Family Guidance Center

Family Guidance Center Offers SATOP Program

Nov 6, 2015 12:00 pm

Written by Family Guidance Center

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SATOP May Look Slightly Different for Each Individual Who Participates

SATOP is the acronym for Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program. It is required for all Missouri drivers who receive a DWI conviction and have their license suspended. The program offers clinical treatment to help individuals who have driven while intoxicated more fully understand what they did and why. The end goal is that individuals would be prepared to avoid making the same choice again in the future.

The St Joseph Family Guidance Center offers several ways to fulfill a SATOP requirement. The initial assessment steps look the same for everyone who enters the program, but once clinicians have identified key markers, referrals are made according to individual assessments. That’s why SATOP can differ slightly depending upon the needs of each person.

For instance, one individual may qualify for the Weekend Intervention Program (WIP). A person would need to complete the entire weekend’s program and have the okay of the clinician before having fully met their SATOP requirement. Other SATOP interventions include group or individual treatment, Offenders Education Program (OEP), or SROP (Serious Repeat Offenders Program). Which program deemed most appropriate would be decided according to the clinician’s assessment. In every case the person must complete the assigned SATOP program and be signed off by the mental health leader.

This means that not everyone can fulfill their SATOP requirement in the same way or in the same amount of time. In a way, SATOP is a gift. It helps a person slow down and examine their actions and the motivations behind those actions and the goal is then that they will not repeat the offense. If help is needed to address how decisions are made, Family Guidance offers the individual counseling that can work on those issues also. Give us a call today and we can tell you more about our SATOP program.

Pop Star Encourages More Open Discussion of Mental Illness

Nov 3, 2015 12:00 pm

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The Stigma of Mental Illness Keeps Many From Seeking Treatment

Pop star Demi Lovato is perhaps best known as the voice of Disney’s Frozen theme song “Let It Go”. She is also lending her voice these days to the cause of mental illness. The singer, who herself has lived with bipolar disorder and addiction, wants to encourage more Americans to be open about their mental health issues. Lovato acknowledges, along with mental health professionals, that stigma keeps many people from admitting their problems and seeking the help they need.

Removing stigma helps the healing of mental illness as it opens the door to talk about personal struggles and frees individuals to reach out for help and support. Many people suffer in secret because they fear that acknowledging their problems will result in guilt or public shame.

Nearly one quarter of the world population experiences mental illness at one time or another during their lives. Depression alone will affect around 10 percent of all Americans at some point. Mental illness is real and it is not rare. It is a health condition that needs and deserves public understanding and public discourse.

However, it’s not enough just to talk about mental illness. Treatment is needed. It is important for individuals with mental illness to feel comfortable reaching out to a mental health professional that addresses personal issues in a meaningful way. Our staff of mental health professionals at Family Guidance Center can provide treatment that is as unique as each individual who comes looking for help. Mental illness is an illness like so many other illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. And like other illnesses it is important to seek professional treatment. Don’t let fear prevent you from getting the help you need. Call us today.