• Between 20-25% of Americans have a mental illness - that means we have around 15,000 people in St. Joseph, Missouri, who have a mental illness severe enough to be diagnosed. 
• In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General called the declining mental health of our kids and youth the “defining public health crisis of our time.”
• 50% of calls to the St. Joseph Police Department are related to mental health issues
• 75% of crimes committed in St. Joseph are due to untreated mental illness

Great question! The care and support provided through the Care Center is provided by members of the Care Team. The technical term for what Care Team members offer is “Lay Counseling.” We have chosen not to call the Care Center a “counseling center” because we are not professional counselors.

Care Team members are individuals who are not clergy and are not licensed mental health professionals. They are all members of Wellspring Community Church who have navigated many challenging experiences in life and want to support those who might find themselves in a similar position. Care Team members believe in the healing power of Jesus Christ and have received extensive training from Christian mental health professionals in how to listen well, ask great questions, get beneath the surface, come alongside you, and prayerfully support you on your journey. In other words, they have been trained in providing “Soul Care.”

So while it may feel and look like counseling, we want to be clear that we are not professional counselors. We are people who love Jesus and want to provide a safe space for people in our city to be seen, heard, and loved. 

We are open to meeting with anyone who submits application forms. You do not have to share the same religious beliefs as us to meet with someone on the Care Team. We meet with people of all faith backgrounds and no faith backgrounds. We will not push or coerce you to follow our Christian beliefs. However, we will talk about the healing power of Jesus Christ, as we believe He is the ultimate Healer. So, if you’re opposed to hearing about God's Word and Christian beliefs, we might not be the best fit for you.

Depending on your unique situation and needs, the Care Center might determine that we are unable to give you the help and support that you need. If that’s the case, we will provide numerous referrals and resources to you. These include, but are not limited to, local counselors, psychiatrists, doctors, attorneys, food banks, shelters, legal aid, group homes, support groups, and more. 

We are located at 2110 Jules Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. We have 3 separate rooms that are utilized by Care Team members to meet with individuals. We have a small waiting area as well. 

There are certain issues our team has experience and training in, and there are others that we are not qualified or competent to help individuals navigate. Therefore, there is no guarantee that we will be able to serve you, even if you submit application forms. If that is the case, we will let you know and refer you to someone who is better suited to give you the help you need. The following are a list of some of the issues that Care Team members can usually help individuals with:

• Emotional & Personal Struggles (e.g., stress, feeling overwhelmed, sadness, loneliness, self-worth issues, intrusive thoughts, etc.) 
• Grief & Loss (e.g., losing a loved one, divorce, miscarriage, friendship loss, church hurt, etc.) 
• Navigating Difficult Relationships (e.g. parenting struggles, addressing conflict, communication issues, boundaries issues, etc.) 
• Spiritual Concerns (e.g., doubting/questioning God, guilt, forgiveness, shame, discerning God's will, identity, etc.) 
• Life Transitions (e.g., career changes, moving, becoming a parent, etc.) 
• Mild Addiction Struggles (e.g., pornography, unwanted sexual behavior, individuals in recovery from substance use, etc.) 
• Supporting Minors (e.g., helping children navigate big emotions, school pressure, behavioral habits, etc.) 

We provide short-term care for people in our community. Some people will only need to meet for one or two sessions with someone on our team; others might need a little more. We will meet with individuals for up to a maximum of seven sessions. If, after the seventh session, it is clear that you need more specialized help than what we can provide, we will refer you to local mental health professionals. 

Sessions themselves usually last around 50 minutes. For minors, it might be a bit shorter.  

There is no cost to meet with a Care Team member. We offer a donation-based service, as we do not want money to hinder anyone from getting help. Our application forms are extensive to ensure people are committed to the growth and healing process. If you meet with one of our Care Team members, you are expected to take your healing seriously. As with anything, you’ll get out of it what you put in. If you find your time meeting with a Care Team member helpful, you are welcome to donate to support the Care Center. You can donate via our website, PayPal, cash, or a check made out to Wellspring Community Church and put “Care Center” in the memo.

If you are in severe distress, please get in touch with your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist immediately. If you are suicidal, please contact the “Suicide & Crisis Lifeline” @ 988. You can also call 911 or contact the Emergency Department @ 816-271-6122.