PHOENIX — A new mental health center is opening in Phoenix in hopes of treating first responders who may need help.
The Mental Health Center of America opened its doors in early January and hopes to be a one-stop-shop for mental health diagnosis and treatment.
MHCA will care for people during mental health-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, obsessive thoughts, self-harm, impulsive behavior, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and more.
Dr. Soffia Palsdottir, chief psychologist at MHCA, tells ABC15 that like any physical injury to a first responder, there can be trauma to the brain, “that doesn’t mean they’re sick, or weak, or can’t do anything.” “. their job, it just means they need to take care of this injury to prevent it from becoming a full-blown health problem.”
In addition to treating first responders, the MHCA will be open to the public and staffed by psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, physician assistants and licensed professional counselors.
“MHCA fills a void in the field of mental health. Too many people begin their mental health journey only to feel overwhelmed and burned out by our current mental health system. MHCA combines a wide variety of treatment options and health care providers in one place to ensure that the patient receives the most comprehensive and accurate mental health care possible,” said Dr. Mona Amini, MHCA psychiatrist.
Services/treatments provided by MHCA include:
• Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation
• Individual Counseling
• Neurofeedback
• Psychotherapy
• Psychiatric Services
• Recipe management
• Therapeutics such as cryogenic treatments, cold baths, infrared sauna and hyperbaric oxygen treatment
• Services such as meditation room and breathing room
The outpatient mental health center hopes to transform the field of mental health in Arizona, including barriers such as cost.
MHCA leaders say they will accept health insurance to help with costs associated with mental health care.
Learn more, Click here.
the club 100 in Arizona has also focused on the mental health of first responders. They have provided around 82 law enforcement agencies with an app that can connect first responders with therapists and resources near them.
The Fireproof and Bulletproof apps allow a first responder to seek help anonymously without having to go directly through your agency.
The 100 Club, a non-profit organization, pays 100% of the costs associated with running this resource.
ABC15 is told that the Arizona Department of Public Safety is the largest agency they work with.
Angela Harrolle of the 100 Club said they don’t track the number of individual subscribers to the services, “we intentionally anonymize this data so that we can protect and keep the information confidential for those seeking help.”
The data helps agencies understand what types of help or assistance may be needed in a department, such as substance abuse, gambling, or marital problems at home.
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