SSM Cardinal Glennon receives mental health services grant from St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund

ST. LOUIS, MO (Feb. 4, 2013)–
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center will offer mental health diagnosis and treatment to a larger group of uninsured and underinsured children through a grant from the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund.

The Right Start Program at SSM Cardinal Glennon offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for mental health problems, emotional and behavioral disorders and developmental delays. The grant from the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund would provide Psychology services to St. Louis County children 19 years and younger through the Right Start Program.

“We are grateful for the support from the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund,” said Donna Gfeller, Ph.D., director of Psychology at SSM Cardinal Glennon. “Having access to effective counseling services is crucial for children. When we work with children and teenagers to get the right diagnosis and treatment, we are able to address disorders that would hinder them from becoming fully functioning adults. We see fantastic outcomes from early intervention with patients who need mental health services.”

Patients who receive needed counseling services perform better in school and benefit from improved relationship with family members and friends. They also receive valuable information about the dangers of substance abuse and receive significant help with their self-esteem.

Julie Leicht, interim executive director of the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with the Right Start Program to provide much needed quality mental health services that produce positive outcomes for our children and youth.”