West Central Mental Health Center Celebrates 50 Years

West Central Guidance Center, incorporated in 1962, became an official Community Mental Health Center in 1967. At that time, funding was extremely limited for mental health care. The organization had a handful of employees and rented office space in Canon City, Salida and Leadville.

In the late 1970's expansion of funding allowed the Center to serve more clients and wait-list times, which had been up to three months long, became a thing of the past. Psychiatry was added to the Center's services in the 1980's which was a unique and beneficial specialty to make available in our rural area. In the 1990's the Center acquired land and built permanent clinics in Canon City, Salida and Leadville to better serve our clients.

The 21st Century continues to bring change and advancement to the field of mental health and West Central is positioned to move forward with the industry. The Center was certified by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Department of the Division of Behavioral Health in 2010. This enabled us to implement two evidence-based co-occurring treatment methods to help individuals dealing with a mental illness and a substance abuse problem.

The overarching movement in healthcare is toward integrated care between physical and mental health. West Central is working diligently with physical healthcare providers on the local level to partner in new ways that will allow access to psychiatric and medical services in one location, available to the client in the same office visit. The integrated care concept follows the holistic perspective that our mental and physical functions are intertwined in complex ways and should be treated in conjunction with one another. This exciting model of care draws together expertise, convenience and efficiency, focused on the client, to improve recovery outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Recovery is a reality and West Central Mental Health Center is committed to providing the highest quality behavioral health services to help individuals live full and productive lives. We want to thank our clients and partner agencies in Fremont, Chaffee, Custer and Lake Counties for allowing us to serve you and work with you for the past 50 years. We look forward to many more!