Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
For Walker County residents seeking mental health care, developmental disability support, or help with substance use, a wide range of services is available close to home through Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center.
Founded in 1969, Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center (NWAMHC) is a public nonprofit organization serving Walker, Fayette, Lamar, Marion, and Winston counties. The center provides a continuum of care for children, adults, and families, with services addressing mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.
In Walker County, the center offers adult outpatient mental health services through its Jasper office. Master’s-level professionals complete an initial assessment with each person seeking care and work with the individual to develop a treatment plan based on his or her needs. Services include individual, family, and group counseling; psychiatric evaluation and medication assessment; case management; crisis intervention; family support and education; basic living-skills assistance; and 24-hour emergency services.
For adults in need of a more intensive level of treatment without inpatient hospitalization, NWAMHC also offers day treatment programs. These include a Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Day Treatment, and a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Day Program. The Partial Hospitalization Program is designed for adults experiencing acute psychiatric problems and includes therapy, educational and activity groups, and psychiatric medication evaluation and management. Psychiatric rehabilitation focuses on areas such as employment skills, independent living skills, and socialization.
NWAMHC also provides residential services for adults with mental illness, with levels of care ranging from structured residential care homes to supported housing apartments. Depending on individual needs, residential programs can assist with medication management, daily living and social skills, vocational referrals, transportation, community integration, and family education, emphasizing helping each person function as independently as possible.
Walker County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities may receive support through both residential facilities and personal care services. Personal care allows individuals to remain in their family homes while receiving assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Certified residential facilities provide additional support and instruction in areas including self-care, independent functioning, socialization, and community participation. Services follow an individualized, person-centered plan built around each person’s needs, preferences, and long-term goals.
Children and adolescents are served through the Adam Bishop Center, located at 1105 7th Avenue in Jasper. Services for ages 3 through 18 include individual, family, and group counseling; psychiatric evaluations; in-home and crisis intervention; case management; and school and juvenile court evaluations. and other behavioral health support. Intensive day treatment is also available for younger children and adolescents with significant emotional or behavioral needs.
NWAMHC also provides substance use disorder treatment for adolescents and adults in Walker County. Services may include screening and assessment, individual and group therapy, medication-assisted treatment, case management, crisis intervention, treatment for co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, referrals for detoxification or residential care, and follow-up and aftercare planning.
Together, these programs are designed to meet people at different stages and levels of need.
For more information about Walker County services, contact Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center at 205-387-0541 or visit nwamhc.com. The Walker County office is located at 1100 7th Avenue in Jasper. WL
