PMH Rural Health Clinic Now Offers Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment

We interviewed John Borgens, who recently became the new counselor/therapist for the Behavioral Health Unit of the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital’s Rural Health Clinic.

John, can you tell us a little about yourself?

“I’ve been doing counseling for over 40 years now,” said Borgens. “Had my own private practice in Northern Virginia, and moved down to the Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West (Florida,) and now I am at Pocahontas (Memorial) Hospital. And we have an amazing staff here that treats people, and have been dealing with the physical Aspects. And now we’re able to offer services for mental health and substance abuse.”

“We are part of the Rural Health Clinic, and this is the Behavioral Health Services. It’s exciting because we’re just getting this service developed here in the Rural Health Clinic. It offers mental health and substance abuse counseling.”

“These days, mental health and substance abuse has evolved to the point where people don’t have to suffer in silence. If you come in and have an issue and no issue is too big or too small. Our sole goal is to help people improve the quality of their life. And, if they are feeling like things are just not OK, we find it’s very helpful to talk to a third (and) objective party. Sometimes just talking and getting the thoughts out -verbalizing thoughts and putting them into words- can be very beneficial helping solve problems.”

A lot of people feel like there is a stigma in getting any kind of mental health counseling or help.

“You know, it is interesting because if you have a problem with your car -especially now with cars being so sophisticated as they are engine wise- you can kind of figure out how to get it fixed, but if you take it to a mechanic, you can get it fixed a whole lot quicker, and probably get it done right. And, what we have found in mental health is sometimes people just need a little nudge or they need a tool. If you have the right kind of tool to address an issue, it makes getting it fixed a whole lot easier.”

“The first step in counseling is for the client to look at themself and focus on what is in their control and what is out of their control. We, of course, focus on what is in their control. And sometimes it is just a matter of re-thinking some things or identifying some thinking errors, getting people motivated. I guess the real first step is for somebody to come in here and begin to feel like there is some hope. And, if you feel like there’s some hope, then we can identify some steps and begin to get some positive momentum. I generally see people as an individual, not a diagnosis, and I have a variety of paths to help them get to the goals they want to accomplish.”

Is there anything you would like to add?

“Help is available,” replied Borgens, “you don’t have to suffer in silence. Sometimes if there is a major crisis it is easy to see that talking helps. if there is a death or a divorce or some kind of tragedy, some kind of crisis, it is very beneficial to talk and just talk to a professional and help get those emotions identified. And just have somebody listen and show that they care, can be very beneficial.”

“People, especially if they care and are kind-hearted, tend to put a lot of their energy into taking care of other people. A lot of their energy goes out. And, sometimes it is a matter of helping them move them self-up on their own priority list so that they can begin to schedule in some activities for their own self-care, and take care of their own mental health.”

How do people get in contact with you?

“The easiest way,” Borgens said, “would be to just call the Rural Health Clinic, and they would be happy to take your identifying information and set up a time. The number they would call would be 304-799-6200.”

Thank you, John.

It is good to know that right here, at the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital’s Rural Health Clinic, there is a new source of help for people suffering from emotional issues or addiction.