Behavioral Health

Contact Information

1260 Ajijaak Ave, Petoskey, MI. 49770
Phone: 231-242-1640

Randall Koch Behavioral Health Program Manager (231) 242-1650 rkoch@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Patrick Boda Administrative Assistant (231) 242-1640 pboda@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Brenda Schoolcraft Office & ATR Intake Coordinator (231) 242-1642 bschoolcraft@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Jeannie Norris MSW Masters Level Counselor (231) 242-1711 jnorris@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Kim O’Brien-Sylvain, LLMSW Masters Level Counselor (231) 242-1646 ksylvain@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Melissa S. Merchant, LLPC Masters Level Counselor (231) 242-1643 mmerchant@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Angie Woodin, LLMSW, MA, M.Ed. SPRING Grant Project Coordinator (231) 242-1649 awoodin@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Vacant SPRING Grant Community Organizer
Kenny Dewey SPRING/Rx Grant Prevention Outreach Worker II (231) 242-1641 kdewey@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Suicide Prevention Initiative Suicide Outreach Specialist (231)-242-1645
Matt Davis Traditional Advisor (231) 242-1734 mdavis@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov
Sara Hacker Case Manager (231) 242-1745 shacker@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov

WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE?
Substance abuse/dependence is characterized by consequences.

 

  • Arguing with family or friends or employers about your right to drink or use drugs. Having excuses for being late to work or for leaving early. Rationalizing to justify your use: example; it’s legal, or I’m not hurting anyone but myself, I need a drink or two to calm down, I’m under a lot of stress.
  • Spending more money on alcohol or drugs than you intended.
  • Drinking or using more than you intended or more often.
  • Being late for work. Leaving work early, with or without an excuse, usually pretending to be sick.
  • Stopping at a bar on the way home for a couple of drinks and drinking more than a couple. Being scared on the way home that the police may stop you and find you have been drinking and driving; or, actually getting an OUIL.
  • Having more physical problems than usual such as hangovers, cold and flu-like symptoms for more than two weeks in a row such as throwing up or feeling like you are going to, slight hand tremors, usually in the morning after a drinking episode the night before, headache, dizziness, double vision, a poor appetite.
  • Legal problems, OUIL, public intoxication, drunk and disorderly, or other more serious problems directly attributed to the use of alcohol or drugs.

 

These are common signs and symptoms of abuse and/or dependency. If you have any of these occurring in your life, seek professional help. Often these problems can be helped if identified early enough, without long-term treatment. Often two or three individual educational/counseling sessions can help identify the severity of the problem and can help identify possible corrective measures. If the severity identified requires treatment, then treatment options will be discussed and referrals will be made.

 

Substance abuse assessments are free if you are Native American and can identify a problem before it becomes expensive.

 

If residential treatment is recommended, insurance companies may pay 50% to 80% depending on the company. Adolescent treatment is paid for by Indian Health Services.

 

Substance abuse does not have to become dependency. It can be arrested before it becomes dysfunctional. Dependency can be arrested with treatment and support from organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. If left untreated, chemical dependency can be fatal.

 

A Guide to Addiction and Recovery for Veterans
Veterans Drug Addiction and Treatment

The Behavioral Health Program provides a culturally-sensitive and family-focused curriculum to assist clientele in re-establishing and fostering healthy lifestyles and to assist clientele in healthy decision making. They also provide individual, family, and group counseling, recognizing the concept of alcoholism and drug addiction as treatable diseases. Other services include assessments, education, prevention, and referrals to services otherwise not available at the tribal level. The Behavioral Health Program is licensed with the State of Michigan and accredited through the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF).

 

The Mental Health Program has four components. They include therapeutic services for individuals (adults, adolescents, children), families and groups including assessments and educational outreach. A culturally-sensitive team of qualified professionals using a holistic treatment model provides the outpatient mental health services. The Mental Health Program is accredited through the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF).

 

LTBB Suicide Prevention Initiative
Suicide is a pervasive problem for Indian Country that impedes our tribal communities from living harmoniously. A loss of life can send shockwaves throughout the community. Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for American Indians/Alaskan Natives of all ages. American Indian/Alaskan Native adolescents are disproportionately impacted as suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. The following links will connect individuals to supportive suicide prevention resources.

https://www.imalive.org
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://www.facebook.com/LTBBSUICIDEPREVENTION/

For more information about Behavioral Health

 

Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Pamphlet
ATR Pamphlet
ATR for Veterans Pamphlet