Southwest Regional Support Network (SWRSN) Mental Health Providers offer a wide variety of culturally competent services to individuals based on their needs.

If you or a family member think you are having mental health crisis,

please call the 24/7 Crisis Line:

(360) 425-6064 or 1-800-803-8833

Services are available to Medicaid Enrollees.  For more information about qualifying for Medicaid, please click here to go to DSHS's website: 

Below is a list of services you may be eligible for:|

PLEASE CLICK ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING HELPFUL QUESTIONS:

How can I get into mental health services?

What can I expect at my first appointment?

What is a treatment plan?

What is an Advance Directive?

Why should I have a Crisis Plan?

Can I request a Second Opinion?

Can I switch to a different mental health provider?

What can I do if I am not satisfied with my services?

Who can help me with a Grievance, Appeal or Fair Hearing?

   Definitions for terms in blue color will follow shortly. 

How can I get mental health services?  If you think that you need mental health services, you can contact one of the SWRSN's Mental Health Providers to schedule an appointment for an intake evaluation.  The intake evaluation is used to decide what mental health services you may need. 

What can I expect at my first appointment?  Your intake evaluation appointment with one of the SWRSN mental health providers will help to identify your mental health needs.  You and a clinical therapist will work together to identify your goals and treatment options.  In some cases, you may see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse to determine if medication may help treat your symptoms.  If you would like help voicing your concerns, you may contact the Family Advocate at 360-423-6741. 

What is a treatment plan?  This is a document that uses consumer voice  to outline your individual or family strengths, support needs, and ways to achieve results specific to the needs you identify.  The treatment plan is designed to help you and/or your family obtain desired goals, reduce symptoms, improve functioning and facilitate recovery.  The treatment plan must:

• Be developed by you with your provider, other people identified by you, and in consultation with any specialists.
• Use language and terms that are understandable to you/your family.
• Demonstrate that you/your family’s voice was heard and reflected in the treatment goals.
• Be coordinated with other formal and informal service systems such as school, probation, or social services.

• Include goals that are measurable so you know when things have been completed.
• Be adjusted when your needs change or outcomes are not being met.
• Be developed within 30 days of beginning services and updated every 180 days.

What is an Advance Directive?     An Advance Directive is a written document that describes your directions and preferences for treatment and care during times when you are having difficulty communicating and making decisions.  It can inform others about what treatment you want or don’t want, and it can identify a person called an ‘agent,’ you choose to make decisions and act on your behalf.

There are advantages to having a mental health advance directive:

• Providers and others will know what you want when you can’t express yourself well.
• The law requires providers to respect what you write in a mental health advance directive to the fullest extent possible.

The law requires mental health providers to respect your mental health advance directive, but they are not required to follow it in all cases. If instructions or preferences in your mental health advance directive are against provider policy, are unavailable, or would violate state or federal law or immediately endanger you or others, providers are not obligated to comply with those provisions. Also, if you are involuntarily hospitalized under the Involuntary Treatment Act, or are incarcerated in jail, your mental health advance directive may not be fully honored. 

Complaints concerning non-compliance with the advance directive may be filed with the Mental Health Division Licensing and certification section at 1-888-713-6010. 

Additional information regarding Advance Directives: You may read the law online at http://www.leg.wa.gov.  Follow the links to Laws and Agency Rules.  Look under Revised Code of Washington for RCW 71.32.

• Call your local mental health provider.
• Contact the Cowlitz County Ombuds service: (360) 414-0237.

Why should I have a Crisis Plan?    A crisis plan is a document that can help you/your family keep you safe when you are in crisis.    When you meet with your mental health provider, discuss the benefits of having a crisis plan and whether or not one is desired in your specific case.

 In some cases, a crisis plan is required.  If you have/are: 

• A history of psychiatric hospitalization.
• Complex medical issues.
• Current or previous Crisis Team involvement.
• Been homeless, involved with the Adult/Juvenile Justice System, Child Protective Services, Department of Children and Family Services, or suspended from school in the past six months.
• Suicidal or have a history of suicide attempts.
• At risk for a more restrictive setting (inpatient or residential care).
• Engaging in or have a history for high risk and/or dangerous behaviors.
• A co-occurring disorder (mental health and drug involvement).

Can I request a Second Opinion?  Southwest Regional Support Network provides for a second opinion from a qualified mental health professional within the network, or arranges for one outside the network, at no cost to the consumer.  For details ask your primary mental health care provider.

Can I switch to a different mental health provider?   You have the right to change your primary care provider or provider agency one time during a calendar year for any reason.  Changing again during the calendar year can only be for documented good cause, by notifying the provider of the desired change and the reason for it.

What can I do if I am not satisfied with my services?   First, contact the agency directly with your Complaint.  Each agency has a Customer Service Representative who can assist you if you have a question, concern, or complaint about your services.  If you are not satisfied with the resolution, and wish to file a Grievance, please contact the Mental Health Ombuds to help resolve your complaint or grievance.  You may also contact the SWRSN Quality Manager at 360-501-1201 or 800-347-6092.  You can file an Appeal if you receive a written Notice of
Action from the SWRSN. 

 Mental Health Ombuds

c/o Southwest Regional Support Network

1952 9^th Ave.

Longview, WA 98632

(360) 414-0237

 

Who can help me with a Grievance, Appeal or Fair Hearing?  The Mental Health Ombuds can assist you with grievances, appeals, and the state fair hearing process.  The Ombuds helps enrollees resolve concerns about mental health services.