Franklin expands mental health services with new partnership

SUFFOLK, Va. — A new partnership is bringing expanded mental health services to Franklin, aimed at reaching more residents in need of care.

Starting next month, patients of the Western Tidewater Free Clinic (WTFC) will have access to counseling, mental health assessments and support services at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore’s Western Tidewater Branch in Franklin. The initiative is a collaboration between WTFC, the Foodbank and The Up Center, a regional mental health provider.

The program is designed to improve access by eliminating barriers like transportation and stigma, offering care in a setting where many residents already receive essential services.

“Our mission has always been to improve the health and well-being of our community, a vision shared with these two incredible safety net agencies,” said Ashley Greene, executive director of Western Tidewater Free Clinic. “Partnering with the Foodbank and The Up Center allows us to provide much-needed mental health resources and meet our patients where they are.”

WTFC has already been offering eligibility appointments at the Franklin Foodbank since January. The expanded services mark a deeper investment in community-based care for residents in Franklin, Suffolk and surrounding areas.

For more information about WTFC services and eligibility, visit wtfreeclinic.org or call (757) 923-1060.