OSF HealthCare Newsroom

OSF Urbana behavioral health expansion open to patients

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:12:29 -0500

Central Illinois has more access to mental health treatment now that the OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center – Urbana renovation and expansion of inpatient behavioral health services is open.

Building on 65 years of caring for inpatient behavioral health patients in Urbana, the new units offer inpatient treatment for individuals who need immediate help or are in a state of crisis. Spanning multiple floors in the hospital, the renovation and service expansion includes specialized treatment programs for young adult patients ages 18-26 and senior patients ages 55 and older. A detoxification program will soon be available for patients who need a safe environment to withdraw from substances.

OSF Sacred Heart – Urbana, the area’s only adult inpatient behavioral health hospital, will offer 65 beds dedicated to mental health treatment.

Updates to the behavioral health expansion at OSF Sacred Heart – Urbana include:

40 private inpatient behavioral health beds
25 inpatient beds for medical detoxification or other conditions, opening late 2026
State-of-the-art facilities for treatment with natural light and soothing colors
Private rooms with multiple safety components, designed for behavioral health needs
Specialized training for physicians, nurses, techs and other caregivers
Treatment focused on young adults and senior populations, allowing for peer support and group therapy
Outpatient behavioral health services available locally through OSF Medical Group to ensure continuity of care in Urbana

“A year ago, we announced plans for the future of this hospital. The vision was expanded access to behavioral health services for all Illinois residents. After years of operating at capacity with one of the few remaining inpatient behavioral health units in the area, and with a statewide shortage of behavioral health beds, it was vital for our community to expand services,” said JT Barnhart, president of OSF Sacred Heart – Urbana.

“Following a year of transition, renovations and staff training, we are very proud to open our doors to more patients. These spaces are designed with our patients’ specialized needs in mind, providing resources unique to the area and will be a lifeline for people who need comprehensive care. We thank our Mission Partners and US HealthVest, a nationally known leader in behavioral health care that will oversee the new units, for their work on this endeavor," Barnhart said.

If you or a loved one are interested in learning about behavioral health care options, call OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center – Urbana at (217) 337-2000 or come to the hospital’s Emergency Department, which remains open 24/7.

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A vitamin D-lightful summer

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Summer is a time to soak up the sun. Sun rays are a primary source of vitamin D, an important tool for our body. Should you be concerned that you’re getting too much or too little vitamin D? Experts say if you know your body and take the usual sun precautions, you should have a worry-free summer.

Vitamin D basics

Maddy Draper, APRN, a health care provider at OSF OnCall, says vitamin D is a nutrient our body needs to produce calcium. Calcium helps create strong teeth and bones. So logically, not having enough vitamin D leads to brittle bones (a risk for greater injury after a fall), plus muscle aches and pains. Others with a vitamin D deficiency may not show symptoms. Either way, a provider may order a blood test to confirm the issue and then may advise you to take a supplement. This is usually in pill form and can be prescribed or bought over the counter by itself or as part of a multivitamin.

“Or the provider may just talk about vitamin D-rich foods first before starting a supplement,” Draper says. “High fat fishes, egg yolks, some cheeses and mushrooms.”

Draper adds that pregnant women, babies (especially babies who are breastfed), the elderly and people with darker skin often lack vitamin D.

On the flip side, Draper says it’s rare, but a person can get too much vitamin D. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations (feeling like your heartbeat is fast, pounding or otherwise irregular). You may also suffer kidney damage.

Summer sun

Here’s advice to commit to memory: Draper says research shows 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure three times a day can get you a healthy amount of vitamin D.

“You want to protect your skin while doing that,” Draper adds. “Sunscreen and protective clothing like a hat and sunglasses. There’s not any research showing that sunscreen or clothes will prevent you from getting the vitamin D you need.”

Experts say your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and you should reapply every two hours. Clothing should be lightweight and light colored (Dark colors absorb more sunlight, leading to quicker heat illness.) Stay hydrated, and watch for redness and blisters from sunburns and suspicious moles that may be skin cancer. See a provider right away if you have issues from getting too much sun.

Another thing to note: Experts say a specialized lamp can help with seasonal affective disorder, a mental health condition often seen in the winter due to decreased daylight. The same logic does not apply for vitamin D. You need natural, not artificial light to get the vitamin D you need.

The bottom line

Draper says most people don’t have to worry about getting too much or too little vitamin D.

