The pandemic has impacted those with mental illness. This Lee’s Summit group helps
From unemployment to isolation, the pandemic has had a huge impact on those who struggle with mental illness. Lee’s Summit residents who are showing increased levels of depression and anxiety can turn to ReDiscover, a local mental health center, for help.
“What we’re seeing is an increased need for therapy. We’re also seeing that people have been cut off from services elsewhere because of COVID,” said Shannon Moss, clinical director for access, intake, outreach and crisis. “Certain practices have had to shut down. There was a really hard impact to mental health and to providers as a result of COVID.”
That assistance might be helping people get their medication or other types of services.
The nonprofit has two Lee’s Summit locations: 1555 N.E. Rice Road and 901 N.E. Independence Ave. It’s in the process of a phased reopening of its physical locations, but since March, the center has relied heavily on telehealth services.
For clients who really need face-to-face contact, such as those in treatment for suicidal thoughts or actions, ReDiscover has sent out people to talk either socially distanced on driveways or on a phone or laptop while standing outside a window.
“The close proximity of that person standing there makes them feel safer, gives them more stability,” said Tricia Hicklin-Bohle, vice president of marketing and development. “It’s more one-on-one if they see a face and not just a computer screen.”
The center, which also operates locations in Kansas City and Raytown, offers numerous programs for all ages, including youth and adolescent substance abuse treatment, children’s services, a state Show Me Zero Suicide initiative for young adults, community psychiatric rehabilitation, adult drug and alcohol abuse treatment and integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders.
It has had a location in Lee’s Summit since its founding 51 years ago.
Hicklin-Bohle said many clients in the Lee’s Summit centers are kids dealing with bullying, depression or suicidal feelings. Approximately 40% of their clients are age 20 and younger.
Other locations deal more with drug addiction, overdoses, chronic mental illness and homelessness.
ReDiscover’s focus is on holistic treatment, which means staff members look at all parts of a person’s life that might contribute to mental health issues. That can include activities outside the home, daily schedules and even diet.
“We’re looking at their daily lives to make sure they have the things and surroundings around them to make their mental wellness be awesome,” Hicklin-Bohle said.
La Tisha Cooper, a certified peer specialist, knows the effect of that approach firsthand. Before she worked for ReDiscover, she was a client. After a period of severe mental distress and suicidal thoughts following the death of her husband, she participated in the outpatient program.
“I really wasn’t invested in it,” Cooper said.
Although Cooper would sign up for outings, often she wouldn’t show up. That changed when a ReDiscover staffer took notice of her pattern.
“She said I’m going to put you down for this outing, and I really think you should go. And that was very monumental for me, because this woman did not know me from Eve,” Cooper said. “But she knew enough, being the clinician that she was, to see that this person is isolating and they really need to get out. And that is what made me really start trusting ReDiscover.”
Cooper said she appreciates the respect both clients and staff get at ReDiscover.
“I was a little leery because I’m walking out the doors as a client and walking in as a co-worker. How are they going to view me?” Cooper said. “And it literally was that transformation, but not so much because they’re already giving that respect to the clients.”
Next on ReDiscover’s to-do list is a behavioral health urgent care center in Raytown that will also serve Lee’s Summit. The idea is provide mental health services to fill in the gap where people may have to wait weeks before they can connect with a long-term provider.
It’s been in the works for a while but the pandemic has delayed its opening. Moss said the plan now is to have it open before the end of the year. When it does open, it will provide services in the afternoon and early evening, as well as on the weekends.
ReDiscover is providing local support for the national Disaster Distress Helpline, (800-985-5990), for those who have mental health issues due to the pandemic. ReDiscover’s own crisis hotline is 888-279-8188.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 7:00 AM.