Springfield, GA— Effingham Health System officially opened its new Behavioral Health Center on Wednesday, October 9th. This game-changing milestone in Effingham Health System’s transformational journey is a partnership between Effingham Health System and Savannah’s Curtis V. Cooper Behavioral Health team.
The new healthcare practice will provide this fast-growing rural community and the surrounding areas with an integrated behavioral health program. The county is currently seriously underserved in specialized care for mental illness, with just one provider per 2,300 residents, while the State of Georgia has one for every 640 residents.
An integrated team of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, & Licensed Clinical Social Workers will ensure each patient’s mental health needs are met. Among the most prevalent mental illnesses they will treat are Anxiety Disorders, including those brought on by significant life changes, depression, postpartum, PTSD, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, binge eating, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
VIP speakers at the event underscored the urgency of providing access to behavioral healthcare for residents of Effingham and surrounding areas. They said this need extends to rural counties across the state where people requiring care for mental health services are
seriously underserved. Effingham Behavioral Health Center provides a model for how counties can achieve that through partnerships. VIP speakers included:
● U.S. Congressman, Buddy Carter
● Speaker of the House, Jon Burns
● Stephanie Johnson, Effingham Hospital Board of Director
● Forrest Floyd, Effingham County Commissioner
Patricia Ann Yarbrough, Chairman, Effingham Hospital Board of Director
● Dr. Fran Witt, President and CEO, Effingham Health System
● Albert Grandy, CEO, Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health Care
Sharing that, “This win for our community is close to my heart and has been integral to our vision since I became CEO,” Dr. Fran Witt said the urgent need for behavioral healthcare services in this community is evident, sharing statistics about mental health needs and access to specialty services.
Patricia Ann Yarbrough welcomed Curtis V. Cooper’s team and thanked them for partnering with Effingham Health System to make Effingham Behavioral Health Center a reality. “We respect your reputation in this specialty. Access to mental health services in rural communities like ours is not just a need; it’s a lifeline. When resources are scarce or difficult to obtain, the presence of mental health support can mean the difference between silent suffering and the possibility of healing and hope,” she shared. “Strengthening these services is essential for building a healthier, more resilient community.”
In her comments, Dr. Witt made the point that mental health is a disease—just like hypertension or diabetes. “It is treatable and manageable. It is not taboo. Life happens and causes us to shift physically, emotionally, and mentally. When it does, some of us need assistance. Learning to manage mental illness can enable a healthier, happier life for ourselves and those who care about us.”
Effingham Behavioral Health Center is located at 1451 Hwy 21 in Springfield, Georgia. Prospective patients should call 912-999-1586 for an appointment.
Effingham Health System is a non-profit, county-owned health system in Springfield, Georgia.
