Raising awareness for mental health and addiction
May 15, 2017
Help BancFirst Insurance Services earn an even larger donation to Edmond Family Counseling. If their story is shared on social media 50 or more times May 15-21, Edmond Family Counseling will receive an additional $5,000. Use the buttons and help them reach their goal!
The population of Edmond, Oklahoma, has increased by nearly 40% over the past 20 years - the kind of growth that can make it difficult for a community to respond to changing needs.
Edmond Family Counseling was founded well before the city's population boom, but it plays a leading role in meeting the needs of this expanding community just outside of Oklahoma City.
EFC champions mental health through prevention, education and counseling. Anyone can walk into the agency and be seen right away, and fees are based on a sliding scale tied to income.
"This agency stands in the gap for those who need mental health and substance abuse services, but can't afford to access that care," said Creighton Haddon, an agent with BancFirst Insurance Services in Oklahoma City who has been involved with EFC for six years. "They have stepped up to make things better when it is most needed."
A prime example was when a series of teen suicides shook the community. EFC hosted roundtable discussions, worked closely with schools on intervention and screening and helped found the Central Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Task Force.
The organization also launched a "BeEdmond" mobile app - which targets teens and young adults who feel isolated. It lists over 45 safety, health, education and local support resources.
"It's a great way to reach out to kids who might not be willing or able to learn what to do or get help for a particular problem," said Kathy Matthews, communications and development coordinator for EFC. "Most importantly, there are instant connections to local and national suicide prevention services."
Haddon serves on the board for EFC and chairs fundraising efforts such as the organization's annual golf tournament, which has raised over $75,000 in its first three years. "I'm always looking for ways to bring recognition to what EFC does," he said.
BancFirst agent Creighton Haddon with EFC Executive Director Sheila Stinnett and Communications and Development Coordinator Kathy Matthews.
A 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award will help with that goal. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation from Safeco to Edmond Family Counseling on behalf of BancFirst Insurance Services.
The donation could make it possible for EFC to see 50 more people for counseling, or serve 1,000 students through the LifeSkills program, which teaches kids about how their brains work and how they make decisions, Matthews said.
The impact is undeniable, according to Haddon. "One in four individuals will face an issue related to mental health at some point. Having the ability to walk into Edmond Family Counseling and get help right away from qualified, caring professionals truly saves lives."
Learn more about our winners:
The population of Edmond, Oklahoma, has increased by nearly 40% over the past 20 years - the kind of growth that can make it difficult for a community to respond to changing needs.
Edmond Family Counseling was founded well before the city's population boom, but it plays a leading role in meeting the needs of this expanding community just outside of Oklahoma City.
EFC champions mental health through prevention, education and counseling. Anyone can walk into the agency and be seen right away, and fees are based on a sliding scale tied to income.
"This agency stands in the gap for those who need mental health and substance abuse services, but can't afford to access that care," said Creighton Haddon, an agent with BancFirst Insurance Services in Oklahoma City who has been involved with EFC for six years. "They have stepped up to make things better when it is most needed."
A prime example was when a series of teen suicides shook the community. EFC hosted roundtable discussions, worked closely with schools on intervention and screening and helped found the Central Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Task Force.
The organization also launched a "BeEdmond" mobile app - which targets teens and young adults who feel isolated. It lists over 45 safety, health, education and local support resources.
"It's a great way to reach out to kids who might not be willing or able to learn what to do or get help for a particular problem," said Kathy Matthews, communications and development coordinator for EFC. "Most importantly, there are instant connections to local and national suicide prevention services."
Haddon serves on the board for EFC and chairs fundraising efforts such as the organization's annual golf tournament, which has raised over $75,000 in its first three years. "I'm always looking for ways to bring recognition to what EFC does," he said.
BancFirst agent Creighton Haddon with EFC Executive Director Sheila Stinnett and Communications and Development Coordinator Kathy Matthews.
A 2017 Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award will help with that goal. The honor comes with up to a $10,000 donation from Safeco to Edmond Family Counseling on behalf of BancFirst Insurance Services.
The donation could make it possible for EFC to see 50 more people for counseling, or serve 1,000 students through the LifeSkills program, which teaches kids about how their brains work and how they make decisions, Matthews said.
The impact is undeniable, according to Haddon. "One in four individuals will face an issue related to mental health at some point. Having the ability to walk into Edmond Family Counseling and get help right away from qualified, caring professionals truly saves lives."
Learn more about our winners:
- Agency: BancFirst Insurance Services, www.bfins.com, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Nonprofit: Edmond Family Counseling, www.edmondfamily.org, Edmond, Oklahoma