Jackie Concepcion, vice president of health center operations at Union Community Care, located on the Garden Spot Village campus, 435 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, acknowledges that COVID-19 brought with it factors that have dramatically increased the incidence of mental health issues, especially adolescents with problems including depression.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Union has major service lines that include medical, dental, behavioral health, and social services, with behavioral health functioning as part of an integrated model. "Research has demonstrated that the initial conversations people have about mental health issues happen at a medical appointment," noted Concepcion. "(A patient will) come in for something else, but say to provider, 'By the way, I have been feeling like this,'" she explained. "That's a natural transition for a provider to do a warm hand-off to a behavioral health consultant."

That hand-off will include referral to a master's -evel behavioral health consultant who may be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or in training to reach that level. "They assess that patient and they can do therapy with them," said Concepcion, who added if a patient is in need of psychiatric services and medications, two nurse practitioners who specialize in psychiatry can help. Patients may also be referred to community resources, but those individuals may not be located in New Holland. "The current LCSW comes once a week, but she can do tele-med (appointments) as well if the patient can't come the day she is here," said Concepcion, who noted that for some patients, lack of transportation is a barrier. "Having the ability to do tele-med can really help," she said.

Concepcion pointed out that connecting medical health with behavioral health can be beneficial for a number of reasons. "A lot of physical symptoms come out of behavioral health needs," she said. "It's a whole-care approach," she added, noting that Union looks beyond physical and psychological symptoms. "A lot of patients with behavioral health needs have social deterrents of health," she explained, noting that housing issues, financial issues, and food insecurity may be among these. "We include social workers and community health workers in whatever needs the patient has," she said. "Having collaboration between clinician, behavioral health, and social work really wraps services around that patient to help them get better."

Concepcion stated that Union accepts all insurance plans. "Anybody can come here," she pointed out. "We have a sliding fee for those who are uninsured." Individuals and families may be connected to a social worker to learn what programs they qualify for. "(Social workers) will help them through the process of applying," said Concepcion, who encourages those who are uninsured to call to learn more. "Part of being a FQHC is that we are able to offer a discounted rate based on family size and income, which may be as low as 25%."

Readers who would like to know more may visit https://unioncommunitycare.org/locations/south-kinzer-ave or call 717-351-2400.