“The average person will get it through the sun,” Draper says. “If you live in a cold and dark environment, you’re at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. People farther away from the equator are higher risk.”

If you have symptoms of too much or too little vitamin D or just have a concern, talk to your primary care provider.

Interview clips

Seeing a therapist: Tales vs. truths

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Mental health care starts with a first step, but that first step can be intimidating. Maybe you don’t want to let others know what you’re dealing with, or you’ve heard about friends having poor experiences while seeing a mental health provider.

Susan Hanson, DSW, LCPC, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare, is debunking misconceptions about therapy so you can feel comfortable and get the most out of your care.

Myth: Seeing a therapist is scary.

Fact: “People quickly learn it’s a safe place to talk about trials, tribulations and conflicts. It’s a very warm and inviting place,” Hanson says. She adds that even group therapy shouldn’t be intimidating. Group work can help build empathy and a sense of belonging. When you see others going through the same issues, you can often feel less alone.
Myth: My private health information is at risk of becoming public.

Fact: Hanson says this comes up often with her patients. They don’t want to talk about certain things with friends and family, but they’re also wary of talking with a provider. Hanson reassures that all health care providers abide by confidentiality and use software that keeps your information secure and private. She says the only reasons a provider must breach that confidentiality is if the person is a danger to harm themself or others or if there is evidence of child endangerment.
Myth: I’ll be back to normal after just a few sessions.

Fact: It’s usually not a quick fix, Hanson says. Therapy is something you need to buy into and stick with. Success is often seen after awareness, acceptance and internal structural changes in terms of emotional regulation and setting healthy boundaries.

“Some people can come in and have a quick fix. Maybe they’re nervous about moving. Or they have test-taking anxiety, and we can work through skills for that,” Hanson says. “But many other people have more complex trauma that might take longer to work through.”
Myth: Medication will fix me, and therapy is an easy way to get it.

Fact: Hanson stresses that mental health care providers are not medication dispensaries, nor will medication alone likely heal you.

“Sometimes medication is appropriate if there’s a biological basis [an issue innate within someone’s body, in other words], complex trauma or a diagnosis like ADHD or major depression. The medication can help enhance the talk therapy,” Hanson explains. She adds that a therapist can put a timeline on things. If, for example, anxiety symptoms aren’t improving after a few sessions, the provider could look into medications that could help.
Myth: I’ll see my therapist then go back to normal life.
Fact: Hanson says you have to put what you learn at therapy into practice. Common activities outside of a session include journaling, meditation, grounding exercises and finding a trusted person who you can go to if, for example, you’re having an anxiety attack. Some of Hanson’s patients have also benefitted from emotional support animals, she says.

“Reframing thoughts around a certain situation can be a good goal. Learn positive word choices. Rewrite the story around a situation,” Hanson says. Reducing anxiety is another big goal she’s seen with patients.

“Therapy is not a straight road. I like to see it like a dance. Two steps forward, one step back,” Hanson adds. “I also tell my clients that this bridge will take you halfway there. The rest, you walk alone. There’s only so much any one person can do for another person. We need to learn how to develop some of the skills outside of a therapy session.”

Learn more

Read more about mental and behavioral health care on the OSF HealthCare website. Mental health care at OSF includes providers like Hanson on the local level and the to-be-built Meadowview Behavioral Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, for people who need a higher level of care.

Interview clips

Trust, communication, bonding: The parent-teen relationship (part two)

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Author's note: this is part two of a multi-part series on the parent-teenager relationship. In the coming weeks, search the OSF Newsroom for Sara Bennett to find all the stories in this series.

What’s more delicate than a Fabergé egg? The parent-teenager relationship.

“Teenagers are working toward independence. That’s the good part. The hard part is that means they lean more toward their peer relationships,” says Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare. “It can leave parents feeling like they’re drifting apart. It can make parents feel like they’re not very important. And it can make the teenagers a little moodier. They might be taking risks they weren’t once taking. They might find peer relationships that are not very positive.

“All of that can feel really challenging for parents to navigate when it feels like your child is slipping through your fingers,” Bennett adds.

Never fear, mom, dad and other caregivers. Bennett has a checklist to foster some years filled with respect, trustworthiness and positivity.

Build trust with your teen. Two things for parents to consider here: have clear and concise expectations, and be consistent with your reactions.

For example, if you let your child spend the night with their friend Matt one weekend but not the next, that could breed some confusion and resentment.

