New Gateway director reaches out to those with substance issues
"Help is available if you are struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues." That's A'nna Jurich's message to her clients at Gateway Foundation in Carbondale, and to southern Illinoisans in general.
"Gateway is here to help, and there are other agencies ready to help," she said. "All you have to do is ask. We will help you find the help that you need."
Jurich was named executive director of Gateway's Carbondale facility just last month. She's a master-level graduate of SIU in rehabilitation counseling, a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified reciprocal alcohol drug counselor.
Jurich has worked in the substance-abuse field since 1990, providing counseling to adults and adolescents with a primary focus on addictions and trauma. She is also a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and has been providing that training for Gateway and other agencies since 2007.
"I've been here, working with Hill House, the agency that was here before Gateway," she said. "I signed on with Gateway in 1994 as a counselor, so I've watched this agency grow and expand services, and I've been a part of the training provided to staff."
Gateway's services have expanded exponentially since the Carbondale facility opened in 1994.
"People may not be aware of how broad our services are," Jurich said. "Gateway started by offering residential treatment for adolescents, but at this point we provide that and much more, including additional recovery programs and additional support.
"We have separate men's and women's programs. We provide psychiatric care for residential clients and medication-assisted treatments in both our outpatient and residential programs. We offer family counseling, too," she said.
Those methods are supported by Gateway's 40-plus years of experience in helping thousands of adults and teens get their lives back on track. Each client is assigned a team of highly trained, multidisciplinary licensed substance-use disorder treatment professionals, including on-site medical doctors, nurses, psychiatrists and counselors.
Programs include residential care, day treatment, intensive outpatient treatment tailored to clients' schedules, and aftercare programs.
"We make sure our clients have everything they need, whether it be housing, outpatient care for substance abuse, or connections with self-help groups," she said. "We want them to understand that when they walk out of our doors, we will still be here to support them and continue that relationship with them, their families and the community."
One of Jurich's primary goals is to partner with more local entities, including schools, hospitals and police departments, to get more people in need connected to treatment options and resources.
"We want to get the word out about our services and be more involved in the southern Illinois community," she said. "We have a wonderful staff here with a wealth of knowledge, talent and experience, and we're reaching out to regional agencies, health care providers and local support groups asking, 'How can we help?"
For more information on services at Gateway's Carbondale facility, visit recovergate way.org or call 618-529-1151. To reach Gateway's 24-hour helpline, call 877-505-4673.