 at Hope Spring
Parenting – July 2022 at Will’s Place
Older Adults – August 2022 at Hope Spring
Addiction – September 2022 at Hope Spring
Autism – October 2022 at Leffen Center
Veterans – November 2022 at Hope Spring
Eating Disorders – December 2022 at Hope Spring
Parenting – January 2023 at Will’s Place
Older Adults – February 2023 at Hope Spring
Dates are to be determined but listing updates can be found at freemanhealth.com/events.
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2022, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2021. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
About Ozark Center
Ozark Center is based in Joplin, Missouri and has been an entity of Freeman Health System since 1996. It has been providing comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults, and families since 1965 in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from the Four States. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the behavioral health needs o
