Manhattan — Pawnee Mental Health Services is dedicated to providing the mental health safety net for the counties of Cloud, Clay, Geary, Jewell, Marshall, Mitchell, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, and Washington. We will continue to provide services to new and existing clients during the COVID-19 situation, with adjustment to how some of these services are provided.
In order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 PMHS is using the most current published guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities. The following changes have been made to best serve our community while protecting the health of our clients, staff and community partners.
- As of Friday March 20, 2020: We are working with all staff to enable them to work from home or the office.
- Clients have three options for receiving services:
o Clients may be served in a Pawnee office (provided they are
not among the mandated quarantine group) o Clients may be served by telephone o Clients may be served by tele-video (if they have access to a computer and internet service)
- New clients should call their local Pawnee Mental Health Office to request services.
- Pawnee staff will make pre-screening phone calls to all clients with scheduled appointments to assess:
o Are they experiencing a combination of symptoms of cough, fever and difficulty breathing? If they are, they can be served by telephone or televideo if they choose. If they prefer to be seen in person, their appointment will be rescheduled no sooner than 24 hours after they are symptom free without the use of fever reducing medications per CDC guidelines. o Do they meet the KDHE mandated 14-day home quarantine guidelines? If they do, they will be served by telephone or televideo if they choose. If they prefer to be seen in person, their appointment will be rescheduled after they complete the 14 day quarantine period. o Were they diagnosed with COVID-19? If they were, they will be served by telephone or televideo if they choose. If they prefer to be seen in person, their appointment will be rescheduled no sooner than seven days after their symptoms started or 72 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medications and symptoms have significantly improved, whichever is longer per KDHE guidelines. o Do they prefer to maintain social distance? If they do, they will be served by telephone or televideo if they choose.
- Signage is placed on the front doors of all buildings providing the same guidance.
- The 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Center will remain open with additional safety precautions in place.
As always, individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis may access the 24/7 crisis services line by calling 1-800-609-2002. For medical emergencies, please call 911.
For the most accurate and up to date information regarding COVID-19 please visit the following websites: the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at cdc.gov or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) at kdheks.gov.
We encourage everyone to pay attention to their mental health during this current COVID-19 situation. People with existing mental health concerns may experience an increase in their symptoms. People who do not usually have mental health support needs may see them emerge.
We will continue to evaluate these changes as the situation evolves. For Pawnee Mental Health Services updates please call the number of your local Pawnee office, follow our Facebook page or visit our website at pawnee.org.
Pawnee Mental Health Services is a licensed community mental health center and licensed substance use treatment center serving more than
7,000 people annually in ten counties in north central Kansas. In these 10 counties Pawnee is the only mental health provider serving the community 365 days a year, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Pawnee is also the only mental health provider who accepts all community members regardless of their ability to pay or status as a client and the only entity providing community-based services to adults with severe and persistent mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances.
