For the last five decades, the staff with Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network has provided a helping hand to Cass County residents battling issues with mental health and substance abuse.

Despite the advances that Woodlands and other healthcare organizations have made in the time in the treatment of these conditions, the stigma attached by many to individuals dealing with these problems remains prevalent to this day.

On Friday, the organization is hoping to fight back against these misconceptions by inviting the public to special open house event at its two facilities in Cassopolis, in celebration of its upcoming 50th anniversary. From 3-5 p.m. that afternoon, visitors to its facilities at 1124 Austin St. and 960 M-60 E. will have a chance to meet Woodlands staff and tour the facilities.

“I sometimes feel we’re a really well kept secret, so we’re hoping to use this event to spread the knowledge about the services we provide,” said CEO Kathy Emans.

Woodlands began life in October of 1965, when the Cass County Board of Supervisors (the precursor to today’s Board of Commissioners) established a mental health board to oversee the treatment of people dealing with issues related to the condition. Starting out with one employee in a garage in Edwardsburg, Woodlands eventually moved to the basement of the old Cass County Clinic on Lakeland Street before getting its own location in the village, Emans said.

Today, the organization treats around 1,600 people every year, working with patients with mental health substance abuse problems, as well as children with serious emotional disturbances and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The important thing is that we are local option,” Emans said. “Patients don’t have to travel long distances to get care. That’s a barrier for many, since they don’t have means of long distance transportation. If they had to travel for Benton Harbor or Kalamazoo for care, it wouldn’t work out for them.”

Woodlands works closely with the county court system as well, providing assistance to people through the county drug and mental health courts, Emans said.

“We provide treatment as an alternative for incarceration,” she said. “Sometimes, incarceration isn’t the answer; some people just need to be given the opportunity to live a sober life.”

Additional information on services provided by Woodlands can be found at their website, www.woodlandsbhn.org. People who are in need or know someone in need of assistance can contact them at (269) 445-2451.