Dr. Shelly Gains

December 11, 2007

The Prestera Center is the largest provider of mental health services in West Virginia, Shelly Gains told Putnam Rotarians today.

"We serve over 12,000 clients each year," the Coordinator for Foundation Development told the group. This includes counseling services, treatment for learning disabilities, anxiety and substance abuse problems for all ages.

"With the closure of Shawnee Hills, the load for Prestera doubled," she said.

"The need doubled, but the funding did not," said Gaines. Medicate reimbursement for mental health services remains at the level authorized in 1987. "Look at the price of gasoline in 1987, and how much it is now," she said. But Medicare support has not changed.

Because of this there is often an extended waiting time for services.

Prestera serves eight counties -- Cabell, Mason, Lincoln, Wayne, Putnam, Boone, Clay and Kanawha -- in over 40 sites.

Twenty-four hour residential services are provided for adults who otherwise would be hospitalized in a psychiatric facility.