Author: Human Resources

A retired Huntsville psychiatrist is still making a difference in community mental health, long after hanging up his hat. 

Dr. Bill Goodson, the first director of what was originally the Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Center, is still supporting the nonprofit, not as a practicing physician, but as a donor and advocate.  

“I’m so happy to see what WellStone is doing,” Dr. Goodson shared. “You’re all doing such a good job.” 

Goodson, a Huntsville native, spent decades supporting the organization’s mission. Recent developments at WellStone reignited his passion and engagement. 

His story of service began in 1953. After graduating from Huntsville High School, Goodson went to Vanderbilt University to study medicine. Then followed his psychiatric residency in Boston with his wife, Elise, and their three children. 

He was serving two years in the Army’s 82^nd Airborne Division in North Carolina when he learned that his booming hometown had only one psychiatrist, Dr. Himon Miller. The family returned to the Rocket City, where Goodson began practicing psychiatry. Not surprisingly, Dr. Miller already had a month’s worth of patients lined up for him. 

Dr. Goodson stayed busy and remained passionate about his work in private practice. But in 1969, a new opportunity emerged, and he seized it, becoming the first medical director to lead the newly formed Mental Health Center. 

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something for my hometown. This wonderful city,” explained Goodson. This wasn’t just an administrative, clinical, or medical position. He also had to fundraise, adding, “I was writing grants left and right. It was all-consuming. But it was worth it. “ 

Worth it because he and his small team, which included clinical psychologists Dr. Roger Rinn and Dr. Jack Turner, were making a difference. Ralph Ford, John Hays, and other Board members also played important roles in getting the Mental Health Center off the ground.

“We started a day treatment program for kids,” said Rinn. “Dr. Goodson was dedicated to the center and its purpose of making sure everyone who needed mental health services received them.” 

“We did some really important work,” Goodson added. “One of the priorities was keeping care close to home and to stop the flow of people to the state hospitals. We had a great relationship with Huntsville Hospital and were very proud of that. We broke down barriers.” 

Later in his career, Goodson also went out into Huntsville’s homeless camps. That’s something WellStone, along with several nonprofit partners, still does today.  

“I saw desperate people who had been abandoned by everyone,” Goodson recalled. “I loved those guys and gals. There weren’t many happy endings, but there were some. You just keep going.”  

And WellStone keeps going, too. 

“It’s taken a long time,” said WellStone CEO Jeremy Blair. “Mental healthcare has, historically, had substantial barriers, but we are knocking them down with quality programs that are accessible and affordable. Goodson and his immediate successors, like Dr. Joann Moorman and Dr. Gary Porier, were true trailblazers in mental health care for our community. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.” 

Dr. Goodson is also grateful, particularly for WellStone’s expansions in crisis care. WellStone Emergency Services (WES) opened in October 2022, becoming one of the state’s first 24/7 standalone crisis care centers. When CEO Jeremy Blair announced the pediatric addition, which is nearing completion, Goodson was moved to support the project charitably. 

“I’m just so happy that we’re finally getting the full complement of services,” he said. “That was the original intent. Your team is completing what we set out to do. We can take good care of our folks, especially our children, without having to send them far away.” 

Goodson, who left his full-time position at the Mental Health Center in 1980 and retired from private practice in 2010, has seen the field evolve dramatically over his career. When he started, electroshock was still commonly used for depression; insurance wouldn’t cover mental health care; and mental illness was hugely misunderstood.  

“People got it mixed up with religion,” Goodson recalled, saddened by the heartbreaking stigma his patients often faced. “They figured it must be the devil and everyone just had to pray a good bit more.”  

Fortunately, stigma, while persistent, has diminished greatly. Goodson, 87, is satisfied knowing thousands of patients are benefiting from the organization he helped get off the ground.  

“I’ve been in practice since 1972,” said Rinn. “Dr. Goodson is the best psychiatrist I’ve ever worked with. He’s my hero.”  

A hero who played a substantial role in WellStone’s past, and, now as a thoughtful donor, is playing a meaningful part in WellStone’s future.     

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Mark your calendars! WellStone’s quarterly book club meets again in July.

WellRead The Book Club uses highly rated books to launch real conversations about mental illness and addiction, exploring the powerful topics that shift, and sometimes shake, our lives. 

Join us Tuesday, July 23, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Nativity, a centralized location for our readers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. WellRead is a free event open to the community. Registration required; space is limited.

Interested in joining? It’s time to order this quarter’s selected work! We’ll be reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, which explores the impact of modern technology on youth mental health. Haidt’s book has been a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Note: Reading the selected work beforehand is encouraged, but not required.

Find your copy of The Anxious Generation at Snail on the Wall, North Alabama’s online bookstore, which offers free delivery to local doorsteps. 

WellRead averages 30 attendees spanning multiple age groups. Gatherings are shaped by guided questions, honest reflections, and sincere connections between readers. View photos from our last event.

Together, we can turn a new page on mental illness and addiction in our community.

Register today—and start reading!

