MINOT, N.D. – Prairie Grit, an organization housed within the Minot YMCA, is expanding its specialized services to include mental health support. This move builds upon its existing focus on adaptive sports, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
Derek Hackett, marketing director for Prairie Grit, stated that this expansion is designed to foster "whole-life wellness." He explained that the integration of new mental health services, alongside the recent merger with the YMCA and current offerings, aims to address the comprehensive needs of individuals.
Initially, the mental health services will primarily address the needs of children. However, Prairie Grit has plans to expand its capacity by adding more providers to serve adults, couples, and families in the future.
Shelly Carbo, a provider at Prairie Grit, highlighted the practical benefits of this expansion. She noted that offering both physical therapy and counseling under one roof simplifies care. Carbo specifically pointed out that children who are already familiar with the facility will not need to seek counseling elsewhere, thus avoiding the effort of rebuilding relationships or familiarity at a different location.
According to Hackett, Shelly Carbo is the initial provider in this new initiative. He confirmed that the organization is actively working to establish an entire new wing dedicated to mental health, which will eventually house additional providers to further meet the growing demand for these services.
Hackett underscored the significant need for mental health services within the community, acknowledging that many existing facilities are often overwhelmed with demand. He stated that Prairie Grit aims to provide accessible care, assuring that their "doors are wide open, and so are our time slots," implying readily available appointments.
To access these new mental health services, no referral is needed, and there is currently no wait list. Individuals interested in a consultation can begin the process with a simple phone call. Prairie Grit also works with all major insurance companies, being in-network for their plans, which can help streamline access for many residents.
The renovations for the dedicated mental health wing are currently underway and are projected to reach completion within the next few days. Prairie Grit encourages anyone who believes their mental health services might be beneficial to reach out to schedule a consultation.
