BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) – May is Mental Health Awareness Month and mental health leaders are encouraging more people to reach out for telemedicine services for mental health treatment.
Leaders with WVU Medicine’s The Behavioral Health Pavilion of the Virginias say telemedicine is something they offer to patients in the two Virginias. It uses virtual means to talk with those dealing with mental health issues without having them travel.
Leaders with the pavilion say more rural areas often have clinician shortages which is why telemedicine is extremely important in our region. They’re urging anyone dealing with mental health issues to reach out and get help. Whether it’s in person or virtually..
“It’s been shown in studies that the quality of care and the patient satisfaction is actually equal to inpatient services. So a lot of these telemedicine programs stuck around after COVID. It’s actually growing more and more every day,” said medical director, Dr. Andrew Owens.
“There’s a big stigma attached to mental health. There’s no difference in being physically ill than a mental health crisis. We want to take the stigma out of that. We’re here for help 24/7,” said nurse manager, Lisa Williams.
The pavilion has a 24/7 crisis hotline that anyone can call during a mental health crisis. The number is 304-325-4681.
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