Behavioral health clinic expands into Bristol County

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) — A behavioral health provider expands its reach from western Massachusetts to Bristol County starting with a new facility in Attleboro.

Behavioral Health Network had its ribbon cutting in downtown Attleboro on Friday, with plans to open a facility in Brockton in the summer.

Emma sims will be oversee the new facility as program director.

Sims said she grew up in a family that struggled with drug and substance abuse, and she herself has had experience with addiction.

“I’m very grateful that I had that experience, that personal experience with addiction, because it brings such a purpose for me to provide that to other people from a personal level,” she said.

BHN will offer multiple different programs, as well as clinicians on site, to help those most in need, which Sims said is their most important task.

“Oftentimes, this is the only place that people have where they have a roof over their head, or they have a warm welcome waiting for them, just being able to provide whatever they may need,” she said.

Mayor Cathleen DeSimone said she thinks this facility will have a region-wide impact.

“People who struggle with mental health and substance abuse don’t fall into any particular municipal boundaries, right?” she said. “It’s a problem not only in Attleboro, but everywhere in the commonwealth. So programs like this, wherever they are, help people beyond the borders of the city.”