Mental Health Awareness Week kicked off Sunday
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Mental health Awareness Week kicked off Sunday through this Saturday.
“The number one disability in the world is depression,” said Justin Ray, a psychiatric nurse practitioner for South Chesapeake.
It’s a topic Justin Ray doesn’t take lightly. Moreover, the law has pivoted that could affect those living with mental health issues.
President Donald Trump signed public law, 119-21 making Medicaid recipients work or commit to community service. Among those recipients are those who battle mental health issues.
There’s also a shortage in the nation of psychiatrists and others who have careers in the clinical mental health field.
“They have to find a provider and it’s going to be a problem, and I think continuing providers to seek clients to be available is. A huge thing, if you restrict that it’s going to be a problem,” Ray said.
He’s referring to the change in telehealth starting in 2028. Medicare will require in person visits before the first mental health telehealth service six months prior.
Now that in person services are planning to go into effect, this puts pressure on providers in the Commonwealth who already suffer a shortage.
“There is a mental health provider shortage. I can’t stress enough the need because there’s so many people who are struggling with mental health problems,” Erica Hanner said, the clinical director for Adult Mental Health Services for CAYA.
Hanner and Ray said there are hurdles some people face just to make it to appointments alone and that services like telehealth play a pivotal role in ensuring those patients are seen.
“They’re less likely to do that than if they were to get in a car and get on their phone,” Ray said.
“It really touched on some of the barriers a lot of people have when it comes to getting to treatment,” Hanner said.
The two both agreed that advocating for mental health and resources fuels a start to change. It is essential to seek help, even if you physically cannot get to a resourced location.
“Encourage people who are not doing well to seek assistance. If they have a voice try to advocate change, encourage them to on how to make access better,” Ray said.
“Just dial 9-8-8 and they can talk to someone immediately,” Hanner said.
