(Mental Health and Our Community Part 4 by Art Caron, licensed social worker and behavioral health therapist at Keystone Behavioral Health, first appeared in a May 2014 edition of the Public Opinion Newspaper.)
In this final installment of a four part series on mental health and our community, Art Caron, licensed clinical social worker and behavioral health therapist at Keystone Behavioral Health, shares where to go for mental health help in a non-emergency and emergency situation.
Start with your doctor
The primary access point for mental health treatment should be a person’s primary care physician (PCP). When we consult with our physician, other types of illness can be ruled out as the cause of an increase in depression or anxiety. If the cause is mental health illness, proper referrals and appointments can be made in order to make sure care is continued.
A license is important
It’s important to seek treatment from a licensed professional that is trained for specific needs of patients. Like medical doctors, mental health professionals have training to treat specific issues such as drugs, alcohol, geriatric, child or marriage. Having a license shows the professional has continued education and training to provide current treatment techniques to patients.
Emergency
In an emergency situation it is always best to err on the side of caution, especially if a person may be suicidal. Always ask the question, “Are you suicidal?” The best thing to do is to get the person to a crisis intervention or emergency room. After the person at risk is evaluated and made safe, the potential options for treatment can be discussed.
Crisis Help
If you can’t get to a local emergency room during an emergency or urgent situation, in Franklin County there is a 24 hour crisis intervention hotline available by calling (717) 264-2555 or (866) 918-2555. Callers have the opportunity to talk privately with trained staff who listen, support, and supply callers with appropriate resources to help for their personal crisis.
Franklin County’s Crisis Services
In Chambersburg, Keystone Health Crisis Intervention program is located near the emergency room at the Chambersburg Hospital. If a person calling the hotline for help is in need of further assistance, the crisis staff may suggest that the caller go to the nearest emergency department. Crisis staff can also come to you wherever you are located.
*This article contains general information only and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or care by a qualified health care provider.
