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Mental health service official reminds people help is available

Dispatch, The (Lexington, NC) - 1/2/2015

Jan. 01--The nonprofit mental health service seeks to support, educate and empower people facing those issues.

Eric Foushee, clinic operations manager/director for the Lexington office, said the most important thing about Monarch is it gives residents open access to show up at the facility to receive assistance by just walking in.

"We give people the opportunity to come here," Foushee said. "That's a great thing. This serves as a great resource for the community. It allows them to get the help they need."

The nonprofit agency provides services to people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds to help the individuals and their families cope with their loved one's illness, disabilities or substance use challenges. The overall goal is to help those people have real hopes and dreams.

"We're here. We just want you to show up," Foushee said. "Allow us to work with you. You don't have to make an appointment. Give us the opportunity to show what we can do."

Foushee reminded people that the holiday season may be hard for some people dealing with mental or development issues. He said sometimes being around family triggers behavioral issues and can cause stress for the individual. He also mentioned some people experience depression or anxiety this time of the year.

That's why Foushee emphasizes people should take advantage of the open access option. When someone in need arrives for help there will be a comprehensive clinical assessment, a treatment plan and a psychiatric evaluation conducted. If needed, a referral to the proper level of care will take place, too.

Foushee noted with the open access service people can walk in, however it may take a while to be seen similar to a visit to a hospital emergency room. He said the length of the wait is based on the severity of the situation.

The office is at 820 Grimes Blvd. The operational times are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. The phone number is 224-6071.

The local entity sees more than 200 routine, new and walk-ins in a month. There are therapists on site.

Health services provided include an assertive community treatment team, outpatient therapy and psychiatric services, intensive in-home services, peer support and supported employment.

With several of the services, behavioral health service counselors and direct support professionals work with individuals to meet their needs.

The local office also works with other nonprofits such as Path of Hope, Crisis Ministry of Davidson County, Davidson County Health Department, Davidson County Department of Social Services and Daymark Recovery Services.

Another example of therapists being in the community includes a pilot program at Thomasville City Schools. The professional rotates among the schools to immediately address problems students or families may have that are hindering them from learning or focusing on school.

Foushee said the advantage is the student is not losing time from class, and it's eliminating parents' time away from work by having someone available at the schools. There are also monthly meetings held with the district's superintendent, administrators and other staff.

Davidson Medical Ministries Clinic also has a therapist on site through its partnership who conducts brief interventions with clients. The pilot program called Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment began this past October where primary care providers integrate behavioral health care services into primary care.

DMMC provides care to uninsured residents of Davidson County who are under 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level through its charitable clinic. It serves those with Medicaid, Medicare and private health insurance as well as self-pay patients through a community health center.

Sandy Motley, executive director of DMMC, said they created an environment where mental health providers, the medical provider and pharmacists work together as a team. With the therapist in the building, doctors can extend a patient's visit to talk with the specialist if they think there is a need, Motley said. That therapist can schedule that patient to come back or refer him or her to additional resources to continue care.

"They'll be able to provide short intervention care," Motley said. "It's another way for us to help close the gap. We care about more than just the medical diagnosis and prescribing medicine. We care about the spiritual, emotional and physical life, too. The client might need someone to talk to. It's going great. It's going to be a good thing for us."

Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com. Follow Deneesha on Twitter: @LexDispatchDE

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