COVID-19 Outbreak Delaying Essential Mental Health Care, Creating Backlog of Need
WACO, Texas (April 15, 2020) – One in five Americans suffers from some form of mental illness in their life. With 6.6 million recently laid off due to the coronavirus outbreak, the country could see an increase in those struggling with mental health issues.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt daily routines, people struggling with behavioral health issues are at increased risk of halting or postponing treatment as a result of social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Additionally, individuals who might normally receive mental health intervention during an ER admission or routine physical exam are likely not receiving those services due to the outbreak. This is creating a growing backlog of individuals who will need treatment for exacerbated conditions in the post-coronavirus future.
Oceans Behavioral Hospital Waco, a local provider of behavioral health treatment for adults 50 and older, is taking steps to ensure uninterrupted access to essential mental health services using telehealth options. Health care and senior care providers may now request phone or video consultations for their patients or residents, and programs have moved to conducting individual and group therapies virtually when able.
“The coronavirus outbreak is disrupting our lives and delaying essential mental health care for individuals who need it most,” said Ray Crawford, administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital Waco. “Social distancing and quarantine can cause feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, and people who have a history of mental illness can find these circumstances particularly difficult to manage. While we must temporarily adjust how we provide care, there are still ways we can support those struggling with behavioral health issues.”
A provider of essential health care services, Oceans Waco remains open for inpatient and outpatient treatment and has implemented the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for screening, testing and infection control. However, many people may prefer to communicate electronically. Oceans’ secure telehealth options aim to minimize unnecessary physical contact while maintaining the same high standard of care.
Oceans Behavioral Hospital Waco is located at 5931 Crosslake Parkway. To make a referral or request more information about treatment options call 254-870-4874 or visit oceanswaco.com.
ABOUT OCEANS HEALTHCARE
Oceans Healthcare is a growing behavioral health provider focused on healing and long-term recovery. Founded in 2004, Oceans provides inpatient and outpatient treatment to individuals 18 and older, with a special focus on the unique physical and emotional needs of older adults. Oceans Healthcare’s network includes treatment locations across the Southeast. The company consistently achieves industry-leading performance metrics on national quality and safety measurements, as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission and was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, visit www.oceanshealthcare.com.