Packard Health’s Director of Behavioral Health Corey Telin, LMSW, MHSA, shares his responses to questions about the current state of behavioral health during a global pandemic, specific advice for patients, and what he looks forward to in his new role.

Q. Can you explain how behavioral health is different from mental health?  

A. While mental health is a term that deals with primarily the psychological wellbeing of an individual, behavioral health is a much broader term. Behavioral health can include the daily habits that influence our overall wellbeing. Behavioral health also includes substance use disorders and other behaviors that affect us.

Q. How has behavioral health changed this year?

A. The pandemic has definitely impacted behavioral health for everyone this year. The stress of having to socially distance, being apart from family/friends that are often main sources of support can increase feelings of loneliness, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. We have also seen an increase in substance use during the pandemic. One thing that has changed dramatically in the delivery of care has been the quick shift to telehealth. Telehealth has been key in making sure that therapy and psychiatric services are available to everyone who needs it. 

Q. Can you identify and explain any new concerns that are present in behavioral health patients as COVID-19 lingers?

A. We have seen data that shows an increase in opioid overdoses which is very concerning. We were already in the middle of an opioid epidemic when COVID-19 hit, and the pandemic has only complicated the process for individuals seeking treatment, receiving treatment quickly, and getting into recovery. I also feel that overall the lingering itself is having an effect on people everywhere. People are getting worn down and as we gear up for winter, when there is already a tendency to isolate more, it may seem like it is never going to end.

Q. Do individuals delay seeking behavioral health services? If so, why?

A. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma attached to seeking behavioral health services. One thing we try to do is normalize thoughts and feelings around seeking care in the same way we normalize seeking care for other chronic conditions such as hypertension, asthma and diabetes. Patients shouldn’t feel ashamed or feel they need to lift themselves up by their bootstraps. Everyone needs help at some point in their lives and stigma should not be a barrier. Normalizing mental health and behavioral health in the healthcare field at large should be a long term goal of all providers.

Q. When should someone seek behavioral health services?

A. This can depend on the person, but traditionally if you are having symptoms that are interfering with your daily life. For example if you are having symptoms of depression that are not allowing you to enjoy things you normally do or are having poor sleep, poor energy, are having a hard time being motivated, it may mean it’s time to talk to you provider about what your options are.

Q. If someone is experiencing a behavioral health emergency and cannot see or speak with a provider promptly, what are they advised to do?

If it’s an emergency, please go to the emergency room or call 911. We have great resources in our area at both Michigan Medicine and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor where they have clinical social work staff in both ER’s ready to assist in a mental health emergency. Washtenaw County also has phone crisis services available 24/7 at 734-544-3050. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Q. What is the most frequently offered advice that you and the Packard Health Behavioral Health Team are sharing with patients right now?

A. Self-care. Do things that are enjoyable and make you happy. This can seem like a no brainer but it can be difficult to remember to do. If you can’t visit friends and family, set up a video call. Take time for yourself. Try new coping strategies such as mindfulness and try healthy activities such as walking or yoga. I think the last piece of advice is that no one has ever been through this before. It’s okay to be anxious or depressed. It’s also okay if you are not! Be easy on yourself, and reach out for help if needed. We are all in this together.

Q. Being very new to Packard Health, what do you hope to bring to patients and staff in your new role?

A. I’m very excited to be part of Packard Health. It’s great to be part of an organization that is so dedicated to their patients and see the link between physical and mental well-being. My hopes are to expand our behavioral health and substance use services and further integrate both into our patient’s primary care.

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On “Washtenaw United” this week, Dr. Ankoor Soni, Medical Director talks with WEMU 89.1’s David Fair about the shift in perspective, from addiction as a crime issue to one of public health.

LISTEN TO DR. SONI HERE

WEMU has partnered with the United Way of Washtenaw County to explore the people, organizations, and institutions creating opportunity and equity in our area.

The post New Addiction Program Shows Promising Results – Listen in to Dr. Soni on WEMU appeared first on Packard Health.

Of the 32,000 patient visits logged annually at Packard Health‘s three Washtenaw County locations, nearly 1,000 so far this year have been related to the clinic’s medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program for opioid addiction.

