Studies show that more than 50 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their life. Having poor mental health can make everyday life and maintaining recovery challenging, but it can also have an impact on families, communities, and our whole world. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and costs the global economy nearly $1 trillion each year in lost productivity.
The good news for area residents is that Greene County Medical Center has resources to help monitor and maintain mental health.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and also a great time to think about and prioritize your mental health. Greene County Medical Center has three skilled behavioral health providers ready to deliver high quality care close to home.
Heather Wilson, a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, (PMHNP-BC) has been at Greene County Family Medicine Clinic since 2020. Wilson has 22 years of nursing experience and has worked in six different hospitals in various roles including, women’s health, OB, specialty clinics, inpatient mental health, and the ER.
Christie Burnell, a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, (PMHNP-BC) has been providing behavioral health services at Greene County Family Medicine Clinic since September 2021. Burnell has worked at other rural hospitals in the area throughout her career and at Greene County Medical Center in 2009 in the acute department, cardiac rehabilitation, and the medical center’s ER and surgery.
Bonnie Riphagen is a licensed master of social work (LMSW) has been at Greene County Family Medicine Clinic since 2020. In her career, Riphagen has worked on an inpatient behavioral health unit as a mental health therapist, crisis intervention and addiction therapist, bereavement coordinator and family service coordinator.
Greene County behavioral health at Greene County Family Medicine Clinic provides services such as counseling, diagnosis, evaluation and assessment, plan of care, treatment development, collaboration with health care team and medication management. Services include treatment for ADHD, anxiety, behavioral difficulties, bipolar disorder, depression, family problems, grief, mental health evaluations, personality disorder, PTSD, relationship problems, stress, substance abuse, among others.
“At Greene County Medical Center, we pride ourselves in providing confidential, patient-centered care. We do that by Investing in You and the care you deserve. This month we want you to invest in yourself and think about prioritizing your mental health,” Wilson said. “We want to help you get well and stay well, and by putting your mental health first we can create a happier and healthier Greene County.”
More than half of adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment, which is over 27 million Americans who go without treatment for their poor mental health. 1 in 25 Americans live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression which can increase the risk for chronic disease such as diabetes or cancer.
All three behavioral health specialists accept new patients. Appointments can be made by calling 515-386-0500.