“We want to create foresight and perspective so when they are out of our house and on their own making decisions, they can walk logically to make a great space for themselves,” Bennett says.

Bennett says if your teen meets your expectations, you can reward them. Some rewards are inherent, she says. If the youngster gets good grades or calls dad to say they’re going to be late, that means less harping by the parents. But other rewards could include an allowance or treating them to dinner at their favorite restaurant.
Know that advice and parenting strategies will change with age. Handling a 13-year-old is different than handling a 17-or 18-year-old, Bennett says with a smile.

“You start at 13 having more responsibility. Parents open the dialogue and talk about forgiveness, collaboration and developing that perspective. Then maybe by the time they’re 17, they don’t need a whole lot of parenting in that way,” Bennett says. “So maybe a 13-year-old still needs an 11 o’clock bedtime. But by the time they’re 17, they can really navigate their own bedtime. They know when they’re tired. They know when they have work to do. They know when wrestling practice is. Parents can just follow through and make sure they’re staying on track.”

Give yourself grace. Bennett reminds you that parenting is tough, and there are a lot of people – family, friends and influencers – who try to tell you how to do it. Find what works for your family. Try hard, but cut yourself some slack when things aren’t perfect.

“We all get on ourselves. We have a lot of parent guilt. But when you are loving your kids and putting time into them, the things you do wrong are just part of being a human being. There’s nothing to feel guilty about, and your kids know that,” Bennett reassures. “In fact, I think parents and kids learn the most when they’ve both made mistakes and can find their way through.”

For example, don’t be afraid to say something like: I was really mad this morning, and maybe I said things I shouldn’t have. I’d like to revisit this and do this a different way because I think we both deserve a different outcome. That teaches good conflict resolution, Bennett says.

Or, ask: what can I do for you? What do you want from this situation? Remember that teenagers are experts on issues in their own life, and an adult won’t be able to solve all their problems. Sometimes, Bennett says, kids just want to vent.

Learn more

Read more about mental health resources available at OSF that can help build good family dynamics. Some resources, like behavioral health navigators and support groups at hospitals like the one Bennett works at, are available even if you are not an OSF patient.

Interview clips

Finding the right treatment for ADHD

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0500

From misconceptions about symptoms to stereotypes about drugs like Adderall, there’s a lot to parse out when getting treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, impulse control and activity levels. ADHD is seen in all ages and can overlap with other issues like depression and anxiety.

“ADHD is different from lack of interest or just not paying attention. It includes emotional dysregulation, chronic impatience, restlessness and constant fidgeting. There’s difficulty managing, planning and organizing things,” says Maghav Sharma, MD, an OSF HealthCare psychiatrist. “That leads to difficulties at home or work. It can cause relationship difficulties or difficulties with bosses. Maybe the person is not completing work on time or are impatient with the result of the work.

“We see symptoms of hyperactivity mostly in kids. They’ll run around their classroom. It’s a common reason why teachers and parents send their students to the doctor to get ADHD treatment,” Dr. Sharma adds. “In adults, that anxiousness and restlessness is not outwardly projected. It’s more inside. A person can feel overwhelmed. They are fidgety, restless or on edge.”

All this is why it’s important to get a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Seeing someone like Dr. Sharma would be a good first step. He says therapy can teach skills, like how to plan and be organized, that can help cope with everyday ADHD issues and, at the same time, help if there are other issues present, like depression. For example, if ADHD is causing you to procrastinate on work projects, you could feel anxious about getting in trouble or sad about missed opportunities to move up the corporate ladder.

“We do quite often see people with symptoms of depression or anxiety, but they have underlying ADHD as well,” Dr. Sharma says. “It’s hard to tell sometimes which symptoms are related to anxiety and which are related to ADHD. So we tend to treat the conditions together. Treatment for anxiety and depression can sometimes alleviate the symptoms of ADHD.”

ADHD treatment “never should be just medication,” Dr. Sharma says. But if ADHD is making daily life difficult, medication can be paired “thoughtfully” with other treatment, he says. Stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse are often starting options for adults. For kids, health care providers might try methylphenidate (Ritalin is a common brand name). A provider could change your medication if side effects are a problem. They could try a non-stimulant like clonidine or guanfacine.

Lifestyle changes also play a big role in ADHD management, Dr. Sharma says. Sticking to a routine – everything from when you sleep to when you leave for work – can help. Exercise, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet and getting outside to pursue hobbies or be around others can also help your mood.

