Concern about the obstacles Hurricane Harvey is imposing on the facilitation of effective clinical treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders has prompted Northbound Treatment Services to issue an outreach directive for fellow treatment centers in the heavily damaged Houston area.
Torrential rainfall, desecrating winds and widespread flooding from Hurricane Harvey, measured as the strongest storm to hit the United States since 2005, have forced more than 30,000 people out of their homes this week. Its sweeping damage is expected to be among the costliest for storms in U.S. history. The National Weather Service’s Twitter page billed Harvey as “unprecedented” and added that “all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced. Follow orders from officials to ensure safety.”
Members of the leadership and clinical teams at Northbound have been advised to maintain communication with associates in the region so that full behavorial healthcare support remains accessible to their clients and staff in the wake of the devastation from last weekend’s historical Category 4 storm. Further outreach through social media and other information avenues has also been planned to connect with many more professionals at treatment centers and agencies across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties.
Northbound President/Founder Paul Alexander and CEO Mike Neatherton strongly adhere to the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) guideline that promotes “cultivation of good relationships with related public and private agencies, associations and institutions.” In 2016, Northbound put a similar outreach strategy in place when severe flooding ravaged the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana.
“Truth be told, we work in a tightly networked segment of healthcare, and at times like these compassion compels us to reach out and offer whatever assistance we can,” Neatherton stated in this week’s announcement. “Northbound stands ready to do exactly that. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our alumni, friends and partners in the Houston area as they experience the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.”
David Allen Gates, Northbound’s admissions and referral relations manager for The Menninger Clinic, which is located on Houston’s south side just three miles from the expansive shelter set up at NRG Stadium, has had open dialogue this week with some of his long-standing colleagues at their facility.
“I just wanted them to know that we were thinking of them during this horrific storm,” Gates said. “And all of us here at Northbound are willing and able to support in any way possible to any of the behavioral healthcare facilities located in the coastal area of Texas that may have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. It’s obviously a very difficult situation for everyone involved, especially for the dedicated healthcare professionals who are helping individuals recover from addiction and mental health issues, while at the same time not knowing whether they have a house or a neighborhood to go back home to.”
In addition to a formal outreach to addiction treatment providers in the Houston area, Northbound has made a financial contribution to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Many clients and alumni have come to our facilities in Newport Beach from Texas during our 30-plus years in behavorial healthcare treatment — it is difficult to see their beloved homeland under such heavy duress. We encourage others here in the Orange County area to make a donation to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund or The American Red Cross if they haven’t already done so.
