Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte, a facility of Carolinas Medical Center, houses the only psychiatric emergency department in the region – and one of only a few in the country. Our nationally recognized virtual Behavioral Health platforms bring telepsychiatry into primary care and emergency department settings for improved patient care and outcomes.
TRANSFORMING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
One in four Americans experiences a mental health issue. No one should be alone on the journey to recovery from a mental illness or substance use disorder. Atrium Health believes people seeking help for mental illness or substance use disorders should feel empowered and supported – not ashamed or embarrassed. There has never been a greater demand for access to behavioral health and substance abuse services.
ATRIUM HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19:
The CDC reported a national increase of depression and anxiety symptoms from 8% in 2019 to 30% in 2020, along with a 13% rise in new or increased substance use. In addition, people who have had COVID-19 experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than those who haven’t had it. The CDC also recently reported that compared to 2019, the proportion of mental health-related visits for children aged 5–11 years old and 12–17 years old increased roughly 24% and 31%, respectively. Pediatric mental health-related emergency department visits increased and have remained elevated throughout the pandemic. The Behavioral Health Service Line has responded to this increased demand with innovative and collaborative approaches, increasing our investments by expanding our virtual and integrative programs including school-based teletherapy; virtual therapy and medication management for Atrium Health teammates; and accelerated expansion of behavioral health integration into primary care, OB, and pediatric service lines.
GIVING TO THE CAROLINAS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVANCEMENT FUND
With support from philanthropy, Atrium Health – which serves as the safety net provider for behavioral health services in the region – is addressing our community mental health and substance abuse needs. From funding behavioral health integration in primary care to virtual care and peripartum depression programs, philanthropy continues to make a tremendous impact.
As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Atrium Health Behavioral Health relies on philanthropic support to sustain and enhance innovative programs and services for its adult and adolescent patients through the Carolinas Behavioral Health Advancement Fund, which is dedicated to the overall advancement of Behavioral Health across the Atrium Health enterprise. This fund supports ongoing facility improvements, new treatment advances, as well as educational and clinical research programs for Atrium Health Behavioral Health facilities. Whether you are a grateful patient, family member, or simply an advocate for access to behavioral health care, you can make a difference today!
Learn More about how philanthropy is making a difference: