SEARHC - What's New - SEARHC is among the nation's leaders in telebehavioral health

SEARHC is among the nation's leaders in telebehavioral health

The SEARHC telebehavioral health program has become a model for other programs around the nation.

In July, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt came to Alaska for a demonstration of the SEARHC telebehavioral health program. Telebehavioral health uses distance delivery videoconferencing technology to link a patient in one community with a provider in another. The SEARHC telebehavioral health program provides confidential psychiatric, behavioral health and substance abuse services to patients in ten remote communities -- Angoon, Haines, Hydaburg, Juneau, Kake, Klawock, Klukwan, Pelican, Petersburg and Thorne Bay -- with management from the SEARHC Haa Toowóo Náakw Hít Behavioral Health Clinic in Sitka.

"We do more telebehavioral health than any other program in the state," SEARHC Director of Behavioral Health Pat Hefley said, adding that SEARHC was one of the first organizations in Alaska to develop a program. Pat said the program "is very effective and it's much more efficient for people living in remote communities." It also provides access to advanced providers.

During his recent visit to Juneau, Sec. Leavitt met with a patient from Kake using the telebehavioral health system. The Secretary then wrote in his blog that the patient appreciated the extra confidentiality that came from being able to talk to someone from outside her community. "She said, 'In a small village like where I live, it is impossible to talk with anybody without others knowing your problems. Being able to do it this way gives me the comfort I need to feel safe.'"

Rand West, the director of Haa Toowóo Náakw Hít and coordinator of the telebehavioral health program, said patients appreciate not having to leave their families and take time off work to travel for an appointment.

"Their support network is at home," added Carolyn Lemmon, the acting director of the SEARHC Community Family Services Program. "They have a provider in the village, a Community Family Services Worker, who is a known person they can keep in touch with. The clients feel better and it's easier for them."

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