Organizations are adopting telepsychiatry and hybrid therapy to expand mental health services, improving access for over 150 million Americans in underserved areas. Telehealth constitutes a significant portion of outpatient visits, notably for depression and anxiety. Successful cases from Centerstone and Lyra Health highlight the benefits of telepsychiatry, while The Dorm innovates hybrid group therapy. Veterans’ mental health gains attention with telebehavioral health solutions. Telehealth’s flexibility in care delivery, coupled with Zoom technology, underscores improved mental health services potential.
In a concerted effort to expand their mental health offerings, various organizations have delved into the realms of telepsychiatry and hybrid group therapy, providing patients with a broader array of options for seeking mental health assistance.
The pivotal role of telepsychiatry in enhancing the accessibility of mental health care cannot be overstated. Kaiser Family Foundation reports that telehealth accounts for more than one in three outpatient visits, with figures reaching 35% and 38% for depression and anxiety outpatient visits conducted over telehealth, respectively. This development holds particular significance for the over 150 million Americans residing in areas grappling with a shortage of mental health professionals.
For those organizations contemplating the adoption or expansion of virtual mental health services, as well as the exploration of hybrid group therapy, a comprehensive resource collection awaits your perusal below. Within these resources, you will gain insights from various organizations regarding the advantages of telepsychiatry, as well as considerations for the delivery of care.
Insights from Clinical and Technological Perspectives on Telepsychiatry
Noteworthy success stories involving telepsychiatry come from behavioral health service providers, Centerstone and Lyra Health. The former introduced telehealth services in 2018 with the specific aim of reaching patients in rural communities. Dr. Vinita Watts, Chief Medical Officer at Centerstone, emphasized the flexibility brought about by the capability to deliver mental health care through telehealth in homes or clinics while maintaining face-to-face interactions as needed.
At Lyra Health, a substantial portion of individuals exhibit a preference for virtual telehealth visits, even as in-person alternatives remain available. Dr. Matthew Jakupcak, Senior Director of Clinical Quality at Lyra Health, highlighted the utilization of technology to enhance the patient-provider matching process based on symptom reports and severity, ensuring optimal care provision. Steve Demetrious, UC Architect at Centerstone, praised the utilization of Zoom Rooms’ scalability and intelligent gallery view to reimagine therapy spaces for an equitable patient experience. His team’s focus lies in allowing the technology to recede into the background, especially in group settings where visibility and audibility are crucial.
Insights from a More Inclusive Hybrid Group Therapy Model for Young Adults
The Dorm, a mental health treatment center catering to young adults, confronted the post-COVID-19 landscape by introducing hybrid group therapy sessions. Clients gained the flexibility to participate in group therapy either in person or remotely via Zoom. However, initially, there were challenges in ensuring equal participation for all attendees.
John McGeehan, CEO and Founder of The Dorm embarked on a journey to revamp the center’s physical spaces to accommodate hybrid group treatments. By leveraging the technology of Zoom Rooms and DTEN devices, his team succeeded in creating a more inclusive environment, enabling clients to seamlessly join group therapy sessions from remote locations.
Enhancing Veterans’ Access to Mental Health Care
The pressing issue of mental health within the veteran and armed forces community is underlined by an ebook commissioned by Zoom in collaboration with GovExec. The publication highlights that suicide rates among active-duty military personnel have reached unprecedented levels, and a quarter of military families express unmet mental health needs. The scarcity of clinicians and geographical challenges have hampered access to care for veterans and military members alike.
This resource delves into how telebehavioral health is being harnessed to cater to the mental health needs of veterans and armed forces members, shedding light on the unique capabilities of the Zoom for Government platform in making mental health care more accessible.
Telepsychiatry: Enabling Flexibility in Mental Health Services
Telehealth has ushered in a realm of flexibility for both mental health practitioners and patients, allowing them to connect with care regardless of location or circumstance. The importance of this flexibility in healthcare is explored further, with insights into how Zoom’s technology contributes to the enhancement of care delivery.
