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Mental- and behavioral-health services are now part of mix of wellness resources at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which already has a presence at the facility, has added 13 new psychologists, psychiatrists and master’s-degree-level psychotherapists who practice in 14 offices and two group rooms on the second floor.
“We’re trying to expand the reach across central Ohio so people can access our services,” said clinical lead Tonya Schmauder, a psychiatric counselor and specialist in women’s behavioral health.
Although planning to locate services to the Heit Center offices had begun prior to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, psychological fallout from isolation, uncertainty and worry over loved ones have caused many people to seek counseling, Schmauder said.
“Because of COVID, people are more aware of their mental-health needs,” she said. “I think there is an increased need for services because people are aware of their new needs.”
The initiative is being led by Kristin Carpenter, who is in the Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health.
Mental-health professionals are seeing patients ages 15 and older.
Ohio State Wexner already operates a workout facility and offers physical therapy at the center. Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers orthopedics and physical therapy.
The Heit Center, at 150 W. Main St., is known as a community-minded public facility that offers a wide variety of classes, community programs and events, such as cooking demonstrations, dietary advice, a food pantry, exercise classes and seasonal hikes.
Those amenities can be helpful for those seeking counseling from Ohio State professionals, said Angela Douglas, executive director of Healthy New Albany.
“Sharing those resources is critical,” Douglas said.
Heit, whose work led to the founding of Healthy New Albany and was its founding executive director, said he is pleased with Ohio State’s commitment to mental-health services at the site.
“It is a welcome opportunity and one in which it makes it easier to incorporate our Healthy New Albany programs and services,” he said.
@ThisWeekGary
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany welcomes Ohio State mental-health services
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