3 minute read
Behavioral Health Solutions
PRIORITIZING MENTAL WELLNESS IN TETON COUNTY
Every three years, Teton County Public Health and local partners conduct a health needs assessment to understand community concerns and identify essential resources. Recent assessments have identified a need for improved access to mental health care, especially for preventative and diagnostic services. St. John’s Health has made these findings a priority, implementing new strategies aligned with its 2024 Strategic Plan.
RECRUITMENT OF AN ADULT PSYCHIATRIST
In 2018, St. John’s Health responded to the community’s needs by recruiting child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Nils Westfall. In 2023 alone, 340 children received treatment, and 87 avoided emergency room visits due to direct outpatient care access.
Teton County has now identified a critical need for an adult psychiatrist. Adding an adult psychiatrist will improve symptom relief, enhance functioning, and reduce costly hospitalizations through accessible outpatient care—goals that align with St. John’s Health’s 2024 Strategic Plan and Teton Behavioral Health Alliance objectives. Grant funding from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole has enabled St. John’s Health to recruit a physician, with plans to onboard in 2025. The adult psychiatrist is projected to manage over 1,800 patient visits in the first year, growing to 2,270 visits over five years, and will increase accessibility for all patient and payor types, including non-English speakers through the Language Line.
CANCER SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM
St. John’s Health’s Cancer Survivorship Program supports patients during and after treatment, focusing on their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Through wellness workshops, nutritional guidance, and psychological support, the program helps survivors navigate each phase of recovery, fostering a sense of community and empowering them to thrive. The program’s behavioral health components are supported by two licensed social workers within the Oncology Department and oncology psychologist Bufkin Moore.
POSTPARTUM MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
The Postpartum Mental Health Program offers essential support to new parents facing emotional challenges after childbirth, addressing the widespread impact of postpartum depression and anxiety. Through counseling, support groups, and educational workshops, the program provides a safe space for parents to share experiences and receive professional guidance, promoting resilience and wellness. Community advocate Deirdre Griffith’s leadership helped bring this initiative to fruition.
EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH
Recognizing the importance of mental wellness for healthcare staff, St. John’s Health Foundation funds unlimited behavioral health sessions for employees with their preferred provider. In FY24, St. John’s Health employees accessed $145,000 in mental health resources.
NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ENDOWMENT
The Francis and Miranda Childress Foundation has generously seed-funded a Behavioral Health Endowment at St. John’s Health Foundation. The goal of this endowment is to offset the high cost of providing psychiatry and counseling services required to meet community need. St. John’s Health will continue to prioritize these services, and with the support of a Behavioral Health Endowment, will remain committed to providing access in the region.
Please call 307.739.7512 for more information about the Behavioral Health Endowment.
