The Faculty Senate Planning Team invited Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Kim Gorman and Director of HR, Nancy Ford to its recent meeting (September 16th, 2020) to discuss current mental health offerings at WCU (see attached). The University has a number of resources for faculty in this regard. If you have ideas regarding how the existing offerings can be improved or suggestions as to new offerings that should be added, please post in the comments section of the blog or email me directly at kotto@wcu.edu.
State Health Plan Mental Health Resources:
- Plan benefits cover mental health and chemical dependency treatment, including office visits for the same amount as a Primary Care Provider copay.
- As part of your benefit you also have access to several online resources that include information on managing stress, anxiety, depression, drug misuse, or a substance use disorder. Visit Beacon Health Options, the Plan’s mental health case manager’s website, or call 800-367-6143.
Beacon Health offers a blog titled Beacon Lens with a variety of relevant topics. Most recently articles have been posted on Taking a Second Look at Suicide During COVID -19, Minority Mental Health, Cultural Competency.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Benefits: The Plan provides benefits for the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse by a hospital, outpatient provider or other provider. Coverage for in-network inpatient and outpatient services is coordinated through your Mental Health Case Manager. The Plan delegates administration of these benefits to the Mental Health Case Manager.
- Office Visit Services: The following professional services are covered when provided in an office setting:
- Evaluation and diagnosis.
- Preventive office visits.
- Medically necessary biofeedback and neuropsychological testing.
- Individual and family counseling.
- Group therapy.
- Outpatient Services: Covered outpatient treatment services when provided in a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility include:
- Each service listed in the section under office visit services.
- Partial-day/night hospitalization services (minimum of four hours per day and 20 hours per week).
- Intensive Outpatient Program services (less than four hours per day and minimum of nine hours per week).
- Inpatient Services: Covered inpatient treatment services also include:
- Each service listed under office visit services.
- Semi-private room and board.
- Detoxification to treat substance abuse.
How to Access Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services:
When you need mental health or substance abuse treatment, you should call a Mental Health Case Manager customer service representative at 800-367-6143.available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Mental Health Case Manager customer service representative will refer you to a list of in-network providers and will give you the information you need to receive services.
Mobile Crisis Team – Appalachian Community Services provides 24/7/365 rapid response to Western North Carolina residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 888-315-2880 if you or a loved one is experiencing an emergency.
Is there, by chance, a link to worksheets and information that you use with patients?
Thanks Raven. The self help page is available here. (https://www.wcu.edu/experience/health-and-wellness/caps/self-help.aspx)
There are individual worksheets attached with each of our self help videos. Additionally, the Coping Skills Workbook is available.