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WellStone is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and North Alabama’s mental healthcare leader, serving children, adolescents, and adults in Madison County, Cullman County, and surrounding communities.

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WellStone to become one of Alabama’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and Implement Transformative Model of Care

The State Selected for CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program

Huntsville, AL, Alabama’s behavioral healthcare system begins an important transition this week, and WellStone is one of two community mental health centers in the state leading the way toward a new model of care. Announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Alabama is one of ten states selected for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Medicaid Demonstration Program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in partnership with SAMHSA.

WellStone (Madison County) joins AltaPointe Health (Mobile County) as one of the first two clinics in the state to be certified as a CCBHC and implement this transformative model of care. The CCBHC model of care ensures access to 24/7 crisis care and accessibility to services regardless of ability to pay, and strengthens care coordination efforts with hospitals, law enforcement, and schools. With its implementation comes transformed behavioral healthcare systems – and transformed communities.

“Today’s announcement and Alabama’s selection to join the CCBHC demonstration program will transform mental healthcare in our state. It will eventually lead to better access to care and an expanded continuum of care,” says CEO Jeremy Blair.

WellStone first received funding in 2022 to adopt the CCBHC model of care, leading to an expansion of services, including the addition of primary care, the implementation of a much-needed adult mobile crisis team in Huntsville, and more. With inclusion to the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program comes new, sustainable funding to continue and expand these services and others, building upon WellStone’s robust continuum of care.

According to the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), “CCBHCs are providing an estimated three million people nationally with mental health and substance abuse treatment and care, with 79% of clinics serving more people after becoming a CCBHC, according to the 2024 CCBHC Impact Report. States that have successfully implemented the CCBHC Model are seeing improvements in 24/7 access to quality care, workforce capacity, and improved patient outcomes.”

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CCBHCs offer a comprehensive range of mental health and substance abuse disorder services, ensuring accessibility for all individuals seeking care, regardless of their ability to pay or place of residence. CCBHCs integrate mental health and substance use treatment with physical health care, adhere to rigorous quality and accountability standards, and work to remove barriers to treatment. The model also increases the availability of crisis intervention services. This initiative builds on the ADMH Alabama Crisis System of Care, which includes crisis services throughout the state.

WellStone is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and North Alabama’s mental healthcare leader, serving children, adolescents, and adults in Madison County, Cullman County, and surrounding communities.

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WellStone thanks IronMountain Solutions CEO Hank Isenberg for strengthening mental health care in North Alabama. His generous $100,000 gift to WellStone’s Be the Rock capital campaign is helping build a strong foundation of compassion, connection, and community for adults—and children—in mental health and substance abuse crisis.

“Supporting this project means contributing to a vital safety net for children’s mental health, ensuring they receive the immediate care they require,” said Isenberg. “It is a crucial investment in our community’s future that I am honored to take part in.”

WellStone Emergency Services (WES), a 24/7 emergency care center for men and women in mental health and substance abuse crises, opened its doors in October 2022. WES served more than 1400 unique clients in its first year and currently admits more than 140 individuals every month. This innovative program is changing and saving lives. The pediatric wing addition, scheduled for completion this fall, is expected to have the same lifesaving impact on our youth.

“The challenges of mental health continue to grow, resulting in the need for these services to evolve,” said Isenberg. “There is a direct impact that these challenges have on the community’s education systems, workforce development, and safety.”

Huntsville is the largest city in the state, yet there is no inpatient psychiatric care for our kids. As a result, HEMSI transports 800 kids out of county, or out of state, every year.  

“The community’s support is tremendous,” said Jeremy Blair, WellStone’s Chief Executive Officer. “To see donors like Hank contribute so generously is incredible. These investments will help some of our youngest, and most vulnerable, community members get the critical help they need when they need it.”

Isenberg and members of his team recently toured WellStone Emergency Services, and checked out the construction progress on our pediatric wing addition. To recognize his gift, WellStone named the WES Adult Lobby in his honor.

“There’s a saying we incorporate at IMS,” Isenberg shared. “’Do it. Do it right. Do it right now.’ This need within our community warrants this motto. It’s an ideal occasion to ‘do it, do it right, and do it right now.’ By addressing mental health needs right now, we build the foundation for a stronger, flourishing future for everyone.”

With Isenberg’s gift, WellStone has raised nearly $1.4 million of its $2.5 million goal.  

Please consider joining Isenberg and many others by supporting WellStone’s Be the Rock capital campaign. To support, click here.

To view photos from Isenberg’s visit, view our Flickr page.

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WellStone is grateful for your support, regardless of donation size or type. Here are four ways to make a gift to WellStone. Each contribution makes a difference. Give a gift to support life-changing and lifesaving mental healthcare and substance abuse treatment services. Mental illness and substance use disorders affect all of us, either directly or indirectly.

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Dozens of riders revved up for mental health last month.  

Steven McDonald and Kevin Speegle co-organized Cullman County’s inaugural We Care Suicide Prevention Ride. Dozens participated, meeting up at Redline Leather & Cycle Works in Hanceville, and pitching in to donate $1,200 to WellStone’s “Be the Rock—Kids” capital campaign. 

