“Mental health is a critical part of our health and we will continue to focus on this aspect of care," says Clint Thurgood, Intermountain Health.

(PRUnderground) October 6th, 2024

Knowing how to access mental health resources has never been more important. September was Suicide Prevention Month – a time to educate, advocate and open up the conversation around this growing public health crisis.  Although the month has passed, the need is still there.

“At Intermountain Health our mission is to help people live the healthiest life possible. Our community is only healthy when we have both physical and mental health,” said Clint Thurgood, assistant behavioral health director in Utah for Intermountain Health. “Mental health is a critical part of our health and as our community’s hospital we will continue to focus on this aspect of care.”

“Unfortunately, there is still stigma attached to seeking care for mental health. I see a future where that stigma has dissipated and we can seek mental health care in the same way we seek care for a broken bone,” he added.

Accessing mental health services can be challenging, but one place to find resources is intermountainhealthcare.org/behavioralhealth. Intermountain Health provides integrated services with specialists throughout Utah.

Connect Care Behavioral Telehealth Services

Another resource is Intermountain’s Connect Care Behavioral Health. This service is available virtually: all that’s needed is a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Patients can be seen sooner through this option versus setting up a new patient appointment to be seen in person.

Connect Care Behavioral Health is staffed by experienced mental health experts. Intermountain providers will also have access to your Intermountain Health medical history.

Some conditions that can be treated include:

• Anxiety
• ADHD
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Grief
• Insomnia
• Mood Swings
• Panic Attacks
• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Relationship Problems
• Stress
• Substance Misuse / Abuse
• Trauma

Appointments can be scheduled using the MyHealth+ app that is found in the app store, as well as online at the Intermountain Behavioral Health website.

Appointments are also available for extended hours and run from 7 am to 7 pm, as well as weekends.

“Talk to Tweens” Resources

These resources, from the experts at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, can help parents and teachers start conversations with children and help them identify, express, and manage their feelings in a healthy way. The free “Talk to Tweens” tools, which can be downloaded in both English and Spanish at TalkToTweens.org and hableconsusjovenes.org, include conversation starters, a downloadable Feelings Wheel, and additional tips for families.

Stabilization Mobile Response Unit

Intermountain Primary Children’s also offers the Stabilization Mobile Response unit. Funded by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and staff by Primary Children’s caregivers, families of youth experiencing mental health crisis or concerns can call 1-833-SAFE-FAM, or 833-723-3326, and a team of mental health professionals will be deployed to wherever their services are need. “These are almost the same services you would receive in the emergency room,” said Ashley Schlaich, RN, pediatric behavioral health outpatient services director for Primary Children’s Hospital – Lehi. “The team can do a crisis assessment, provide stabilizing, and guide families to services. The program is for youth up to 18 years-of-age and is free. Services are also provided in Spanish.”

Additional resources:

• Intermountain’s Behavioral Health Navigation Line: 833-442-2211.
  • This free navigation line helps adults who are looking for a variety of resources, questions on treatments, finding services within Intermountain or in the community, or needing to speak about the stressors.
• Free Assessment, Referral, Consultation Service (ARCS): 801-313-7711.
  • This statewide service can help families learn about and connect to services that are available for children close to their communities.
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988.
  • This resource offers free support if you or someone you love, adult or child, is in a mental health crisis.
• SafeUT app.
  • This is a free app that offers a crisis chat line for real-time crisis intervention for students, parents or guardians, and educators, through live chat and a confidential tip line.
• Call 911 or Take Your Child to the Nearest Hospital Emergency Department.
  • Use this resource in the event of self-harm, a suicide attempt, or any other life-threatening emergency.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.

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Original Press Release.