Big Sandy Medical Center awarded $125K grant

By Jessica Ophus

According to KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization, Montanans have a higher rate of anxiety and depressive disorders than the natational average. If that is not concerning enough, Montana is also listed as a mental health care shortage area.

To do our part to bridge the gap for some of the 27,000 people served by the Big Sandy Clinic every year, an Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) Program will be launched at the BSMC Rural Health Clinic. With the help of a $125,000 2-year grant awarded from the Montana Healthcare Foundation.

BSMC will be able to recruit an RN Care Coordinator as well as a Part-Time Therapist to work alongside Cheyenne Feltz, the clinic’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Together, these three individuals, along with the rest of the staff at BSMC, will work as a team to better support our patients who are at risk for mental health concerns. From ensuring follow up appointments are made, to managing medications, to tending to out-of-facility referrals, those receiving care for their mental health at BSMC will be followed closely and offered more support, resources, and follow-up to be successful in meeting their mental health goals.

Funding will not only be used to support the recruitment and retention of those two new staff members, but also for staff training and the development of mental health screening protocols in the facility and building a sustainable framework for ongoing mental health care within the facility. Since 1965, BSMC has evolved to meet the needs of the community it serves. It is becoming more and more clear that mental health support is a true need in the community and your home town Medical Center is ready to support you.