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Mental health center aims to help residents be their best

Augusta Chronicle - 5/30/2020

May 30--Mental illness affects one in five people, but the isolation and loneliness brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is compounding the problem for many.

That's why the Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center is working extra hard to help the communities they serve. While they already serve thousands of people annually, including more than 700 in Barnwell County, they have seen a growing need since the pandemic started in March. May is

"We know this pandemic has certainly changed and altered the way of life by causing many people to experience more stress and anxiety," said Tamara Smith, executive director of the ABMHC, which includes the Polly Best Center (916 Reynolds Road) in Barnwell.

Mental health comes in many forms. Some patients may require medication and assistance for life to deal with disorders such as schizophrenia, though others may be more on a short-term basis to handle things such as depression.

Regardless of the issue, Smith and her staff want people to know that there is help and hope.

"Our goal is to get them back to their best," said LaCinda McCormack, program director for the Polly Best Center.

The Polly Best Center has a team of professionals ready to help every patient achieve their best. However, they can't help unless a patient reaches out for help. Part of the problem is overcoming the stigma associated with mental illness.

"Half the battle is going through the door. There's no shame in going to the doctor. We don't want the experience to be painful, we want it to be supportive," said McCormack.

While people often think about their physical health, it's important to realize that everyone also has mental health. If something is wrong, it's important to seek help, just like you would for a physical ailment, said McCormack and Smith.

"Good mental health is essential to our well-being," said Smith.

McCormack and Smith encourage people to listen to their bodies, especially changes in mood, behavior, sleep, work/school performance, eating patterns or interest in activities that normally bring pleasure.

"If something is impacting your relationships and functions, then it's time to seek help," said Smith. "Mental health is treatable. It is a disease of the brain."

After an initial assessment, the staff at the Polly Best Center will develop a customized treatment plan. This can include medication, therapy or a combination of the two. There is a lot of follow-up to ensure the treatment plan is working and make any changes that need to be made.

The Polly Best Center has utilized telehealth since COVID-19 caused them to cease in-office meetings in mid-March. They also make phone calls to patients who don't have the internet capabilities for telehealth.

While using technology has enhanced accessibility to some patients, McCormack said it's not the same as actually being in the same room. "It's more meaningful when we can connect with our patients face to face," she said.

The Polly Best Center plans to start offering face-to-face meetings with new patients starting June 1 and then gradually expand.

New patients are encouraged to call (803) 259-7170 to set up a screening, which can be done in person or over the phone. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The center also employs school mental health therapists in all three of Barnwell County's public school districts. These therapists play vital roles in schools, but are even more important now that schools are closed and have altered the normal routines for students.

"There are a lot of other stresses that weren't here in February," said McCormack, who started her career at the Polly Best Center as a school mental health therapist.

The Polly Best Center has many community partners they work with to better serve their patients, including the Axis I Center of Barnwell, Generations Unlimited, S.C. Regional Housing Authority #3, local physicians, Clemson Extension, and others.

They also have a good working relationship with local law enforcement agencies who sometimes identify people in need of care. This relationship has been strengthened by the Community Crisis Response Intervention (CCRI) program that was implemented in 2019 to help individuals who are having harder times with their mental health.

Before CCRI was started, law enforcement officers would often be unable to reach the Polly Best Center after hours. This often led to law enforcement transporting people to hospitals to be observed. However, the Polly Best Center now has a 24/7 crisis line (1-833-364-2274), which is also available to the public, that connects law enforcement to mental health professionals to determine the best response.

"When someone is in a crisis, it doesn't mean that they have to go to a hospital. We can use this as a teachable moment," said McCormack.

While a trip to the hospital is sometimes needed, McCormack said they often can come up with alternatives by getting the patient's loved ones involved and developing a safety plan to build confidence.

The Polly Best Center has received positive feedback from law enforcement partners about CCRI.

Just as law enforcement and other first responders are there for the community, the Polly Best Center wants to be there for those men and women who keep the community safe. That's why the center has started a service to help first responders deal with the critical incidents they encounter. First responders can call 1-833-364-3778 for more information.

For those suffering with mental health issues, McCormack and Smith said patients need to understand that there are things that will be beyond their control. That's why it is important to focus on what they can control and how they react to the circumstances they can't control. This includes getting sufficient rest, eating nutritious food, exercising, and limiting television, especially about COVID-19 and other depressing news.

This is also where the center's peer support specialists can help. These are individuals who have been in the same shoes as current patients because they have had their own mental health struggles. They can help current patients navigate their illness, such as learning how to talk to a doctor about medicine and tips to implement daily that can help them stay well, Smith said.

McCormack said the prevention, intervention and recovery services the center provides are vital because untreated mental illness can lead to larger problems.

With May designated as National Mental Health Awareness Month, the staff at the Polly Best Center want patients to realize that they are not defined by their illness.

"A person is so much more than their diagnosis," said Smith.

There is hope.

If you or someone you love is in need of the services offered by the Polly Best Center, please call their office at (803) 259-7170 or the 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 1-833-364-2274.

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