For the past year, we’ve been trying to protect our physical health: social distancing and staying indoors to reduce the spread of COVID-19. That’s put extra strain on the mental health of many, but Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital has stepped up to help Washington back on track.

“The pandemic has increased the need for mental health resources, but it’s also made our services much more accessible because patients are more willing to try online treatment,” says Julian Thompson BSN RN MHP, Director of Business Development Referral Relations at Smokey Point. “In 2020 we helped 214 people through our telehealth program, and in 2021 we expect to be able to double that. For people in places like Whidbey Island or San Juan County, it’s an amazing resource. We’re able to help patients in the comfort of their own homes, so they don’t have to drive hours to access services.”

Care for your mental health, at home

If you or someone you love needs help, Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital offers a continuum of care — everything from 24 hour inpatient programs to intensive outpatient programs that fit around your career and family obligations. Assessments are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 844-202-5555 to speak with intake staff.

Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital’s Intensive Outpatient Program is six weeks, offered remotely through Zoom. The program helps individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The following programs are included:

• Group therapy: Morning Group from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or Evening Group from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sessions run five days a week for the first two weeks, then three days a week for the last four weeks. “When you’re struggling it often feels like you’re going through it alone, and the pandemic has made isolation even worse. Virtual group therapy connects patients with other people who are going through the same thing, and that can be a powerful part of healing,” Thompson says.
• One-on-one meetings with a psychiatric provider: You’ll meet virtually, 1:1 with a psychiatric provider to manage medication.
• Multi-disciplinary treatment planning: A team of psychiatric professionals will create a patient-centered treatment plan to help you develop healthier coping strategies.

Through the Intensive Outpatient Program, you’ll learn core skills like distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.

Talk to your doctor or therapist to find out if Intensive Outpatient therapy is right for you, or call 844-202-5555. The Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital intake department is staffed with certified Mental Health Professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more at smokeypointbehavioralhospital.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.