Packard’s MAT program has grown rapidly since launching last year, when it logged just over 200 visits in its first seven months of existence. Sharon Moore (left) has been a patient with Packard since its inception and also serves as vice chair of its board of directors. She says Packard’s growing range of services and acceptance of all patients, with or without insurance, is imperative to the community.

“There are people (Packard doctors) see that other places won’t see or won’t take full-attention care of because they don’t have insurance,” Moore says. “And we have a board that is sensitive to the needs of our patients.”

Moore says Packard Health doctors and the board take into consideration what the community is facing and makes adjustments or adds to its services, which include behavioral health and chronic pain management. MAT was the most recent such addition.

MAT combines medication with behavioral therapy to help patients make a sustained recovery from addiction. According to studies, it’s proven effective and has a higher success rate than a therapy-only approach for substance-abuse patients.

With an average of 130 Americans dying from opioid overdose every day, Packard Health’s new addition to its addiction treatment services is a critical step forward to combat the opioid crisis in Washtenaw County.

Developing an MAT program

In 2016, Dr. Ankoor Soni (left) became medical director at Packard Health. Soni was passionate about the benefits of MAT and knew it could have a great impact in Washtenaw County, where few health centers offered MAT. He and Packard executive director Raymond Rion began to look for opportunities to develop an MAT program at Packard.

Two years later, in September 2018, the federal government expanded funding to combat the opioid crisis, awarding more than $396 million to health centers like Packard to enhance addiction treatment services. Packard applied for and received $285,000 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in addition to other grants and partners.

With the funding available, Soni and Rion applied to get the addiction treatment staff at Packard trained for an MAT program and hired Dr. Sarah Bur, who has a certification in addiction medicine.

At first, Soni says it was a challenge to convince the community and Packard’s board of directors that MAT was worth investing in and that it could be a better solution for those who struggle with substance abuse.

Although the community was informed on the opioid crisis, Soni and Rion say Washtenaw County had an abstinence-focused mindset on treating patients with addiction.

However, not all patients can be successful with an abstinence and/or therapy approach, Soni says. Studies have shown that maintenance medication programs decrease mortality by approximately 50% among opioid abusers and increase retention in rehabilitation programs.

Soni says the stigma of addiction can hurt patients by keeping them from receiving the treatment they need.

“Addiction isn’t a character flaw,” Soni says. “It’s a chronic disease and needs to be treated as such.”

Soni says he often compares addiction to type 2 diabetes when educating people on the benefits of MAT. Some type 2 diabetes patients are able to maintain their health through diet and exercise, while some need insulin. In the same way, some recovering addicts need medication to help their recovery.

Despite its initial challenges, Packard’s MAT program quickly drew interest from the community. The program saw 202 visits last year and has 953 so far this year.

Packard staff continue to find ways to expand addiction treatment. Nurse practitioner Gina Dahlem shares naloxone (overdose medication) kits and training with the public to prevent opioid overdose deaths in Washtenaw County.

Dahlem saw a need for naloxone availability and training in her work with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw (Delonis Center), a partner of Packard’s, and has hosted training for community members since 2013.

“The more naloxone available in the community and the more we equip people to respond, the better the outcome,” Dahlem says.

Packard has also developed a partnership with St. Joseph Mercy Emergency Room for opioid-related emergency visits. Patients who come to the ER seeking help are transferred to Packard and its addiction specialists.

“What stands out about Packard is the focus on serving the community,” Soni says. “We determine what the needs are and partner with other nonprofits to help in areas that we’re not experts in. It’s allowed us a flexibility to hear a new idea and run with it and start new projects that haven’t been tried before.”

Packard’s next steps

In the last four years, Packard has seen patient visits grow by 54%, according to annual reports. Rion (left) says that’s thanks to new programs like addiction treatment and behavioral health.

Due to increased foot traffic, Packard opened another satellite location at 200 Arnet St. in Ypsilanti in 2015. However, Rion says Packard has outgrown its original home at 3174 Packard Rd. in Ann Arbor, where it first opened its doors in 1973. The main facility has become outdated, and Packard has begun to search for a new location, ideally still on Packard Road.

