On Friday, the New Jersey’s largest and comprehensive health network – Hackensack Meridian Health – announced the launch of the nation’s first medically integrated urgent care center that offers mental health treatment.
The health network said the move to launch the urgent care center for mental health treatment is to improve access, care, and treatment for those who struggle with psychological issues and drug addiction.
CEO of Hackensack Meridian HealthRobert Garrett said, “This first-of-a-kind concept will help us transform behavioral health care in New Jersey and beyond. It is so important that we give patients options for high-quality, convenient and affordable health care outside the walls of hospitals.”
With the new service, patients can have access to behavioral health experts, including mental health experts, board-certified clinical social workers, registered nurses, and even a psychiatristthrough online consultation if needed.
The aim is to improve immediate access to mental health treatment, provide more timely attention and care, offer more comprehensive and coordinated care, address the stigma attached to psychological issues, and reduce the burden on the hospitals’ emergency rooms.
Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who joined the celebration of the opening ceremony of the urgent care center along with other politicians, said, “Brain health shouldn’t be treated any different than physical health. It’s outlined discrimination.”
“Everyone needs a ‘checkup from the neck up’ at certain points in life, but our current health care system doesn’t make that easy,” added Mr. Kennedy. “This behavioral health urgent care center is a game-changer in that it acknowledges behavioral health as an essential component of overall health and makes it easy for people to connect to treatment. Breaking down barriers to care helps everyone – individuals, families, and the community at large.”
In the United States, at least one in five adults experiences a mental health problem. In 2018, more than 60 percent of people with psychological problems did not receive care.
CEO and president of Carrier Clinic Donald Parker said, “Adding psychology to urgent care services allows us to treat patients with behavioral health issues in as non-stigmatizing and non-threatening a manner as possible.”
“It is difficult for a general practitioner to have the time and the ability to handle psychological issues when a patient walks through their door,’ added Parker. “We need equal levels of those skills in urgent care and this concept does just that, addressing physical and psychological health challenges on par with each other.”
