Corinth-Area First Responders Receive Mental Health Resources
Interactive series provides mental health education, resources
Sharon Gates-Albert, LPC, NCC, NCSC
A licensed professional counselor with experience as a probation and parole officer is sharing mental-health resources with first responders in Corinth and surrounding communities.
Sharon Gates-Albert, LPC, NCC, NCSC, a therapist with Right Track Medical Group in Corinth, began leading a series of lunch and learns for first responders this fall.
Albert holds a master’s degree in counselor education and a PhD in leadership. Albert’s experience in mental healthcare spans over 30 years, including eight years in outpatient mental healthcare in North Mississippi.
The first event, held in Ripley on Nov. 7, focused on providing first responders with community resources and educating them about common mental health concerns, such as depression and PTSD. Participants received one contact hour for mental health education training for attending.
“We want to share Right Track’s approach to mental healthcare, provide education and discuss how mental health impacts the community as a whole,” Albert said. “Our primary focus for these events is on first responders. We want to talk to them about specific concerns they may see on the job, the signs and symptoms they should recognize and how to appropriately respond to the individuals they’re assisting.”
Albert, a former probation and parole officer, has firsthand knowledge of the experiences that first responders have while in the field. Albert notes that many first responders experience traumatic events that impact their own mental health, so it’s important that they know where to seek treatment for themselves and their community.
“The group was able to share their personal experiences and ask scenario specific questions,” Albert said. “Many of them are frustrated with the limited resources they have. Now they can point people in their community to local resources like the Right Track clinic, as well as to national resources.”
Albert said opportunities to discuss mental health in the community also help break down barriers for what can be a taboo subject.
“People don’t like talking about mental health,” she said. “But they need to be aware of what mental health concerns look like, where to seek treatment, and what additional resources are available to them. These events help people understand how common these concerns are and that people can get better if they are able to seek the help they need.”
Right Track Medical Group provides accessible, quality outpatient mental-health services in North Mississippi. To make an appointment at the Corinth clinic, call (662)-594-8355.