SAINT THOMAS RIVER PARK HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTES $15,000 TO THE CHEER MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN MCMINNVILLE FOR THE CHILDREN’S PLAYHOUSE

Saint Thomas River Park Hospital has donated $15,000 to the CHEER Mental Health Association in McMinnville to assist with developing and equipping the Children’s Playhouse, a neutral location for children receiving mental health therapy and treatment services.  The CHEER Mental Health Association is aligned with the CHEER Mental Health Center in McMinnville, which is part of Volunteer Behavioral Health.  Volunteer Behavioral Health provides prevention, treatment and recovery services to more than one million Tennesseans in an 11,000-square-mile area of the state.

“We are so appreciative of this contribution, which will go directly to help children in treatment be in an environment that is conducive, neutral and safe for them,” said Bryan Herriman, Director of the CHEER Mental Health Center in McMinnville.  “We had raised funds through a grant to build the Children’s Playhouse, but the building was destroyed in a storm.  Thankfully, it will be replaced and this contribution from Saint Thomas River Park Hospital will help us achieve completion of the facility, including a ramp, flooring, materials for the children to work with and many other specific and necessary improvements that we need.  The Playhouse will have, for instance, a chalk wall and a painting area to engage children during their therapy.”

The contribution is part of Saint Thomas River Park Hospital’s community benefit initiative and philosophy, which addresses mental and emotional health and improving access to service for children in the region served by Saint Thomas River Park Hospital.  Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system.

“We know that children in McMinnville and Warren County, as well as throughout Tennessee, can be profoundly affected by their own and their family’s behavioral health problems,” said Dale Humphrey, Chief Executive Officer of Saint Thomas River Park Hospital.  “Part of our mission is to help break down barriers and help children receive effective mental health treatment.  We applaud the CHEER Mental Health Center for taking this step in building and equipping the Children’s Playhouse, and we appreciate being a part of this initiative.”