Press Releases

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Metropolitan Human Services District will be holding three public forums in Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes to update community partners and residents on its strategic plan and accomplishments for this fiscal year.

“MHSD has accomplished many milestones over the past year and we want to make sure we share that information,” said Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, MHSD Executive and Medical Director. “We also want to ensure that our community partners and persons served have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have or voice any concerns.”

MHSD Annual Public Forum Press Release

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Metropolitan Human Services District has received a $740 thousand grant for the Louisiana State Opioid Response (LaSOR) program from the Louisiana Department of Health – Office of Behavioral Health.  This funding will allow MHSD to enhance existing statewide prevention, treatment, and recovery support services through outreach.

The LaSOR Mobile Outreach Team will consist of a Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Peer Support Specialist, Prevention Specialist, and a Mobile Unit Driver.  “As we know, most individuals normally don’t seek help on their own. This award will allow MHSD to meet the people we serve where they are.” Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, MHSD Executive and Medical Director says.  She added that one of MHSD’s goals is to constantly be engaged with the community we serve.

LaSOR Grant Press Release

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) will partner with Tulane University and Louisiana State University to provide psychiatric and substance use services for children beginning on Monday, August 6, 2018 at the New Orleans East Behavioral Health Center located at 5630 Read Boulevard (2^nd Floor) New Orleans, LA, 70127. These services will be available to children ages 5-21, Monday-Friday from 8am– 4:30pm.

Historically, MHSD has never provided these types of services to children in the New Orleans East area. The agency realized a children’s clinic was necessary to compliment adult services. MHSD staff will work closely with Tulane and LSU Schools of Medicine and their child and youth faculty to offer recovery support services.

“MHSD prides itself on being able to provide services to all ages, and we are eager to better accommodate our children’s needs. As the substance use rates and psychiatric cases in adolescents continue to rise, it is imperative that we are prepared to offer this type of support to the New Orleans East community,” says Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, MHSD Executive/Medical Director.

Metropolitan Human Services District is the local lead agency for mental illness, addictive disorders and intellectual/development disability services. MHSD provides community-based services for all ages in Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes through agency clinics and community partners. State and Federal funding are the primary resources for MHSD.  For more information, visit www.mhsdla.org or call 504-568-3130.

MHSD launches Children’s Program in New Orleans East area for children in need of Behavioral Health Services 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) in partnership with St. Bernard Parish School Board Prevention Program, will celebrate the grand opening of its St. Bernard Child and Youth After-hours Clinic on Tuesday, January 16. The hours of operation will be from 5pm-8pm, Monday through Thursday and will provide behavioral health services focusing on mental illness and substance use to individuals between the ages of 5 ½ and 20 ½.

MHSD began expansion plans after St. Bernard parish leadership expressed there was high demand for after-hours care in the area. The agency hopes that the extended hours will provide residents with more access beyond school hours. “MHSD is very excited about our first-ever St. Bernard after Hours Child/Youth Services Clinic, offering behavioral health services and intellectual and developmental disorder service referrals for the children, youth and their families who reside in St. Bernard Parish” says Executive and Medical Director, Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham.

The clinic is fully staffed with licensed clinical professionals and they are accepting appointments now. Interested residents must schedule appointments during regular business hours, 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. MHSD welcomes walk-ins, however appointments are recommended. To book appointment, please call MHSD at 504-568-3130 or visit www.mhsdla.org for more information.

Metropolitan Human Services District is the local lead agency for mental illness, addictive disorders and intellectual/development disability services. MHSD provides community-based services for all ages in Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes through agency clinics and community partners. State and Federal funding are the primary resources for MHSD. For more information, visit www.mhsdla.org or call 504-568-3130.

MHSD St. Bernard After Hours Clinic Grand Opening

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Metropolitan Human Services District will partner with Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority to host an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) presentation on November 1, 2017 at 5:30pm at University Medical Center, 2000 Canal St. New Orleans, LA. Organized by Healing Minds NOLA, sponsors include CommCare Corporation, The New Orleans Downtown Development District and HRI Properties of New Orleans. The event is free and open to the public.

The process of AOT is to civilly commit by a court those individuals who are non-compliant with behavioral health treatment to receive outpatient treatment as an alternative to incarceration or hospitalization. The presentation will be led by Oscar Kazen, former associate probate judge who implemented the first fully operational civil AOT court in Texas. “AOT is advantageous to assist appropriate persons with getting their behavioral needs met,” says Dr. Rochelle Head-Dunham, MHSD Executive/Medical Director. She added that the challenge is in determining the best, most effective implementation strategy that is reasonable and doable using this coercive model of care.

“We’re happy to promote the discussion of all issues impacting individuals with behavioral health needs in our community,” says Lisa English Rhoden, Executive Director of Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority.

For questions and more information about the presentation, please contact Janet Hays at [email protected] or call 504-274-6091. For more information about Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority, visit www.jphsa.org.

Metropolitan Human Services District is the local lead agency for mental illness, addictive disorders and intellectual/development disability services. MHSD provides community-based services for all ages in Orleans, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes through agency clinics and community partners. State and Federal funding are the primary resources for MHSD. For more information, visit www.mhsdla.org or call 504-568-3130.

MHSD Hosts Presentation on Assisted Outpatient Treatment for Mentally Ill – November 1