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OPINION: Need a therapist for your child? Good luck finding one

The Beacon-News - 4/28/2022

Apr. 28—This one got personal.

I already was aware of the alarming increase in mental health needs among kids and adults since the pandemic began. And yes, I've written about — or at least mentioned — how critical those issues have become on several occasions over the last two years.

But it wasn't until the problem hit my own family that I realized just how critical.

When a young grandchild started exhibiting significant anxiety problems, the parents spent days trying to get a counselor to return their calls. And the few who did get back to them reported long waiting lists that only led to more frustration, and yes, there were tears.

If you believe the experts, few families in our communities have not been emotionally impacted by the turmoil COVID-19 has created. As therapists and other experts have affirmed, the fear, uncertainty and isolation have affected all ages, at all levels of income and in all professions which in turn has led to more stress, more depression, more anxiety and more desperate calls going to over-booked counseling services.

Experts I spoke to used words like "weakening" and "collapsing" when describing the health care system's response to this mental health crisis.

But it is particularly "frightening and overwhelming" to parents, said Geneva psychologist Nicole Parmelee, who feel like "you've just won the lottery" if you can even book an appointment for your child.

Try this number on for size: Family Counseling Services of Aurora is fluctuating between 150 and 300 on its waiting list, with priority going to hospital discharges and those in emergency crisis.

Nonprofit agencies like Family Counseling Services are getting hit particularly hard because the rapid growth in demand for mental health services, coupled with the unusual growth in private practices, which pay more, is making it hard for agencies like his to compete, said Executive Director Eric Ward.

So these counseling services are experiencing never-before-seen turnover of clinical staffs that "lead to unheard of challenges" trying to meet the needs in the community, which Ward points out "is our mission and reason for existing."

When I checked in with (the newly-named) Ascension Mercy medical center in Aurora, I was not surprised to hear its behavioral health specialists have seen a large increase in kids, especially under the age of 12, who are displaying more anxiety and acting-out that includes aggressive behavior.

The limited amount of resources has, indeed, created a backlog in treatments, according to Lisa Raciak, Mercy's director of social services. Unfortunately with children, she added, "early diagnosis is key."

To help meet the demand, the hospital recently opened up a child-specific unit just for those under 12. Mercy also offers intake assessments 24/7, with walk-ins welcome seven days a week, said Raciak. And in addition to its own outpatient program, the hospital works closely with other clinics and schools, which also are experiencing dire counseling shortages.

Offering these wraparound services, she said, means the staff has to "be creative when we refer people" because "when someone is in crisis, there is no room to tell them they have to wait three months for help."

That means Mercy's specialists, like all counseling services, are utilizing online sessions more than ever. And "we are spending more time" calling multiple places for referrals. And that's OK, Raciak added, because "families who are not used to navigating the system and are already under a tremendous amount of stress can get easily overwhelmed.

"Which is where we can step in to help."

And help is desperately needed, say the experts. Reports indicate Illinois currently has only 14 behavioral health care professionals for every 10,000 residents, far below the national average. Which is why earlier this year, Springfield stepped up to address this shortage by passing a law that included regulatory changes streamlining the process for counseling licenses.

Those I reached out to about this shortage of counselors tell me the only positive coming out of the crisis is that the stigma long associated with mental health has been reduced.

"Communities are finally valuing mental health care," says Ward, "as a critical component of overall health."

My grandchild, thankfully, finally got an appointment. Mom actually broke out crying when the counselor — who noted she's one of only a few still taking new patients — picked up the phone.

"The bad part is that the infrastructure of the community mental health system is not prepared for such a sudden influx of people needing care," Ward insisted. "We and other providers are growing as rapidly as we can. But without outside fiscal help, it isn't fast enough."

dcrosby@tribpub.com

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