Mental health can be one of the most difficult topics for communities to openly discuss — but it is also one of the most important, according to Robin McCutcheon, president and CEO of the Samaritan Counseling and Wellness Center.
For more than four decades, Samaritan Counseling and Wellness Center has provided counseling and integrative healthcare services to underinsured and uninsured residents across Southeast Texas, offering care at reduced fees and ensuring that no one is turned away because of an inability to pay.
With locations serving Jefferson, Hardin, and Orange counties — and expanded outreach through school partnerships and telehealth — Samaritan continues to remove barriers to mental health treatment while working to reduce stigma throughout the region.
That mission was on full display during the 8th Annual Not So Newlywed Game, held Feb. 5 at The Event Centre in Beaumont. The event raised $78,000 in support of Samaritan’s counseling and wellness programs, reinforcing the community’s shared commitment to accessible mental health services.
“Very clearly, our community has seen the impact that we can have by coming together,” McCutcheon said. “Events like this are about more than fundraising — they’re about starting conversations, educating our neighbors, and helping people feel confident talking about mental health wherever they are.”
The Not So Newlywed Game pairs local “celebrity” couples in a lighthearted competition that invites audience participation while generating additional donations. Since its beginnings — when the event sold eight tables and raised $2,500 — the fundraiser has grown to more than 30 tables and nearly 30 times its original impact.
Among this year’s participants were Andrea Neild and Taylor Neild Sr., whose leadership efforts helped set the pace for the evening. Working alongside team members and community partners, the Neilds helped raise $38,000 demonstrating the powerful role that engaged business leaders can play in strengthening local nonprofits.
As CEO of H.B. Neild Construction, Taylor Neild noted that supporting organizations like Samaritan aligns naturally with the company’s values and long‑standing commitment to the communities it serves.
“People see the good that organizations like Samaritan Counseling and Wellness Center are doing,” Neild said. “When you bring together business leaders who care about this region, it’s easy to rally support for a cause that is clearly making a difference.”
With continued backing from community partners, Samaritan Counseling and Wellness Center is expanding its reach through school collaborations, telehealth services, and faith‑based and community outreach — ensuring that individuals and families across Southeast Texas have access to the mental health care they need, when they need it most.
To learn more about Samaritan Counseling and Wellness Center or its services, call 409‑727‑6400 or email samaritancenter@sccset.org.