HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – For Mental Health Awareness Month, two physician assistants are breaking down barriers to mental health care by opening Alabama’s first psychiatric urgent care, offering same-day appointments and eliminating the weeks-long wait for treatment.
For this episode of This Month Matters, digital host Tatyana White sat down with Priya Patel and Julia Klug, co-founders of Psychiatric Urgent Care of Huntsville.
“We realized there’s a huge need in the community for timely access. It’s one of the biggest barriers there is in mental health care,” Patel said. “That’s why we created the urgent care, because it can take weeks to months to get an appointment with a psychiatrist.”
Patel said the average wait time to get in with a psychiatrist in North Alabama is six to eight weeks.
“Six to eight weeks can make a huge difference in a person’s life,” Patel said.
Klug said she has seen people suffer for much longer before seeking help.
“I think one of the things I’ve seen over the years is so many people that have actually suffered for so much longer before they came to get help,” Klug said. “So starting the urgent care, we just hope it’s a resource where people can come that same day, like, the second they get the motivation to get help, they have the ability to walk in and get treatment that same day.”
How it works
The facility is located in a house, creating a relaxed and non-clinical environment.
“You walk in and fill out some paperwork, you see a psychiatrist, you get medication or therapy recommendations, and you’re usually out within an hour,” Patel said.
Patel said patients get direct access to a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health disorders.
“When you break your arm, you’re not going to wait weeks to months to get seen,” Patel said. “And that is the same thing with mental health. Mental health affects every aspect of your life, at home, work environment, everything.”
The facility treats patients ages 8 and up and handles a wide variety of mental health concerns, including severe anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, substance abuse, and medication refills.
“It doesn’t have to be an absolute urgent situation, but we treat a wide variety of things,” Patel said.
“So it’s basically, we’re just having a conversation, and that’s how we like to keep it. We want it to be a welcoming environment,” Patel said. “Our goal is to make it a comfortable situation where people can walk in and just have a conversation about what’s going on. It’s not like you’re going to be filling out a list of symptoms or anything. We’re just going to have a conversation.”
Telemedicine expands access
Psychiatric Urgent Care of Huntsville now offers telemedicine for anyone in Alabama.
“One thing we’re really excited about is we are offering telemedicine now, so anyone in the state of Alabama is able to get, same day, honestly, same hour, help,” Klug said. “So, whether you’re here in Huntsville, whether you’re down in Dothan, Enterprise, Mobile, wherever you are, you can call us or log on to our website and book an appointment. We have appointments within the hour, and we can see you virtually and get you the medications and the help you need.”
Klug said the telemedicine option is very helpful for people in rural areas.
“In Huntsville, we’re privileged that we do have a lot of resources, but even 20, 30 minutes outside of here, there’s a lot of very rural towns that don’t have psychiatrists locally,” Klug said.
The facility is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Psychiatric Urgent Care of Huntsville currently operates on a cash-pay basis with one flat rate, but they provide a super bill that patients can submit to their insurance for potential reimbursement.
A message for Mental Health Awareness Month
Patel and Klug emphasized the importance of reducing stigma around mental health.
“When it comes to mental health, there is a big stigma around it, and that’s the goal of Mental Health Awareness Month is to bring awareness to that,” Patel said. “This is the month to check in on yourself or check in on a loved one that might be struggling, and to know that help is here and it is available same day with us at Psychiatric Urgent Care.”
Klug said mental health issues affect about 20% of people, and Alabama’s suicide rates are higher than the national average.
“I just think it affects so many people and we need to stop turning a blind eye to it,” Klug said.
Klug said one of the most important messages is that people are not alone.
“We see a lot of maybe women that struggle with postpartum depression or anxiety, where people feel like I’m the only one that’s ever felt this way. Sometimes they don’t even reach out to their closest friends or family,” Klug said. “So I think that’s what I would say is, you’re definitely not alone. There’s a lot of people walking in the grocery store with you that have probably felt the same way.”
Klug also emphasized that everything discussed at the facility is confidential.
“Everything that happens in our office is confidential. I always say we’re not your mom or dad. We’re not here to get you in trouble. So definitely don’t let that be a barrier,” Klug said. “People have dealt with this, and we will definitely make you feel heard and welcome and get you on the right path.”
To learn more about Psychiatric Urgent Care of Huntsville, visit the website and Facebook page.
To hear more about Psychiatric Urgent Care of Huntsville, the resources they offer, and mental health awareness, the full interview can be viewed at the top of this page.
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