Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Summer 2020

Jobs have been cut and lost, young people sent back from college, and senior academic years cut short. Along with the uncertainty and trauma of COVID-19 comes increased demand for mental health services. More than 400 patients per month are receiving behavioral health services from the comfort of their homes. “People are reaching out, and we are grateful we can be there for them,” says Bartlett Chief Behavioral Health Officer Bradley Grigg. “We have seen a spike in new folks who have been immediately impacted by COVID-19. The longer this goes on, the greater chance we’ll see an increase in depression; substance use; and anxiety due to financial concerns, job security, family dynamics and education challenges,” he says. People are also experiencing what’s known as secondary trauma. It’s a reaction to the suffering of others, whether hearing the news of elders dying alone in the lower 48 or seeing our homeless neighbors struggling with food and shelter. “Business owners, educators, parents, physicians, therapists—whatever we do, we are all in this together,” says Grigg. Six licensed therapists, three psychiatrists and two nurse practitioners are seeing new and continuing patients via telehealth, through platforms including FaceTime, Skype and Zoom. Expanded services While the Rainforest Recovery residential program is on pause as the facility is converted for a surge in COVID-19 patients, the number of patients it serves has expanded. The residential program is limited to 12 patients. “We are continuing to work with those who we discharged,” says Grigg. “Our current outpatient program has more than 20 patients.” In addition, Bartlett Behavioral Health staff are collaborating with the AWARE Shelter to serve individuals and families there in need of substance abuse/misuse support. Here for you “I am amazed at my team,” says Grigg. “I’m overwhelmed at their commitment to late nights with patients; meeting with people in crisis in the Emergency Department. We’ve got staff here 24/7. It’s what we’re here to do. Helping our fellow community members out no matter what they are dealing with. Our job is to help them. It’s really overwhelming in a good way.” Reach out Outpatient Psychiatric Services offers: X X Medication-assisted treatment. X X Psychiatric services. X X Licensed therapists. X X Family therapy. X X Play therapy, EMDR, DBT and client-tailored approaches. X X Emergency services. Telehealth appointments are available. Call 907-796-8498 . You’re covered Health insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, Premera and Aetna, have adjusted their payment structure to allow for telehealth services. “We don’t want insurance to be a barrier,” emphasizes Bartlett Behavioral Health Director Bradley Grigg. “If someone needs our services, we have a sliding fee scale. We encourage people to call us if insurance is not an option. We do not want financial circumstances to prevent a person from reaching out for help.” SUICIDE PREVENTION Call 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 to get help. BEHAVIORAL TELEHEALTH You are not alone TELEHEALTH 10 House Calls Summer 2020