New Horizons Behavioral Health psychologist conducts mental health needs assessment
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A licensed clinical psychologist with New Horizons Behavioral Health conducted an assessment to address the unmet behavioral health needs of the region.
Getting help is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of strength.
Dr. LaKaren Rickman, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Rickman conducted a research study called the Community Mental Health Needs Assessment. This was a requirement, as the nonprofit transitions to a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC).
CCBHC is a national movement that the federal government has really tried to fund and increased resources for. Georgia is now moving to all of its community service boards, becoming CCBHC credentialed or certified, because that allows us to have additional resources so that we can now remove some of those barriers to care.
Dr. LaKaren Rickman, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
According to New Horizons, the assessment examines community factors that contribute to behavioral health difficulties. It also looks into the occurrence of behavioral health disorders among people in the community and the number of individuals seeking treatment at the nonprofit.
Columbus actually has more mental health providers than the state average and nationally. However, we have less providers who provide care for those who are economically disadvantaged.
Dr. LaKaren Rickman, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Some of the barriers found in the region include accessibility to care, poverty, workforce development and stigma associated with mental health and addiction issues. Rickman says that oftentimes, mental illness is seen as a weakness, rather than a physical health concern.
I think that one of the reasons nationally that we still deal with stigma is mental illness is the unseen illness. It’s often something that a person doesn’t necessarily wear on the outside. So people often think it’s nonexistent. I also think we’ve transitioned over time to the term behavioral health because people hear mental illness and they have all kinds of negative images that are associated with it.
Dr. LaKaren Rickman, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
New Horizons will be implementing changes to address the community’s needs. Rickman says the nonprofit will offer a mobile unit, especially in rural communities, bringing health care to their patients’ front door.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