In addition to a new location, the center plans to implement new programs, such as health and wellness services, in the future.

“We want to build on the things we’ve done for 46 years – to take care of people and to offer comprehensive care for folks,” Rion says.

Emily Benda is a freelance writer based in Ann Arbor. You can contact her at emily@emilybenda.com. All photos by Doug Coombe.

The post Tackling the Opioid Epidemic with Medication-Assisted Treatment appeared first on Packard Health.

Packard Health has been selected as a featured charity in the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon on Sunday March 24, 2019. Staff, board members and friends are joining the event action. Hats off and a jump for joy to Epic Races for this opportunity to share Packard’s vision of health care for all.

MORE than a marathon …There’s also a half marathon, 10K and a 5K that are walker-friendly.

MORE than a marathon … It’s an opportunity to support Packard Health!

Want to help?  Here’s how:

• REGISTER to run or walk
  • Select Packard Health as your charity, donate $1 or more and Epic Races donates an additional $3 to Packard Health
  • If you want to really run with it, click the box to become a fundraiser and get friends to contribute
• DONATE – All donations go to support Packard Health as needed.
  • Make a donation to Packard Health HERE
  • Check out our teams below:

Health Care for Everyone – Donar

For 46 years Packard Health has opened our doors and reached out to the most vulnerable and under-served in our community. Primary and mental health care are integrated under one roof, with an array of supportive services as well, creating wrap-around care for patients with complex medical conditions and complicated lives. Dr. Kaila Queen is running the 5K. ” I’m not fast, but I’m all in on this community event!”

Addiction Treatment Services – Donar

In Washtenaw County there were 68 opioid related deaths in 2018, more than one a week. Emergency room admissions due to opioid misuse climb higher and higher. Packard Health has stepped up to this crisis with a team of addiction experts, led by Dr. Ankoor Soni and Dr. Sara Bur. Based on the latest models of care, Packard Health’s Medication Assisted Treatment program is making a difference in troubled lives. We are excited about our new partnership with the Emergency Department at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

Prenatal Care – Donar

Everyone deserves a successful start in life! Everyone wants a pregnancy that is as enjoyable and routine as possible. With our Packard’s Prenatal Program, mothers-to-be enjoy the ease of prenatal appointments at our 3 locations, and delivery at state-of-the-art University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. Packard Health specializes in care for all ages and warmly welcomes newborns to our family of care.

Supportive Services – Donar

Packard Health supports our patients with services that help remove barriers to health and well being. We offer assistance with food, transportation, and medication expense. We connect patients with community resources as well as state and federal aid. We know all about health care insurance and are certified enrollment specialists. Katie Marquez, Patient Advocate Coordinator, meets with families in need every day and sees the difference these services make. “I’m really excited to be participating in the A2 Marathon event!”

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Strong relationships are the cornerstone at Packard Health – patient, provider, and therapist are a team, and communication and collaboration are key. For our patients, the Packard Care team model is a proven winner. For those with complex medical needs and complicated lives, it is often life-changing.

In 2018 Packard Health Integrated Care rose to the next level with the addition of our Addiction Treatment Services team. We’ve gathered an exceptional group of trained and experienced addiction specialists. Led by Assistant Medical Director of Addiction Services, Sarah Bur, MD, the team works seamlessly with our primary and mental health care staff. Integrated care that includes addiction treatment options has never been more urgent – in Washtenaw County one resident overdoses on opioids every day, and one resident dies of overdose every week.

45 years ago Packard Health was a pioneer in integrated health care. Today we are still at it, working that model that has improved so many lives.

I want to take this opportunity to personally and professionally commend our caregivers. Their commitment is the key to Packard Care. Together with our patients, we are a team, and that’s what integrated health care is about.

Raymond Rion, MD

Director Ejecutivo

The post Packard Health Integrated Care 2.0 appeared first on Packard Health.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Sarah Bur to our staff as Assistant Medical Director of Addiction Services. She has gained a variety of experiences in treating addiction through working in office-based opioid treatment, an intensive outpatient program, and a methadone program. Dr. Bur is particularly interested in harm reduction and collaboration with behavioral health in the care of patients with addiction. Read more here »

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