BROOKHAVEN — Dave Van, Director of Region 8 Mental Health, spoke to the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning. He gave his annual report on Region 8’s work in Lincoln County. 

Van said this year was his 14th year coming before the board to provide an update on Region 8’s services. The Mental Health Service covers Madison, Rankin, Copiah, Simpson and Lincoln Counties. Van explained to the board he is very fond of Brookhaven and grew up in Lincoln County. 

“Thank you for letting us serve here,” Van said. “Alisha McGehee serves on our commission. She does a wonderful job and fights for Lincoln County Citizens. We thank Sheriff Steve Rushing for working with us. Working with him is a joy and a pleasure.” 

Van said in 2023 Region 8 provided 384,056 services including mental health services, intellectual/developmental disabilities services, substance abuse services and crisis services. Lincoln County’s Region 8 Facility is located at 620 US51 North in Brookhaven. 

Of the 384,056 services provided in Region 8, 272,941 were for adults and 111,115 services were for children. Overwhelmingly, 293,363 services were classified as Mental Health Services. Intellectual and developmental services accounted for 51,177 services and 39,516 were substance abuse services.