Physical and Mental Health providers have used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and found it to be a safe and efficient way to “see” patients while minimizing exposure to the virus. But they’ve been concerned this tool would disappear once the Emergency Orders expired.

HB 1623, which has passed both the New Hampshire House and the Senate, removes that fear. It enables reimbursement parity and allows providers to continue billing Medicaid and commercial insurers the same rate as they would for a face-to-face visit. The bill includes video, audio, or combinations of both and covers all areas on health care, including primary care, dentists, mental health, behavioral health, substance use disorders, dietitians, and home monitoring services.

Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) has utilized telehealth for day-to-day case management and it is helping greatly to keep in touch with our clients, who might have transportation or childcare issues that would prevent them from keeping their appointments. Most of our psychiatry staff is doing telehealth visits, also.

“Telehealth is not a replacement for all services,” said Jay Couture, President & CEO of SMHC. “But it is making a difference right now and we can see it moving forward, for clients who do not have access, or maybe not enough data for video, they can be reached using the telephone.”

Read the full story of this new policy news here!

Here in New Hampshire, mental health professionals are concerned about the impact that the pandemic will have on a health care system that is already stretched thin. Because of that, many providers in New Hampshire are preparing for an influx of new patients, and trying to improve the way that the state’s medical system delivers mental health care. What is the answer to immediately support the rise in demand – telehealth. Read the case for telehealth remaining in the Granite State here. 

You can also watch the June 15th NH Community Behavioral Health Association’s Press Conference in support of the passage of the state’s telehealth bill here.

Health care workers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 face both physical and mental health risks. Hospitals and other health care facilities, such as Seacoast Mental Health Care Inc, recognize this and are taking steps to care for the caregivers. Read how we and other organizations in the greater Seacoast New Hampshire area are supporting our staff’s mental wellbeing. Read the entire article here.

Children are facing not only the stress of remote learning and social isolation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but also a week of social unrest across the country. In the midst of all this uncertainty and loss, how are they handling the turmoil? Listen to an engaging discussing about childrens’ mental health, how we can address their concerns and what the long-term impacts might be.

Hear the NHPR discussion here. 

COVID-19 has presented new challenges for people seeking substance use disorder treatment and mental health services. NH PBS’s show THE STATE WE’RE IN, explored new practices to keep practitioners and people seeking treatment and recovery connected.

Join Melonie Penda of PSBS, Carol Furlong of Eliot Hospital, Ken Norton of NAMINH and our CEO Jay Couture for an important discussion here.

n the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are on the front lines of caring for patients, and at Seacoast Mental Health Center, the mental health aspects of the virus are their concern as they try to deal with that fallout and still safely take care of their own patients.

Three nurses – Christopher Bashaw, Heidi Burbank and Jane Neville – talk about what it’s like. Most of the SMHC staff therapists and doctors are working remotely, through telemedicine, but the nurses are still seeing their patients. Please read here about our incredible nursing staff!

New Hampshire mental health workers are reminding seniors there are resources available to help them as they’re being told to isolate themselves to protect against COVID-19. People over age 60 are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus, so they’re being asked to stay away from family and friends. A population that is often already isolated could be feeling left behind.

In response, mental health centers are connecting people with services through the REAP program, which stands for referral, education, assistance and prevention. The program has been around for decades, but its purpose is highlighted in this time of crisis.  Please read more here about REAP and how to help our seniors.

Seacoast Mental Health Center’s Director of Children & Family Services department, Jodie Lubarsky, talks with Seacoast Online about the “new normal” around working, parenting, educating and living together – all the time – during COVID19. No one is alone in these complexities and feeling unsure – and often overwhelmed. Read the article in full here –  Jodie Lubarsky Interviewed Seacoast online COVID19 parenting

NHPR’s The Exchange hosted a discussion about NH’s mental health system’s adjustment to COVID-19. They welcomed Jay Couture –   President and CEO of Seacoast Mental Health Center and president of the N.H. Community Behavioral Health Association, Jessica LaChance – Director of the mobile crisis response team for the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester and Ken Norton – Executive Director of NAMI-NH the New Hampshire chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

For Granite Staters struggling with mental illness — and those caring for them — fears about COVID-19 have added layers of anxiety. Telemedecine can help but not in all cases, and protective gear needed for in-home visits is scarce.  Community mental health centers, considered essential services, remain open around the state, with as many services as possible being provided remotely. But case managers must still at times drive patients to get their prescribed injections, and mobile crisis team members must respond in person in crisis. We talk with those managing these situations, trying to help while also keeping themselves safe.

Listen to the entire conversation here

Jay Couture, President & CEO of Seacoast Mental Health Center, wrote an insightful Op Ed article for the New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association (NHCBHA). Seacoast Mental Health Center, along with its nine other sister community mental health centers across the state, comprise the NHCBHA.  Please read Ms Couture’s Op Ed here.

We are thrilled to work with Connections Peer Support Center to offer an upcoming Wellness Recovery Action Plan class to help individuals develop a personalized plan to deal with mental health issues when they arise. The 8-week class starts January 20th and runs on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at our Exeter office at 30 Magnolia Lane.

Call Connections or our office at 603-772-2710 for info. Please read greater information about the class in this article.

Portsmouth Living magazine published an article by Seacoast Mental Health Center’s VP of Community Relations regarding how to manage some of the possible added stress and anxiety around the holiday season.  A report from the Family Caregiver Alliance found that 40%-70% of caregivers have symptoms of depression and loneliness.  Read five concrete ways to care for yourself … and therefore others.

Read the full Portsmouth Living article here.

Mental Health is not always about a clear cut diagnosis. It also involves developing resilience for every day life events and possible trauma. Our Director of Children & Family Services is interviewed regarding the possible impact of today’s drills and how to talk with your child.

Read the story on Fosters here.

We were honored to award Patrick Dowling this year’s Erik Cogswell Memorial Award.  We are equally grateful to the press for choosing to highlight the important work that many of us in the state are accomplishing, especially Mr. Dowling and Senator Tom Sherman.

Please read the full article in Fosters here.