Eric Hein had worked at a full-time job in the past but, because of his schizophrenia symptoms, it didn’t work out too well.

Today, however, Hein is employed at Magna Dry, 1724 Main, where he performs cleaning and other custodial duties a few hours a week.

The 48-year-old Great Bend man learned about the job from Tagan Brown and Noell Miller, employment specialists at The Center for Counseling & Consultation; Miller is Individual Placement & Support supervisor.

Todd Clark, Magna Dry owner, noted that he has been acquainted with Brown for a few years. “He mentioned Eric to me when he stopped in one day. We needed some custodial help and thought Eric would be a good fit. And, as it turns out, we were right.

“Eric is more than willing to work and hasn’t missed a day. You don’t have to tell him what to do; he just does it. Eric does a great job and is always in a good mood. He fits in with the rest of the guys and offers to help when someone needs it.”

Clark noted that he and his staff “want to help people who just need a chance and we encourage other businesses to get involved” in The Center’s employment program.

When Hein first heard about this job possibility, he filled out an application right away. He said the work is rewarding and he enjoys being productive. He also would encourage his peers to consider employment. 

Hein was quick to note that he “likes to come in to work. The job helps keep the voices away. The full-time job was too much; it caused the voices.”

Hein’s other symptom is anxiety that can be paralyzing.

When symptoms were being discussed recently, Clark immediately said, “Eric, if you are ever having a bad day, come in and hang out with us. You wouldn’t have to work, just come on in for the company.”

Sounded like a good idea to Hein.

Brown & Miller

Tagan Brown had worked with Magna Dry in the past on behalf of another client at The Center who was living in unhealthy conditions.

“We didn’t know about this at first,” Brown said. “But when we learned about it, we did what we could so that she could live safely.”

Magna Dry supplied cleaning services at the residence at no cost.

“These kinds of relationships are important to our clients,” Brown commented. “We encourage other businesses to get involved when looking for workers.

“Most clients are more than capable of maintaining a job and it helps alleviate the stigma of having a behavioral-health concern.”

Noell Miller said the staff members at “Magna Dry are a blessing because they see the person and what they CAN do. They don’t focus on a person’s illness or condition. I am extremely grateful to Tagan and Magna Dry for supporting Eric.”

The Center’s employment program started about two years ago and has served more than 80 people. Of those, “48 clients were connected to meaningful, competitive employment,” Miller said. “For others, it didn’t work out. They left the program or got a different job.”

Employment criteria involved in the program are at least minimum wage and a job that is meaningful to the client. Brown and Miller collaborate with other departments at The Center in their efforts to help clients reach these and other goals.

“We work as a team to offer this support to people with a behavioral-health diagnosis and/or a co-occurring substance-use disorder,” Miller explained.

She also emphasized that “the client has to want to have a job. It cannot be because somebody is pushing them to find one. It is their choice.”

The employment program is just one of the benefits of The Center being licensed as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. Others are the housing program, medication-assisted treatment and specialized veterans’ services.

For more information about employment, contact Miller by calling 620-792-2544.

The Center for Counseling & Consultation, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.