Second Mile Behavioral Health LLC Opens Offices in McKee

Second Mile Behavioral Health LLC Opens Offices in McKee

“When you’re at a crossroads, we’re here to walk the extra mile with you.”

~ Michelle Smith

“I was at a crossroads in 2019,” said Michelle Smith, owner and CEO of Second Mile Behavioral Health. I had a psychology degree but I have always felt like a servant. I wanted to be a servant.” It was this desire, the shared vision of her cousin Shane Garland, the help and funding of her parents and an extra does of “God’s Grace and Mercy” that led to the opening of the original Second Mile Behavioral Heath facility in London in 2019.

Smith wanted to open a facility that would help people find their way back to a good road in their lives and she wanted everyone who walked through the door to “feel the love of Jesus.”

“We’re a Faith Based Facility,” said Smith, “and we like to make that clear but we don’t push it on anyone.” Smith and her staff all believe in non-judgment, in putting the persons needs first and they all believe that showing love is the best way to bring people to love; the love of Jesus, love for themselves and love for those around them. An open door and an open heart, Smith believes, is the key to helping people see past the stigma usually associated with seeking help in the area of mental health. For too long there has been so much negative stigma associated with those who find themselves in a position of needing help. “We all need someone to talk to sometimes,” said Smith, “there is no shame in that. We all have to face hurdles and obstacles that can seem insurmountable alone. If you need help with any number of mental health issues, we want to be the open door you walk through to find the help you need and we want to be the open heart that can listen to you without judgement and help you find your way back to yourself, to your family and to your community.”

Apparently, the community agreed. Since first opening Second Mile Behavioral Health in London, four additional faciliites have opened, including the facility in McKee and one in Harlan, which opened in 2023. A facility in Russell Springs opened in 2020, and one in Mancheser opened in 2022. An additional facility is slated to open in Knox county this year. All facilities are staffed with licensed and trained professionals in mental health and associated fields. They offer everything from Talk Therapy to Case Management and Community Support. Their clients come from all walks of life. From those battling addition to the new parent who is having a hard time adjusting to those who suffer from social anxiety or who just need help adapting to an ever changing world, Second Mile Behavioral Health offers quality personal guidance to help get you to where you need to be in life.

“We always try to hire local people wherever we open a new facility,” said Smith, “and we try to make sure they are people who are skilled, genuine and compassionate toward our clients.” In McKee the staff consists of Jenny Wilson, Megan Carpenter, Morgan Lakes, Ben Johnson and Molly Hisel. “Most of our local McKee staff are well known in their community and are already recognized as helpful, loving and kind individuals. We want people who are not just licensed and skilled but who have the heart and dedication to walk with our clients the extra mile, no matter how hard the road may seem.”

Not only is Second Mile’s mission faith based, it’s name is as well. The Book of Matthew 5:41 states that “whoever shall compel you to walk with them one mile, go with him two.” It is this thought that is at the heart of everything they do. “We believe that no one should have to walk alone,” says Smith, “and we want to do our best to make sure no one has to do so. We’re here to mediate; to help those who are hurting reconcile with the self they wish to be.” Smith and her staff believe that no one is “stuck with what is” and that with help and guidance their clients can find their way back to a life they are glad to have.

Second Mile Behavioral Health LLC is located in McKee at 288 Main Street (the former McKee S&T building) They are open from 9 - 5, Monday - Friday. Walk-ins are welcome and most forms of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare are accepted as payment. Their services offered are: Targeted Case Management, Community Support Services, Individual, group, and family counseling for all ages, Parenting Assessments and classes, substance abuse assessments and counseling. To learn more or to schedule an appointment you can access their website at secondmilebehavioral.com or call 606-287-2230.