Utah’s shortage of mental health providers can make it challenging for patients to get the care they need. That’s why the Utah State Legislature, Utah Department of Health and Human Services and Huntsman Mental Health Institute joined forces to create the CALL-UP Psychiatry Consult Service. Primary care and pediatric providers may phone or submit a form online for free-of-charge psychiatric consultation with experts from the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI).
Access to behavioral health tops the list of challenges faced by rural providers and patients. CALL-UP allows primary care providers access to expert-level mental health consultation regarding their patients while avoiding geographic, financial and other challenges.
“The CALL-UP program is especially beneficial for providers in rural communities to feel confident treating complex mental health challenges,“ says Tyler Rundell, MPAS, PA-C, Chief Medical Officer at Green River Medical Center. “It helps our clients get care closer to home, saving time and money. Decreasing barriers to care brings good outcomes.”
Rundell recalls one patient, suffering from both anxiety and substance use disorder, who came to him with a long list of medications and comorbidities. Rundell reached out to CALL-UP for support in creating a treatment plan. With this support, the patient stabilized. The patient had considered leaving Green River for care, and was thankful to be able stay at home and avoid hospitalization.
“We want rural providers to know that they are not alone when a patient comes in with a mental health concern,” says Lauren Brown, Project Facilitator of CALL-UP Program at HMHI. “Although our psychiatrists are miles away, with a few clicks or a phone call, their expertise is available.”
To utilize the CALL-UP program, providers may submit an online form or call the phone line at 801.587.3636. The line is staffed Monday through Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of holidays. Questions about the program may be emailed to [email protected].
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services and Huntsman Mental Health Institute have joined together to create the program, which stands for Consultation Access Link Line to Utah Psychiatry (CALL-UP). CALL-UP is a legislative funded program designed to address the limited number of psychiatric services in Utah and improve access to them. This state program helps serve Utah providers in the care of their patients’ mental health at no cost.
Green River Medical Center offers a full range of primary and preventive health care, dental and oral health programs, behavioral health, chronic care management, pharmacy services, and urgent care interventions. The team of medical and behavioral health providers work together to treat the “whole” patient through integrated healthcare. Integrated healthcare allows our providers to address both physical and behavioral needs to achieve wellness.
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