The Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex has provided services for more
than 30 years to residents of its service area. During that time, the services
we provide have increased dramatically. When the agency began in 1974, there
were only three graduate social workers and no psychiatrists or psychologists
residing in the 10 counties of southwest Mississippi. Individuals needing
mental health services had to sacrifice a day to commute to Jackson, Baton
Rouge or New Orleans and could expect to pay expensive fees for professional
help.
Today Mississippi is divided into 15 mental health regions. The Southwest
Mississippi Mental Health Complex (Region 11) serves the largest geographic
area in the state – 10 counties encompassing approximately 5,250 square miles.
The regional administrative office is in McComb. Other major satellite offices
are in Brookhaven and Natchez, and the Complex maintains program sites in all
10 counties served. Executive Directors who have led the Complex since its
inception include Charles Ray (1974-79), Odell Briggs (1979-82), Bill
Livingston (1982-92), Bill Hogan (1993-97), Ray Wallace (1997-2004) and Dr.
Steve Ellis (2004-present). The staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists,
mental health therapists, case managers, substance abuse counselors, nurses and
support staff. The region has a governing board, The Southwest Mississippi
Mental Health/Mental Retardation Commission, to oversee its operations.
Since 1974, the Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex has grown
considerably and now operates programs and services at approximately 25 sites.
The Complex is not a federal or state agency that receives a legislative
appropriation to fund its services. We are a nonprofit, public-service agency.
For this reason, we depend on fees for services, grants, county support,
reimbursement from third party providers (Medicaid, Medicare, insurance) and
donations to support our services. Even though fees are charged, many persons
living within our region qualify for a discounted fee on our sliding fee scale,
based on family income and number of family members.
We’re here today, as we have been for over 30 years, caring for our community.