History

Prior to the 1960’s, residents of Eastern Arkansas had to travel to Little Rock for mental health services. During the John F. Kennedy presidency, in 1963, the Community Mental Health Center’s Act was passed, providing funding to improve mental health services across the country. In order to make services more accessible to the citizens of Arkansas, Dr. George W. Jackson, Commissioner of the Division of Mental Health, decided to create “mini hospitals” in the four corners of the state. The first hospital was built in Jonesboro. However, because this concept proved to be too expensive, the Mental Health Authority divided the state into 13 regions, each having its own mental health center. This allowed citizens to receive mental health treatment in their local communities. Today there are 15 community mental health centers.

East Arkansas Regional Mental Health Center, the original mental health center for East-Central Arkansas, was established in 1970. It replaced what was once a small children’s guidance center in Helena. Through the National Institute of Mental Health, the first grant was awarded to the organization that same year. Part time clinics were established in other areas of the six-county region. A ‘growth grant’ was then awarded in 1972, allowing full time clinics to be established in other counties.

In 1994, the corporation changed leadership and was renamed Behavioral Health Services. During its entire existence, the organization remained a community mental health center and did so under the guidelines of the Division of Mental Health, a subsidiary of the Department of Human Services. In October of 1998, transition was made once again and the organization was renamed to its present name, Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas. For over 30 years, this organization has been certified by the Division of Mental Health as the Community Mental Health Center for Crittenden, Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, and St Francis counties.

Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and uses proven treatment strategies in caring for those with mental illness. As a community mental health center, Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas provides vital mental health care to those who are unable to pay for those services in the private sector. The Division of Mental Health mandates specific treatment programs which serve as the core of services offered by CSEA. These programs continue to flourish, and new programs have been created to meet the needs of Eastern Arkansas.