Host Jessica Koussevitzky was on hand at the annual Henderson Behavioral Health Gala this past Saturday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. This year the Leo Goodwin Foundations and the United Way – Mission United were honored.
About Henderson Behavioral Health:
Henderson Behavioral Health is the oldest and largest, community-based not-for-profit behavioral healthcare system in South Florida. Since 1953 Henderson has helped hundreds of thousands of children, adults and families. Last year alone, Henderson helped over 20,000 individuals, providing 600,000 services at 20 locations in South Florida.
We strive to be a “community problem solver,” and have carefully and intentionally focused our efforts on some of Florida’s most urgent behavioral health and human services needs. In addition to providing the full-range of evidence-based behavioral healthcare services to all ages, Henderson is also committed to creating and managing a system of housing for adults and children.
We operate over 650 housing units throughout the South Florida region; including supportive housing, permanent housing for those with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, a safe-haven and emergency homeless shelter, residential treatment and group home care.
HISTORY
In 1947, the women of The Junior League of Fort Lauderdale concerned themselves with the lack of public agencies available for affordable psychiatric and casework services to the families of Broward County. They conducted a need assessment and asked Miss Ethel McLane, a professionally trained Social Worker and Director of the Community Service Council, to serve as their professional consultant. A planning committee was formed in 1951 and was composed of lay people who held various fundraising events. In 1953 their efforts culminated in the opening of The Family and Children’s Counseling Center. The Center operated for two years providing clinical services with a staff that included a clinical psychologist, psychiatric social worker and a part time consulting psychiatrist.
Three years later, to better meet the community needs, another psychologist, clinical social worker and part-time psychiatric consultant were hired. The name of the Clinic was changed to The Broward Mental Hygiene Clinic, Inc. thus emphasizing the importance of healthy mental habits in the same way that good physical hygiene is important. Our motto became “Minds Matter,” furthering the importance of the mind and body synergy.
