Life Quest gets new CEO

WASILLA -- Behavioral Health Services of Mat-Su Inc. (Life Quest) has a new chief executive officer, Maryalice Larson. Larson, formerly a chief operating officer at a community mental health center in Indiana, came to the Valley in late September, and says she is impressed with the area, and its people.

"People here are so nice, everywhere I go," she said.

Located in a new building and led by a new CEO, Life Quest has plans to expand, both in size and in services.

"We're looking at plans to develop more buildings and programs for the community," Larson said. Life Quest now sits on 35 acres off West Spruce Avenue, and is available for community members that need mental help.

Larson said that, in any given year, 17 million people are identified and treated for depression.

"It's a major national problem," Larson said.

According to Larson, depression does not just impact the individual, it crosses into families, the job and into pocketbooks, both in terms of health care costs and unnecessary spending to try to boost one's feelings. One of the outside problems of depression, Larson says, is the stigma attached to it.

"People equate help in community centers with being crazy and are embarrassed to seek the help they need," she said. "People who come to us are not crazy. Can you help having diabetes? You can't help having difficulties, it's OK to come in and get help."

But Larson said in this community, people suffering from depression and other mental illnesses have one advantage over someone in a similar situation elsewhere.

"What impresses me about Wasilla and Palmer and the rest of the Valley is the commitment that the community agencies have to working together," Larson said. "People talk about it everywhere, but here, they are really doing it."

Larson said she is looking forward to working with local agencies to help bring services to the people who need them, and is enjoying making the Valley her new home.

"How could I resist this?" asked Larson, waving her hand toward her office window and the breathtaking view below.