![]() He works with people so they can build constructive relationships with others by being aware of the needs around them. He makes it easy for young people to communicate how they really feel and gives them the tools to articulate their thoughts. Scott works in groups or one-on-one and is gifted in dealing with sexual abuse, addictions, self-injury (cutting), eating disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship struggles. He has made it a full-time endeavor to counsel, mentor, and speak to schools, colleges, churches, seminaries, and other groups regarding the challenges and mental health concerns facing today's youth. Scott founded 3rdchair to meet the needs of young adults of Grand Rapids. Again, as part of access, we want to make both available to eliminate barriers that might get in the way of someone getting help.Scott McKnight, Founding Director, LMSW Clinical Practice, MBA We know some people will prefer that face-to-face and some prefer the online telehealth. “We’re not sure how big it will get 10 years from now, or what percentage (of visits) will be face-to-face versus an online environment. “We see teletherapy as a growing interest as a service,” Eastburg concludes. The service may also increase access for those who feel reluctant or embarrassed to be seen in a mental health setting. If clients are not in a private location, they will be asked to reschedule. The app has no recording ability and therapists, working in a room alone with the door closed, will ask clients if they are in a place where others can hear them. In compliance with HIPAA, the video chats are encrypted from the point the call originates until the point it hits the client’s computer or mobile device. While most managed Medicaid plans cover the service, straight Medicaid does not. While the app extends services to people throughout Michigan who do not have physical access, it still is only available to those who have the means or insurance to pay. A county with no access has the same access through telehealth care as the person in Grand Rapids.” With this sort of technology, those barriers really get broken down. “There are geographic areas in Michigan that are really underserved. “Teletherapy is a really fantastic tool,” he says. Eastburg notes that if someone with a mental health emergency calls, they will be directed to immediate care. Video chats are scheduled within 48 hours of contact. The updated app integrates mental health care into the service to help adults struggling with issues like anxiety, depression, sadness, grief, and stress. Spectrum has been offering telehealth visits for primary care since 2015, recently reaching its 100,000th visit. “Part of our strategy in trying to solve behavioral health access is to make ourselves available in as many settings as possible with the least amount of barriers.” In physician offices, in our homes and families, at school, and in businesses,” says Mark Eastburg, Ph.D, President and CEO of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. “Behavioral health needs to appear in all kinds of places. A new partnership with Spectrum Health and its recently rebranded Spectrum Health Now app will extend that service to more people in need throughout the entire state. Last year alone, they conducted 25,000 therapy sessions over the phone. Since 2013, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services has been trying to address this lack of care by offering telehealth services. Fifteen Michigan counties have no psychiatrists 10 have neither psychologists nor psychiatrists and 15 have no SUD treatment facilities. ![]() ![]() ![]() While ability to pay is one major hurdle to receiving care, a shortage of providers is another. The numbers for people with substance-use disorders (SUD) drop to 20 percent. While 1.76 million Michiganders live with a mental illness, more than 666,000 of them (38 percent) are unable to access care. A JAltarum report funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund shares that mental health care is out of reach for many Michigan residents. ![]()
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