While mental health continues to be an issue in everything from family disputes to shopping mall tragedies, a Northland effort has received high marks for its work with mental health and substance abuse.

Tri-County Mental Health Services recently received outstanding results in a survey of its clients who graded the organization’s program quality. Especially high were client ranking of children’s and family services, which earned approval between 95 and 100 percent.

“We are very proud that our consumer satisfaction scores were so favorable,” noted Tom Cranshaw, Tri-County executive director. “It’s also important to note that we have done this while serving more people with more services than ever before. And our services are more integrated than ever before as well, as we better treat those with co-occurring challenges of mental illness and substance addiction.

“It’s a tremendous credit to our dedicated team care providers,” Cranshaw continued.” Tri-County has an excellent team that works hard to become a provider of choice for Northland consumers who have a brain disease that is known as mental illness.”

Tri-County each year surveys its clients in its programs, from employment assistance to in-home counseling, physician and medication services and day programs. The results were consistently high, with most earning 90-100 percent approval ratings.

Quality Improvement Manager Christie Holm said Tri-County clients were surveyed individually in the programs that served them. Some were given a single questionnaire while others were surveyed throughout the year.

The following are just some of the results of the data we collected during fiscal year 2007:

• 98% of families receiving Children’s Case Management Services reported satisfaction with the services they received.

• 92% of families reported that they felt better equipped to deal with their child’s mental health issues at the conclusion of children’s community based services.

• 84% of consumers receiving Vocational Services maintained their job at least 90 days after services ended.

• 99% of adult consumers receiving case management services reported satisfaction with the services they received.

• 96% of consumers reported that they were satisfied with the intake process.

• 87% of consumers receiving Medication Services for reported that they felt the treatment they were receiving from their doctor and nurse was helpful.

• 95% of consumers receiving outpatient therapy reported that their therapist understood their problems, needs, and goals

• 96% of consumers participating in our substance abuse treatment programs reported that they were treated with dignity and respect.

• 100% of consumers receiving compulsive gambling services reported that they were satisfied with the services they received.