FEATURE — Mental illness is a big problem in society – a problem that can be especially compounded for those who have little or no insurance.
This particular demographic is also susceptible to a lack of access to mental health professionals. Fortunately for those who may be struggling with finding services – or covering them financially – Southern Utah has five Family Healthcare clinics that can help.
Lori Wright, CEO of Family Healthcare, told Mind Matters that the Family Healthcare private nonprofit organization was established in 2002 and is dedicated to serving individuals who don’t have a place to go.
“Our goal is to provide outstanding healthcare to every individual, regardless of their background or ability to pay,” Wright said.
Services offered at Family Healthcare include dental, physicians, insurance assistance, pharmacy and mental health behaviorists. They accept all private insurances, Medicaid and Medicare, and they even offer a sliding-pay scale based on income for uninsured and self-paying patients.
As far as mental health services and resources – the focus of the Mind Matters series –Family Healthcare employees mental health specialists both in their St. George and Cedar City clinics. When individuals contact the clinic and expresses interest in visiting with a mental health specialist, they can typically secure an appointment either that same day or the next business day.
After checking in, they will first meet with a medical provider at no additional charge. After being screened for a mental illness, the patient and medical provider will discuss options for medications and whether it will be in the best interest for the patient.
After meeting with the medical provider, the patient will meet with a mental health specialist. This meeting, and any additional meetings, will focus on skill-based therapy where the patient will learn specific skills to deal with life and with their mental illness.
As the Family Healthcare clinics are dedicated to serving individuals regardless of insurance, payment for visits to the mental health specialist are also available on a sliding scale based on income.
If you are interested in contacting Family Healthcare, they have clinics at the following locations:
St. George
Downtown clinic
25 N. 100 East, Ste 102
Millcreek clinic
2408 E. Riverside Drive
Hurricane
Clinic
391 N. 200 West
Cedar City
Clinic
245 E. 680 South
Written by HEIDI BAXLEY, Iron County Prevention Coalition coordinator, and LAUREN MCAFEE, Cedar City Library in the Park grant and development officer.
About the “Mind Matters” Series
As the Mind Matters series continues, we will highlight several Southern Utah mental health providers and organizations, as well as success stories, but if you or someone you know is seeking help or resources now, go to the following websites:
- Intermountain Healthcare St. George psychiatry and counseling.
- Dixie Regional Behavioral Medicine Unit.
- Cedar City mental health provider list.
If you or someone you know needs helps immediately, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911. There is help and hope available.
St. George News “Mind Matters” series aims to illuminate how mental illnesses affect society and how to maintain mental health.
Articles are contributed by Cedar City Library in the Park in partnership with the Iron County Prevention Coalition and will highlight available resources people may access in Southern Utah and online. However, if you have a success story you would like to share as part of the series, email Heidi Baxley at [email protected] or Lauren McAfee at [email protected].
Read more: All the articles in the Mind Matters series
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.