MORRISONVILLE, NY – May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and organizations like Behavioral Health Sciences North are working hard to change the way mental health treatment is sought and delivered.
Most of us may not like to talk about mental health, but Liz Cole, vice president of operations at BHSN, believes we all need to pay more attention to our mental health at one time or another in our lives. It states that you can benefit by paying. Cole says: “There is no discrimination when it comes to mental health. Everyone can benefit from accessing services, whether children or adults. Regardless of geographic location or economic status, we all face challenges. Yes, because as you grow older, life becomes more difficult.
Behavioral Health Services North has a 150-year history. Now, with the help of some grants, they are offering what they call “integrated care.”
Cole says: “So we’re treating people as whole people. If we look at their social needs, what are their basic needs? They need food, shelter, employment, transportation. What physical health needs do they have? Are there any chronic conditions they may be experiencing? There are basic needs that weren’t there, and they’re going to be very important to people’s overall well-being.”
Cole says a big part of mental health awareness is talking about it. “I think we’ve come a long way in reducing bias, especially in our communities. Talking about it and educating our communities. But it’s going to take us coming together as a community and as partners. And the more we can do that, the more accepted it becomes. We’ve done this through partnerships with hospitals and local schools. was really able to meet kids where they are. The more we talk about mental health, and the more we raise awareness about mental health, the more open and accepting it becomes for people. We will continue to pave the way for support and assistance.”
Improved services also mean new jobs locally, and BHSN is holding walk-in clinics for potential new hires.
