Seeking treatment or counseling when dealing with anything from the death of a loved one to the loss of a job is becoming more acceptable in today's society, according to Mati Stone, clinical director of Cape Girardeau's Community Counseling Center.

The center celebrated its opening with an open house Sunday.

"I think the need (for counseling services) has always been there, but what we're seeing is a greater acceptance of the benefits that can be obtained through intervention and treatment," Stone said.

The center provides individual, group and family counseling, rehabilitation services, crisis intervention and emergency services.

Therapy can help people deal with anything from divorce to loss of a job. Stone said the most frequently treated problems are those created from dealing with a major life transition.

"It's very important for people to know that anyone can have a problem. The sooner you begin to deal with those problems and take steps to resolve them, the better it is," she said.

People are becoming increasingly aware that they can take steps to make their lives more satisfying and to help their family get along more harmoniously, she added.

Stone said no community should be without some type of counseling center.

"This type of facility is essential in order to be able to provide these services in the community," she said.

Payment for services at the center is made based on an individual's income. Some classes are offered free of charge. This week, the center will offer a free mini-lecture each night from 6 to 7 p.m. to celebrate its opening.

Monday's lecture will deal with co-dependent relationships, Tuesday, body image; Wednesday, parenting; and Thursday, understanding depression. The lectures will be held in the Harris Room.

The 20,000-square-foot, $1.5 million center, located at 402 Silver Springs Road, opened Dec. 9. Tours were given Sunday to about 300 people who attended the open house.

The building was paid for through loans, federal grants and $200,000 in contributions collected through a fund-raising campaign.

The upper level includes offices used for individual, group and family therapy, and medical services. On the lower level, classes are conducted for the Alcohol Related Traffic Offense Program, defensive driving and alcohol and drug education.

Also located in the lower level is the Family Learning Center, a program for children.

The Community Counseling Center has been in existence in Cape Girardeau since 1974, and was formerly located at 24 S. Mount Auburn Road.

Confusion still exists about what mental illness is, Stone said. And prejudice against its sufferers is still evident.

"But I think this is changing," she said. "People of any age can have problems, and mental illness and emotional difficulties can affect any member of any family."

Statistics have found that one in 20 people will experiences some type of mental health problem in their lifetime, she said.

The center is assigned by the State Department of Mental health to serve the counties of Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Ste. Genevieve and Madison. Branch offices are located in Perryville and Ste. Genevieve, and part-time services are offered in Marble Hill and Fredericktown.