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Bowyer, Downum represent The Center at advocacy day in Topeka
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Billie Downum, left, and Holly Bowyer, attend Community Mental Health Center Advocacy Day in Topeka recently. Downum and Bowyer represent The Center for Counseling & Consultation, which serves central Kansas.

Two representatives of The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, recently attended a special event at the State Capitol to spread the word about their non-profit agency and its many programs.

The two staff members are: Holly Bowyer, coordinator of #ZeroReasonsWhy, which is a teen-led suicide-prevention program; and Billie Downum, director of Community-Based Services. They participated in Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) Advocacy Day in Topeka.

“We wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to inform legislators about the services and programs we offer to adults and children,” Bowyer said. “Support from lawmakers is so important because state and federal funding is key to providing resources to our neighbors with mental-health concerns.”

During the one-day event, Bowyer and Downum interacted with Rep. Brett Fairchild of the 113th District in central Kansas, and several other legislators.

“They stopped by our exhibit to thank us and show support for the services offered by The Center,” Bowyer commented. “We appreciate their interest in our programs, as well as their awareness that funding is crucial.”

The exhibit featured brochures in English and Spanish, as well as other informational materials.

Now that The Center is fully licensed as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, “our agency’s focus is on the whole person,” Bowyer noted. “This holistic approach offers a variety of therapies, as well as specialized assistance for substance-use disorder; housing, employment and veterans’ issues; and medication-assisted treatment.

“Since there are often a number of factors involved in behavioral-health issues, we want to care for and treat the whole person. This is the best way to help people find the resources they need in the various aspects of their lives.”

The Center for Counseling & Consultation, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.