legacy
Preserving Basic Human Dignity, HeadsUP Guidance and Wellness Centers of Nevada was founded to fulfill the legacy of Governor Mike and First Lady Carolyn O’Callaghan, along with their dedicated colleagues, who shared in their vision to enhance the mental health of Nevada citizens. The O’Callaghan’s were dedicated to the service of others especially those living in the margins of society.
As Governor of Nevada, he was known as the “people’s governor” who always took time to hear the struggles of single mothers doing the best they could to raise their children, while experiencing tough circumstances. The first item on his agenda after being sworn in, was to overhaul Nevada’s welfare system leading to better service to mothers and children. He and Carolyn personally visited Nevada mental health facilities, youth centers and prisons, to ensure those in the hands of the state were given proper care and their human dignity kept intact.
During his eight years as Governor, he established the Rural Clinics Mental Health Program, bringing much needed mental healthcare to the farthest reaches of rural Nevada. It was not uncommon for Mike and Carolyn to make sandwiches at the Governor’s Mansion and drop them off to homeless families, living in the desert area near the Carson Hot Springs during the Governor’s lunch break and daily swim.
During the last 10 years of his life, he spent early mornings volunteering, feeding the homeless and impoverished of Las Vegas at the Catholic Worker House. Often bringing extra pounds of coffee to ensure there would be plenty of hot strong coffee for those in need. During these mornings he would often encounter people in need of medical and mental health care. At times like these he would enlist the help of his friends in the medical profession to take care of them.
The O’Callaghan’s left an immeasurable legacy on everyone they encountered however, it didn’t end with their deaths. Each of the five O’Callaghan’s children, in their own way, carry on a piece of the legacy and are engaged in public service and helping others. HeadsUp stands as one example.
At HeadsUP our multidisciplinary team of clinicians includes Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Psychologists, Physicians and Physician’s Assistants. As a teaching facility, interns in each modality are taught and supervised to provide the highest quality of care. HeadsUp offers a community-based health care system focused on the mental health needs of traditionally underserved populations, that emphasizes wellness and education to assist the clients to make “informed choices” in their lives.