On the evening of May 23, Regional Health Systems, a member of Regional Care Group and Crossroads Chamber partnered with one another to hold their first-ever Business After Hours event. This year’s event, which was held in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, was hosted at Regional Health Systems’ Merrillville Care Center.
The attendees included Regional Care Group staff, Crossroads Chamber members, and members of the community. A variety of delicious finger foods as well as non-alcoholic beer, soda, and punch were served. Bill Trowbridge, president and CEO of Regional Care Group, feels that this event is an important one for several reasons.
“This event provides us with an opportunity to spread the word about who we are and what we do,” Trowbridge said. “We offer support for individuals with substance abuse issues. Our Geminus offers early childhood, family and prevention services. We offer a little of everything and we want to let community members know that this is a place where they can come to get the help they need. Events like this are beneficial because it enables us to bring people together in one spot where they can make connections and learn who to reach out to for whatever they need.”
Placards displaying statistical information about the mental health services that Regional Health Systems provided its clients in 2023 were set up for the attendees’ perusal. Statistical information for the services provided by Geminus and Lake Park Residential Care, Regional Care Group’s two other members, was similarly displayed. Regional Care Group Board of Directors Chair Carla Houck considers the mental health theme of the Business After Hours event to be complementary to Regional Care Group’s values and mission.
“This is a mental health facility,” Houck said. “We provide integrated service to members of the community. We have the professionals, staff, and experience to handle a wide variety of cases right here in this building. We can help a person with multiple needs because we don't just treat one thing. We're the one provider who can give referrals to different resources throughout our own organization and help that person in more aspects of their life than just one.”
While at the event, attendees were invited to take a look at the progress being made on Regional Health Systems’ new Crisis C.A.R.E. unit. Once construction has been completed, this facility will offer clients whatever mental health services they require, day or night. The facility will feature comfortable furnishings and will even have a crisis vehicle that will enable Regional Health Systems staff members to go and be with clients at a moment’s notice.
Crossroads Chambers President and CEO Deann Patena views this event as an excellent opportunity for collaboration between Crossroads Chamber and Regional Health Systems.
“We were very excited when Bill Trowbridge asked us to partner with Regional Care Group for this event,” Patena said. “Crossroads Chamber is all about supporting local businesses and our members love doing that. That's why we love them. This event gives them another great opportunity to mingle, meet new people, and discuss what is taking place in the community. It’s also gives them the chance to tell others what Crossroads Chamber and our members have been doing,”
The attendees continued to enjoy the refreshments as they went about their networking and casual chatting. Each connection that was formed or strengthened at this event contributes to a stronger and more effective support system for individuals living with mental health issues throughout the Region.
To learn more about the services that Regional Health Systems offers, please visit rhs.care
