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By Jennifer Parks

ALBANY — The Albany Area Primary Health Care Behavioral Wellness Center got its official welcoming with a ribbon-cutting Friday morning.

The clinic opened at 1712-B E. Broad Ave., located behind the AAPHC East Albany Medical Center, in January. Even with more staff members added since then, the center continues to see a full schedule.

A year ago, Dr. Wanda Gobin began working with two nurse practitioners at various AAPHC sites providing behavioral health care. When a great need became increasing evident, an annex building between East Albany Medical Center and East Albany Pediatric and Adolescent Center was renovated and dedicated solely to the purpose of addressing issues related to mental health.

“It is a blessing for this community,” said AAPHC COO Clifton Bush. “This is something we have prayed about.”

Gobin said she is happy to see the infrastructure in place for the behavioral health service line, which is meant to help close the gap on a much-needed aspect of health care often provided inconsistently in rural areas.

While closing that gap, the goal is assisting patients in maintaining the lifestyle of productive citizens.

“The goal is not just to have someone receive a pill and go on,” she said.

Medication prescription does play a part, but there are other elements including therapy, educational programs and case management brought in to give patients proper care.

“We hope to make a positive impact,” Gobin said.

Representatives from the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Phoebe Putney Health System and Albany Advocacy Resource Center were among those on hand to see the ribbon cutting.

While mental health is one of the region’s biggest health needs, there is not often much money earmarked to address it — making any strides for improving access all the more noteworthy. The hope, officials at AAPHC said Friday, is that the clinic continues to grow.

“We have a good community with great community partners. We are very excited about this opportunity. We have certainly been looking forward to this for a long time,” said AAPHC CEO Shelley Spires.

More than 20 clinical sites are operated through AAPHC, including several school-based sites throughout Southwest Georgia. In 2015, the organization saw 768 mental health patients who accounted for 1,103 visits.

For more information on the Behavioral Wellness Center, call (229) 639-3135.