Robeson County man says his family and Monarch’s crisis facility helped him find the road to recovery
On Monday, Aug. 28, approximately 50 community members, elected officials, representatives from the hospital, social services, school system, and Eastpointe, the region’s managed care organization (MCO), gathered at Monarch’s Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) center, 207 W. 29th St., Lumberton, for a grand reopening ceremony. The facility was recently renovated and expanded.
The recently renovated crisis program provides in-patient treatment options for people with mental illness and substance use disorders requiring 24-hour secure and medically supervised care.
Monarch received more than $2 million in support from Eastpointe and federal and state funding streams. The Cannon Foundation also contributed to the renovation and expansion of the FBC center. The facility provides the first step in life-changing treatment for adults who are experiencing a mental health crisis or need non-hospital substance use and detoxification services – adults like Charles B., a Robeson County resident, who had become unrecognizable, even to himself.
Charles found Monarch’s Facility-Based Crisis center in Lumberton when his drinking became excessive, and he started to lose friends, jobs, and the ability to cope with daily life.
“I have a very close family. I could see how I was tearing them apart. I was out of my character and I was completely under the influence of alcohol,” Charles admitted. “For years, I was hiding it, or so I thought. I just wanted that drink… I would wake up in the morning and wanted a drink, and I would drink.”
This year, he celebrated three years of sobriety and said Monarch’s staff provided incredible support and guidance to help him find his road to recovery.
“Everybody (at Monarch) was excellent. They took my recovery to heart and I was confident when I walked through those doors that I would be able to make it,” said Charles, who also attends Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings several times weekly at a local church, mentors others who are struggling with substance use, and works a fulltime job he loves. “Now, I take it one day at a time. I wake up each day with the grace of God and I’m clean and sober.”
The extensive renovation and expansion of the FBC grew the facility from 11 beds to 16, increasing Monarch’s ability to provide services to people in Lumberton and neighboring communities who are struggling with a mental health or substance use crisis. The capital project is a partnership between Monarch and Eastpointe. The facility is designed as an appropriate, time-limited alternative to emergency room visits and hospitalization.
“We are grateful to Eastpointe, The Cannon Foundation and others for their support of this project. The renovation and expansion of this facility will enhance the region’s mental health care continuum and allow us to provide critical services as we help people find their road to recovery,” Monarch President and CEO Dr. Peggy Terhune told the audience. “We are excited about the impact this additional space will have on our ability to meet the needs of this community and we are thankful for the support we have received.”
Monarch also provides outpatient services at 2003 Godwin Ave. in Lumberton and has offices in Laurinburg and Whiteville. The organization provides other services throughout the region including therapy, mobile crisis, supported employment and day programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information about services provided in the region, visit www.monarchnc.org or call (866) 272-7826.
Established in 1958, Monarch is a not-for-profit organization that provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. The agency is nationally accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) and certified by The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services as a Critical Access Behavioral Health Agency (CABHA). Monarch operates The Arc of Stanly County, which is a chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States. To learn more about how Monarch provides support, please visit www.MonarchNC.org or call (866) 272-7826.
The Cannon Foundation is an independent foundation established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, President and Chairman of Cannon Mills Company for 50 years. Focused predominately on North Carolina, the endowed funds support healthcare, higher education, human services and community programs through grants primarily for capital projects and equipment.
Eastpointe is a managed care organization (MCO) dedicated to working with individuals and families in eastern North Carolina who struggle with substance abuse, mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In partnership with community agencies, licensed independent practitioners and hospitals, we help the uninsured and those on Medicaid get comprehensive, effective treatment that is essential for their well-being. To learn more about Eastpointe, please visit www.eastpointe.net. To access services 24-hours a day, contact the toll-free Eastpointe Member Call Center at (800) 913-6109.
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