St. Francis Way Clinic

09/12/2025

Seeing a friend struggle? Don't assume everything is okay. MHFA teaches us that it's okay to ask directly if someone is thinking about suicide—it will not put the idea in their head. This simple question could save a life.

If you would like to become Mental Health First Aid certified, please reach out to our clinic. We have certified MHFA instructors on our staff that would love to prepare you.

09/10/2025

🌟 Thank You for Joining Us at the Health & Wellness Resource Fair! 🌟

On Saturday, September 6th, the Macoupin County Public Health Department, Carlinville Chamber of Commerce, and Carlinville Area Hospital & Clinics came together to host an incredible Health & Wellness Resource Fair at the hospital — and what a day it was!

🏃‍♀️ The event kicked off with an energizing 5K race, followed by a vibrant showcase of local vendors offering a wide range of health services to our community.

🎓 Attendees enjoyed breakout sessions led by experts from the University of Illinois Extension Office, the Health Department, the Hospital, and a Financial Advisor, covering topics from physical wellness to financial health.

👧🧠 St. Francis Way Clinic hosted the Kids Corner, where children learned about mental health prevention and education through fun and engaging activities like:
-Coloring affirmation pages
-A bead station
-Storytelling: "It's Okay to be Different" and "Rainbow Fish" readings followed by a snack sponsored by the Carlinville Chamber
-A smoothie bike: Hosted by U of I where they taught kids smoothie recipes and nutrition. The kids pedaled the bike to function the blender.
-A visit from the always-entertaining Professor Longhair who taught kids mental health and coping skills through magic!

🙌 We’re also incredibly grateful to the Interact Club of Carlinville for volunteering and helping make the Kids Corner a huge success.

💚 Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and supported this event. Together, we’re building a healthier, stronger Macoupin County!

09/09/2025

Friends, we need your help!

I just wrote a letter urging Congress to continue vital funding for addiction and mental health recovery support services.

Recovery from substance use and mental health challenges is essential to maintaining public health and requires our sustained effort and support. Proposed cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) threaten the continued existence of thousands of vital, local programs that millions of Americans depend on for rebuilding their lives and communities.

This moment is about more than just protecting budgets. We also call on leaders to recognize individuals’ lived experience—sustained recovery is possible only when supported as a pillar of our nation's healthcare policy and infrastructure.

Join me in calling on Congress to fully fund our country's recovery infrastructure, including programs like the Center for Addiction Recovery Support (CARS), Building Communities of Recovery (BCOR), Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP), and reentry support.

Click here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/congress-continue-vital-funding-for-addiction-and-mental-health-recovery-support-services?source=email&

Thanks!

09/02/2025

We were honored to participate once again in a powerful event dedicated to raising awareness and expanding resources around overdose prevention and recovery in our county. Deepest thanks to Haven Home of Hope and The Next Network for their thoughtful planning and unwavering commitment to this cause. We’re especially grateful to the courageous individuals who shared their personal stories, using their voices to inspire hope and healing.

Together, we continue to build a stronger, more compassionate community.

09/01/2025

08/31/2025

Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. In honor of this International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31), help protect your loved ones from a fatal overdose by keeping lifesaving naloxone with you and at home.

Contact St. Francis Way Clinic if you are needing or wanting Naloxone or training. We provide this service to the community for free.

Read more about lifesaving naloxone: http://bit.ly/41XCSbd

07/30/2025

Next week we will have a speaker to talk about 211! Mark your calendars!

We want to remind those who live and work in the community that we host a networking/resource meeting in Carlinville 1x monthly. Please join us and share with someone you think would want to attend!

07/30/2025

🎉 Back to School Bash Success! 🎉

St. Francis Way Clinic and the Macoupin/Montgomery County ROSC were thrilled to participate in the Litchfield Back to School Bash for the third consecutive year—and each year just keeps getting better!

This year, we connected with 150 amazing kids, helping them gear up for a healthy and successful school year. Here's what we brought to the table:

💧Water bottles with customizable coping skill stickers; reminders of healthy ways to manage stress during the school day
🪥 150 toothbrush kits to promote good hygiene [representing our Columbian Blvd. Dental Clinic in Litchfield]
💊 6 medication organizers for safe and effective medication management
💨 24 doses of Narcan distributed to support overdose prevention
🎡 Prevention & Education Wheel of Knowledge; kids spun the wheel, answered questions, and won fun stress balls while learning about mental health and substance use.

We’re so grateful for the continued invitation to this incredible event and proud to be part of a community that prioritizes youth wellness.

Here's to a safe, healthy, and empowering school year for all the students in our area! 💙📚

07/23/2025

This week marks National Deflection Week, and we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to both Macoupin and Montgomery County emergency departments and police departments for their unwavering support of our Safe Passage Program.

Since 2021, many of our dedicated partners have stood alongside us in offering deflection and vital resources to individuals facing substance use challenges and prioritizing treatment and recovery over incarceration.

Your continued collaboration and compassionate approach have made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals across our communities. Together, we are creating pathways to recovery and fostering hope where it’s needed most.
Thank you for being part of the solution and we look forward to this continued partnership.

06/25/2025

We want to remind those who live and work in the community that we host a networking/resource meeting in Carlinville 1x monthly. Please join us and share with someone you think would want to attend!