Learn more about keeping your mind healthy on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Trust, communication, bonding: The parent-teen relationship (part one)

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Author's note: this is part one of a multi-part series on the parent-teenager relationship. In the coming weeks, search the OSF Newsroom for Sara Bennett to find all the stories in this series.

What’s more delicate than a Fabergé egg? The parent-teenager relationship.

“Teenagers are working toward independence. That’s the good part. The hard part is that means they lean more toward their peer relationships,” says Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare. “It can leave parents feeling like they’re drifting apart. It can make parents feel like they’re not very important. And it can make the teenagers a little moodier. They might be taking risks they weren’t once taking. They might find peer relationships that are not very positive.

“All of that can feel really challenging for parents to navigate when it feels like your child is slipping through your fingers,” Bennett adds.

Never fear, mom, dad and other caregivers. Bennett has a checklist to foster some years filled with respect, trustworthiness and positivity.

Find shared experiences. Bennett points out that parents have no problem bonding with young kids. The youngsters want to play with mom and dad all the time. As kids get older, they are more often out of the house and exploring new interests.

“With teenagers, parents tend to focus on the things that they deem important. How’d you do on your math test? How is your relationship with Susie?” Bennett says. “Those are great, and they need to be talked about. But we also need to spend time just doing things we enjoy with each other. Focus on trivial or unimportant things.”

Try these with your teen: game night, a family dinner or a round of mini golf.

“Just something to truly enjoy each other and stay connected in a fun way,” Bennett says. And it’s a time to talk about anything and everything that’s going on with the child. Just make sure it’s an activity the teen wants to do and the parent can tolerate for a couple hours, not the other way around.
Build communication skills. Bennett advises keeping the conversations consistent and light. Try asking: what’s the goofiest thing that happened at school today?

“Connect with them on the things that matter to them. Then when the things that come up that are important to talk about, you can do that,” Bennett suggests. “When you do talk to them about the big, important things, ask them how it’s going. Leave it open-ended, validate their feelings and stay engaged and connected with them. Really try to hear what they’re saying. And before we decide to dive in and give them any constructive tips or problem solve for them, ask them if they would like help. Try to create some forethought and perspective instead of telling them what they should do.”

Examples of open-ended questions on tough topics: What are kids doing with drugs these days? Are your friends drinking on the weekends? What do you think about that? If you’re ever in that situation, are you going to get in a car with someone who’s been drinking? What would your coach think of you doing that?

Verbiage to avoid: You’re going to be in big trouble if you come home tonight and I find out you’ve been drinking.

Interview clips

Navigating the baby blues and more

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600

When talking about the good and bad of pregnancy, you might have heard terms like postpartum depression or, more casually, baby blues.

It’s critical new mothers get help in this area, says Tiffany Waters, a birthing center charge nurse at OSF HealthCare. She says up to 80% of moms experience the so-called baby blues. But when talking about maternal mental health, experts prefer the umbrella term: perinatal mood, anxiety and depression (PMAD). Perinatal refers to the time between conception and one year after delivery.

PMAD basics

Waters says for two to three weeks after delivery, most women experience hormone changes, a lack of sleep and general stress related to the “new normal.” Having a traumatic birth, like an emergency caesarean section, can compound mental health impacts. Waters says around one-third of women fall into this category.

All these factors can lead to a variety of longer-lasting PMAD symptoms, including brain fog, weeping, sleep changes, anxiety, depression, obsessive or compulsive behavior and even suicidal thoughts.

“There’s no one single cause that leads to a person experiencing these issues. It’s a combination of psychological, societal and biological factors,” Waters says. “There’s nothing a mom has done to get or deserve this experience. The best we can do is help her work through it.”

Screening and treatment

Waters says health care providers should screen a woman for depression and other mental health issues during and after pregnancy.

“There are commonly used tools,” Waters says. “The woman answers 10 questions. It gives us a rating on how their emotional and mental well-being is.”

She’s referring to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Each question is scored 0 to 3, with 3 being the response that most signals a possible mental health issue. That’s 30 total points, and a final tally of 10 or higher would warrant further evaluation.

Waters also says research is ongoing into whether certain biological markers in a woman are a sign of mental health issues to come.

