Mental health care demand increases
MARSHALL COUNTY — The Bowen Center offers a wide variety of services to meet the needs of individuals who are seeking mental health treatment. Since the pandemic there has been a sharp increase in individuals seeking care from adults to students.
Sessions can be scheduled in-person, virtual or by telephone. Director at Marshall County Bowen Center Lindie Leary, said, “We are trying to meet everyone’s needs right now.”
Leary said that telemedicine has been beneficial for the rural community. “It has really benefited our clients with the option of telephone. We live so rural that transportation is a huge problem for quite a bit of the population in Marshall County. Whether you don’t have a car, your car is not reliable, you don’t have the gas money or you don’t have the time to drive. We are a big county.”
Leary stated, “We have seen a huge increase in mental health and substance use. Student wise we have had a lot more students this year.” The pandemic and political unrest has been at the forefront of minds this year.
Demand
She addressed the pandemic and the impact it has had on students. “This is extremely tough on kids.” Many students who are being educated virtually miss their peers, those attending in-person face different challenges. “Think about how hard this is for kids. They have never had to wear masks before. They’ve never had to worry about being too close to their peer and talking to them. They never had to worry about
Don’t let financial concerns stop you from getting the help you need. Individuals who seek treatment at the Bowen Center will first complete an intake form. They will be paired with an appropriate counselor based on what the indicated mental health concerns and needs are. From there, an office manager will also help navigate the financial aspects of managing care; including seeking out assistance available to pay for treatment.
Presumptive Eligibility:
New clients will be considered to have presumptive eligibility for insurance; and within that initial thirty days of starting treatment; they will meet with a care navigator to help them verify what insurance coverage or supplemental coverage they may be eligible for. For those who have insurance but are deterred by high deductibles or co-payments; the Bowen Center can work with them on implementing a payment plan.
Charity Care and Grant Funding:
The Bowen Center also has access to charity care and grant funding for certain treatments
Project HOPE:
Individuals in need of treatment for substance use recovery do not have to be a Bowen Center patient to be assisted through Project HOPE.
Financial Solutions and Payment Plans:
Payment solutions and payment plans can be explored with the assistance of the Office Manager.
Student Assistance Program:
Students are eligible for prepaid counseling sessions through their school.
Call 1-800-342-5652 to find out more. Students under 18 require parental consent.
Students, virtual or in-person, enrolled in any public school throughout Marshall County are eligible.
giving a high five, or shaking hands, or fist bumps or anything like that.”
Prior to the pandemic, Leary said that counselors generally knew what to expect. “Prior to the pandemic when a patient would come in; you knew them, you knew their care plan, and you knew what their general reason for coming was. You could really guess what was going to be talked about in a session. Right now it’s COVID or political.”
Leary said that expressed concerns about the state of the nation’s politics range from the president, to the events that took place at the Capital Building, activity relating to protests, and the election. “Those seem to be what’s on their mind. And it makes sense because it’s what we are living every day, right?”
She noted that the uncertainty is stressful for some people; adding to anxiety and fear. “It’s just this unknown.”
“I think back to when I was a student and what they have to think about today. Even really little kids; they understand the coronavirus and what’s behind it. They know more about politics than most people have had to from years and years before.”
Uncertainty and lack of control can lead to anxiety. “It causes a lot of uncertainty and anxiety and just everyday waking up of what am I going to see today. What’s going to happen today? And that’s really difficult for some people. And these are things where a lot of it is outside of people’s control. You have control over wearing your mask, to wash your hands, but we still have to live in this pandemic. You have the ability to vote if you are old enough to vote. There are some abilities you have in the area of some of this political stuff we’ve seen in the last year but really we just have to live through it.”
Leary recommends that students who are struggling mentally or emotionally start out by seeking help from their school guidance counselor. Students are eligible for pre-paid counseling sessions through their school to get their treatment started with parental consent.
In-person students and virtual students are eligible for two pre-paid sessions every academic school year through the School Assistance Program (SAP). Those sessions are available in-person, virtually through ZOOM, and by telephone.
Leary said that telemedicine options have helped people access care who might be concerned about stigmas relating to mental health care. “The option of telephone or virtual has been a real game changer for Marshall County. It has helped some to just make that leap to get help. For some it has countered the stigma because they can do their intake over the phone. They don’t even have to walk in to the building. But at least it’s getting them started and breaking that barrier of the stigma to see what therapy is about and it doesn’t have to be so taboo.”
She is also working with Marshall County Community Foundation Director Linda Yoder and a community advocate to bring RemedyLIVE to Marshall County. “They talk about difficult topics, mental health topics.” Pre-pandemic the organization held events live at schools as far west as Fort Wayne; but have not been to Marshall County as yet. More information about that event will be featured when details are finalized.
Through offering counseling and seeking out educational opportunities; Leary hopes to help kids in Marshall County have a safe and happy childhood. “We want to try and helps kids know that it’s okay to feel the way they are feeling. We want them to know they are supported and how to access those supports.”
Contact the Bowen Center at 1-800-3425653 for more information or to make an appointment.