Spokane children’s home helps kids process trauma through MultiCare Behavioral Health partnership
“The mental health challenges we’re seeing with our children now are probably double or triple because of COVID-19,” Hutton executive director Chud Wendle explains. “I’ve only been here six years, but I’ve definitely seen a change since day one. These challenges are on a whole other level — they’re more complex and complicated.”
To continue helping kids navigate through this difficult moment, as well as process inconsistent, abusive or neglectful upbringings, Hutton has joined forces with the donor-powered MultiCare Behavioral Health Network.
A partnership is born
Chud was first introduced to MultiCare through Inland Northwest Foundation executive director Carolyn Kadyk, who connected him to Samantha Clark, MHA, executive director of strategy and business development for the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network.
“Samantha was the bridge. Right away she said, ‘We’re going to figure this out,’” Chud says. “MultiCare stepped in, and we’ve had consistent and stable counseling through their therapist going on almost 23 months. It’s been a game changer for us.
Today, every child at Hutton can access therapeutic services with a licensed mental health counselor on a regular basis.
It’s okay to be not okay
Mental health care is a critical component of Hutton’s model and has also played a role in Chud’s own life.
“Starting about two and a half years ago, I was in a dark spot, and I was avoiding the truth and reality of what I was dealing with and battling with,” he shares. “To move on, I had to accept that things might not be okay. I sought mental health counseling, got on medication and it changed everything. And for these kiddos, mental health care is everything right now.”
Last spring, Chud shared his recovery journey during the Inland Northwest Foundation’s Heart Strings for Hope event benefiting behavioral health programs and services. He opened up about how it’s okay to be not okay, and people reached out with how much his story resonated with them.
“I think the more we can talk about mental health and be real about it and not avoid it, the healthier our community will be,” he says.
“As one who’s been impacted by mental health, that return on investment might not happen immediately, but know and be confident that it’s saving lives,” Chud says. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