The pair wanted to raise awareness about mental illness and suicide following tragic losses of life in their own families. 

“It was so important to create this event,” said McDonald. “I lost my cousin, Albert Tubbs, to suicide a few months ago, and my brother-in-law, Benjamin, a few years back. It’s close to our hearts and we want people to know that there are other options and people care about them.” 

WellStone Emergency Services (WES) is one of those options, providing 24/7 crisis care for individuals in mental health or substance use crisis. WES opened to adults in October 2022. The pediatric addition, still under construction, is set to open later this year.  The “Be the Rock” campaign is helping to fund these lifesaving programs. https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-steele-licsw-wellstone-emergency-services-director/overlay/about-this-profile/ 

“One of the most sobering statistics was from 2021, where we lost someone by suicide every 11 mins,” said Paula Steele, MSW, LICSW-S, Director of WellStone Emergency Services. “I would give a training, and have an alarm set to go off every 11 minutes without explaining why until the end, then discuss how many loved ones were lost during that time.  Now when someone with suicidal thoughts walks through the door of WES, I know we have this opportunity to give them hope, we have this moment to change their trajectory and that impacts not only the individual, but their loved ones as well.”   

Maybe that’s why some 50 riders turned out for the event and participated in the 105-mile ride. The day included raffles, food, fellowship, music, time to remember loved ones lost to suicide and mental illness, and the opportunity to support WellStone’s transformational crisis care.  

“The response was great,” Speegle said. “For this many people to show up, it tells me that everyone has been affected by suicide, and everyone does care and want to help. The biker community is prety special.” 

According to the CDC, men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. It’s one of several statistics that drives organizers to continue raising money and awareness. The Cullman natives say they’ll do the ride again next year, but do not yet have a date for 2025.  

After COVID, telehealth soared in popularity, even making its way into mental healthcare practices. In 2021, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) conducted a study and found that most Americans welcomed these alternative therapy options.  

Now this innovative service is available at North Alabama’s mental healthcare leader.  

Brianna Mitchell, LMSW, joined WellStone early this year, and is excited to serve clients across Madison and Cullman Counties. She has already begun providing therapy and assessments via online platforms. Experts consider this service option a win-win for clients and therapists alike.  

“I enjoy having the flexibility of working remotely and being available to clients after the typical business hours,” said Mitchell. “As we all know, ‘life’ tends to happen after the traditional workday ends.” 

Tele-therapy can be beneficial to clients, first and foremost by removing barriers that may stand in their way of receiving traditional care. Perhaps they have transportation issues or provide round-the-clock care to a loved one. It still gives them a trained, non-judgmental mental health professional, but with more flexible scheduling. Furthermore, they can receive therapy from the comfort of their own homes, or other designated therapy space, which can be especially helpful for individuals suffering from high levels of anxiety or related conditions.  

To receive tele-therapy, clients must have online access to platforms like Zoom or Teams.  Payment options are similar to those available with most WellStone programs, including private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and self-pay, with sliding fee scale. View this flier for full details on scheduling telehealth appointments.

“I have always wanted to work with an agency that offers a broad range of services,” said Mitchell. “Mental health and substance use became very important to me during my graduate studies. Having the skills and abilities to assess the needs of individuals and be a resource in various aspects drives me. Society has crippled people through stigmas and lack of available services and resources, so I want to bridge the gaps in mental health services.” 

By providing mental health services virtually, Mitchell is doing just that right here at WellStone.  

Of course, mental health treatment is very personalized. While one person may thrive in a tele-health situation, another may need that in-person connection. It’s all about finding the best fit for you, whether you are seeking therapy for a minor setback, major disruption, or simply to learn better coping skills.  

And anyone who finds themselves in a mental health or substance use crisis shouldn’t wait for a therapy visit. Help is readily available through North Alabama’s continuum of crisis care, including the 988 Lifeline; Mobile Crisis Teams for adults and children; and WellStone Emergency Services (WES) for adults, with pediatric addition scheduled to open this fall.  
 

To schedule telehealth therapy, please call WellStone’s access to care number at 256-705-6444.  

Visit us Friday, March 8, for our Spring Hiring Event. We are hiring for LPNs, RNs, case managers, therapists, techs, and more. Full-time, part-time and various shifts available. Entry-level and mid-level opportunities available.

We are North Alabama’s leading provider for mental healthcare and substance use treatment services.

Hiring managers will hold on-site interviews from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 4040 Memorial Pkwy SW, Huntsville, AL 35802 in Suite E (Community Room). Potential candidates should bring a resume. Managers may extend immediate job offers, pending positive background check results.

Applicants can apply for desired positions online, beforehand or at the event. View opportunities here.  

Questions? Email Jasmin Smith, HR Representative, at jasmin.smith@wellstone.com.

WellStone is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Because of the commitment of our employees, donors and community leaders, WellStone served more than 11,000 individuals in the last fiscal year and delivered more than $3.15 million in uncompensated care.