Mental health care starts with a first step
In the midst of Mental Health Awareness Month, experts are reminding you there are resources to bridge the gap between “what do I do?” and “I have the care I need.”
Tackling any task – from a child walking to an adult learning a new job – starts with a first step. The same goes for taking care of your mental and behavioral health, but even the experts admit it may be daunting to ask for help. In the midst ofMental Health Awareness Month, experts are reminding you there are resources to bridge the gap between “What do I do?” and “I have the care I need.”
Katie Koeller is abehavioral health navigator(BHN) at OSF HealthCare inAlton, Illinois. BHN is a free, ministry-wide service at OSF HealthCare, but you don’t have to be an OSF HealthCare patient to use it. The program helps people in areas like depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol use, and problems with work, school, or relationships. The BHN talks to the patient – either at a provider’s office or over the phone – about what care they need, and they point the person to that care as close to home and as soon as possible. The BHN also checks the patient’s insurance coverage to see how it lines up with the care needed.
“We would do an intake,” Koeller explains. “So we'd ask questions, making sure that they're not in a crisis situation at the time and see what their symptoms are. And then that way we can better judge what they would be suited for as far as counseling, psychiatry, substance use treatment, whatever it may be.”
Koeller notes the treatment could be out-patient (the typical office visit) or in-patient (live-in treatment). She says a BHN will also check-in with the patient via phone call or message on OSF HealthCare’ssecure online portal. Koeller says it’s usually three check-ins over a month, but each case is different.
“Some people just decide maybe it's not what they need, maybe just talking with somebody like me and just getting educated and feeling like they have that opportunity or just the knowledge about the community resources is enough,” Koeller says. “Because then they were like, ‘Well I can decide later on if that's what I need.’ But for the most part, I feel like a lot of patients are appreciative and do really like the service and find it helpful.”
Koeller, a BHN for three years, says even if the patient is on a good path, the BHN tells them they can always call back if they need more help.
凯勒说，对心理健康保持沉默的倾向仍然是一个问题。但她看到了关爱的另一个障碍。
“很多人只是觉得他们没有时间做这件事。我听过很多人说‘我不能为了工作请假’。“噪鹃说。“我觉得很多人不认为这是(一场危机)。你不希望它发展到(危机)的地步。所以他们有点推后，好像它没有我的身体健康重要。”
But in reality, Koeller says, mental healthdoesimpact physical health. In other words, if your mind hurts, your body may hurt, too.
Koeller also notes that some insurance providers can help with transportation – getting a ride to a counselor appointment, for example.Telehealth– a digital appointment with a provider from home – is also an option that’s growing in use.OSF SilverCloudis another resource designed for workplaces. These are some of the many things a BHN can check on and, at a minimum, educate the patient on what’s available.
Patients who are experiencing a mental or behavioral health issue can contact their primary care provider or – if you live withinOSF HeathCare’s footprint– use thebehavioral health navigatorprogram. If you’re in a crisis situation, call 9-1-1 or theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 800-273-8255.