Sedgwick County 
COMCARE
635 N. Main
Wichita, KS 67203
Tel: (316) 660-7600
TTY: (316) 267-0267
Fax: (316) 660-7510

24 hr CRISIS LINE
(316) 660-7500

Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force

 

Risk Assessment of Mentally Ill Clients Seminar

The Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force is dedicated to providing education and awareness regarding the prevention of suicide in our community.

On Wednesday, September 9, 2009, the task force will bring Phillip Resnick, M.D. to Wichita. Dr. Resnick is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Division of Forensic Psychiatry at Case School of Medicine in Cleveland.  This is a no-charge event open to physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, law enforcement, business and industry, attorneys, schools and community organizations.  Continuing education credits will be awarded. 

Please see the flier for more information regarding this event.  If you would like to register for this event, you may e-mail Bev Baalman at bbaalman@sedgwick.gov or call 316-660-7652.

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The Economy and Suicide

The current world economic crisis has led to increased media and personal interest in the relationship between the economy and suicide.  To read more about this topic from the American Association of Suicidology, click here.

If a family member or friend mentions suicide, take it seriously. Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline, 316-660-7500.

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Sedgwick County Prescription Discount Card

Since 2004, Sedgwick County has partnered with the National Association of Counties and Caremark to provide Prescription Discount Cards free of charge to uninsured and underinsured residents of Sedgwick County. The discount card provides individuals an average 18% discount on their prescription drugs. For more information on this program and to learn how to receive a card, email or call Brandi Clarke at 660-7673. Click on the More Information link below to view Frequently Asked Questions about the program.

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Dealing with the Stress of a Disaster

As information is presented about the possibility of an influenza (H1N1) outbreak, it is natural to be concerned about what may happen.  Some may even feel a bit overwhelmed about the things seen and talked about in the media or by people around us. To find out more about the signs of stress and how to talk to your kids, see the links below. For more information, call COMCARE of Sedgwick County, 660-7540 or the Crisis Help Line, 660-7500.

• Managing Stress in a Disaster (fact sheet)
• Know the Signs of Stress
• Talk to your Kids

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COMCARE Connection

COMCARE of Sedgwick County periodically releases a newsletter - COMCARE Connection - providing a window into the work this department is doing in our community. 

• Read the June 2009 edition here.

• Read the February 2009 edition here.

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Link 4 Life Run

The Sedgwick County Suicide Prevention Task Force hosted the 6th Annual ‘Link 4 Life’ Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Take a look at some of the photos from this year's event.

   

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Mental Health Parity Becomes Law

Mental health advocates marked 2008 as a year in which they helped win passage of a landmark law to bring mental health parity protection to more than 100 million Americans covered by group health insurance. Passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act owes much to a relentless battle waged in order to educate lawmakers, win their support for comprehensive parity legislation, and persuade them to make parity’s enactment a vital priority.

Also achieved was another critical victory toward ending all discrimination against people with mental health needs: Legislation phasing out the inequitable 50 percent co-pay requirement on outpatient mental health care under the Medicare program. Supporters believe these longstanding discriminatory practices have helped keep stigma alive. With each legislative victory over discrimination we come closer to the day that all people view mental health conditions no differently than any other health condition.

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Workplace Mental Health

Mental illness is becoming an increasingly widespread problem in the workplace.  Find out how mental illness affects the workplace and what employers can do to help employees and alleviate those effects.

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Homelessness in Sedgwick County

Did you know there are 52,000 residents in Sedgwick County living in poverty and 1 in 10 people living in poverty will experience homelessness this year? Kansas ranks as the 7^th highest state for hunger nationwide and according to the Kansas Health Institute, more than two-thirds of families with difficulty obtaining food have at least one family member working full-time.

The leading causes of hunger include low-paying jobs, the high cost of housing, medical care costs, substance abuse and mental health problems, reduced public benefits, childcare costs, and transportation expenses.  For homelessness it is the lack of affordable housing, followed by the lack of needed services for mental health and substance abuse, low-paying jobs, unemployment, domestic violence, poverty and prison release.

If you see a person who is homeless, or would like information about food or shelter in the community, please call COMCARE’ s Homeless Program at 660-7800.  COMCARE of Sedgwick County is the community mental health center for all residents of Sedgwick County. 

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Mission:

COMCARE of Sedgwick County helps people with Mental Health and Substance Abuse needs to improve the quality of their lives.

Vision:

We envision a healthy community where people are provided the support needed to reach their potential.

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COMCARE's quality comprehensive services are prioritized and provided for all citizens regardless of ability to pay.  Services are provided in the most cost efficient and cost-effective manner.  Sedgwick County provides programs which are accessible to the public without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religious or political affiliations, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

 

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