Valeo Behavioral Health Care Inc

"Valeo" is Latin meaning "to be well." Our Community understands that mental health is essential to overall health. Treatment benefits the individual, family, public health, safety, and community resources. Our vision is to keep behavioral health care consumer driven, to close the gap on mental health needs and services offered, and provide early screening for mental health and substance abuse. We use evidence-based practices and the latest technology to support service delivery.

Valeo Behavioral Health Care is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization serving Topeka since 1967 and is the designated mental health authority for Shawnee County. 

In 2001, we changed our name from Shawnee Community Mental Health Center to Valeo Behavioral Health Care. Valeo is Latin meaning “to be well”. We provide a full continuum of mental health, substance abuse, and problem gambling addictions treatment services for adults. Children & adolescents are served by our affiliate, Family Service & Guidance Center.

Our organization was originally established as a result of the Community Mental Health Center Act in the 1960’s to apply for federal mental health grants. We have grown to three corporations, Valeo Behavioral Health Care, Valeo Community Residence Program, and The Valeo Foundation. Today, we offer 24 hr. crisis services, and have expanded services to include 29 programs throughout eight locations and provide community outreach to Topeka Rescue Mission, area hospitals, Shawnee Co. Jail, Law Enforcement, and individuals in their homes. We employ approx. 340 staff including doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, technicians, case managers, and peer support specialists. We serve an average 7,000 residents in Shawnee Co. each year, and partner with 76 agencies and companies to coordinate services. 

We are involved in evidence-based practice research, providing valuable outcomes information for the University of Kansas and Dartmouth University to develop best practices for Supported Employment, Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Illness Management & Recovery, Supported Education, and Family Psychoeducation. 

The prevalence of mental illness in the U.S. among adults is 26% (one in four). However, fewer than 1/3 of adults and less than half of children receive treatment due to barriers such as limited access to services, and stigma about mental illness. The estimated U.S. annual economic indirect cost is $317 Billion, largely due to loss of productivity. Valeo staff share a recovery philosophy and work from a client strengths perspective. Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. The right combination of therapies and medication result in a 60-80% recovery rate. 

If you would like to learn more about our agency, please join us for lunch and a community tour hosted monthly by Valeo Chief Executive Officer. We provide a variety of community presentations. We are a certified Mental Health First Aid teaching center, and provide certification training.  

www.valeotopeka.org