“It can be difficult to admit or even recognize that a person is having depression or anxiety symptoms,” Waters says. “There are lots of reasons for that. There’s societal pressure to be a great mom. Moms might feel like if they admit how they’re feeling, their children might be taken away.”

Waters says journaling or talking to a trusted adult can help a mom document the issues she’s facing, opening the door for her to get help.

If a mom is diagnosed with PMAD, a provider will talk with her about resources like support groups, counseling, spiritual care and medication. Daily things like improved diet and exercise and exploring new hobbies can also help. And Waters says mothers should not be afraid to prioritize themselves. It’s OK to ask for a break from daily housework, for example.

Why it’s important

Waters says untreated PMAD can have consequences for the whole family and the people around the family. Substance abuse and domestic violence can increase. But if treated, it means a better life for everyone.

“It will improve the whole family dynamic,” Waters says. “It will lessen stress for everybody and lead to a happier unit.”

Learn more

Read more about pregnancy and birth and behavioral and mental health on the OSF HealthCare website. If you are in crisis, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 9-8-8.

Interview clips

Bullying isn’t just on the playground

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

It’s like “Mean Girls,” but everyone is 80.

So reads a 2018 Associated Press headline about a problem you may be surprised exists: bullying among older people living in assisted living facilities.

Shunning people from cafeteria tables, gossip, vandalism, physical scuffles and residents checking their mail at night to avoid running into an unkind cohabitant are just some examples.

While the issue may not be widespread, experts are telling the 65+ population, their loved ones and their caregivers why the problem exists and how to confront it.

Causes

Ari Lakritz, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist at OSF HealthCare who has taken a keen interest in mental health care for older folks. He points to a few reasons why senior home bullying might happen.

One, the seniors arrive with untreated (or sometimes even unknown to their caregivers) mental health issues.

Dr. Lakritz sums up the second reason: old habits are hard to break.

“The same types of personality dynamics, the same types of biases these individuals hold maybe as a product of the particular generation they grew up in. Any types of biases or beliefs about individuals different than them. Why would those go away just magically as they grow older?” Dr. Lakritz says.

Another simpler explanation: older people are cranky due to issues that come with age like chronic pain or feelings of helplessness.

Solutions

There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of senior bullying. But Dr. Lakritz says it must start with the caregivers.

“A clinician not just reacting to different problems in the facility but proactively speaking with residents at least for a few minutes each day,” Lakritz suggests. “As well as having a really good referral system set up to psychiatrists, psychologists or another type of clinician if mental health concerns really do become a problem with individuals in that facility.”

And the facilities can take short-term steps, such as holding anti-bullying or anger management classes for staff and residents. Don’t allow residents to “claim” things in common areas like chairs or televisions to prevent others from being excluded. Include language on bullying in admission agreements that could allow staff to remove someone if they are a menace.

Families of the residents should check in with them frequently, too. Watch for changes in how they talk and act. A sudden desire to move out of a facility may be a sign of a bigger problem. Drop in for lunch and see if you witness any bullying yourself. If so, report it to staff.

The National Center for Assisted Living also has a document with tips to spot and stop bullying.

Visit the OSF HealthCare website for behavioral and mental health resources. If you or a loved one – of any age – are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 9-8-8, the digits for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Interview clips

Groundbreaking held for Meadowview Behavioral Hospital

Thu, 15 May 2025 10:54:07 -0500

OSF HealthCare and US HealthVest have officially broken ground on Meadowview Behavioral Hospital, a new state-of-the-art facility that will expand access to critically needed behavioral health services in Central Illinois. The ceremony occurred at 9014 N Wood Sage Road, Peoria, and marks a major milestone in a joint venture between two organizations committed to improving access to mental health care in Illinois.

Meadowview Behavioral Hospital will provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care. The hospital will serve patients in need of treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders and other behavioral health conditions.

“This is a vital addition to our region that reflects our shared commitment to meeting people where they are with compassionate, high-quality care,” said Michelle Conger, President, OSF HealthCare. “Mental and behavioral health are critical components of a person’s well-being, and this new hospital will help us address one of the most urgent health needs in our community.”

The hospital is the result of a joint venture between OSF HealthCare and US HealthVest, a national leader in behavioral hospitals. The two organizations are working together to bring innovative and accessible care solutions to communities across the Midwest.

“We are proud to partner with OSF HealthCare to bring Meadowview Behavioral Hospital to life,” said Dr. Richard Kresch, President and CEO of US HealthVest. “This hospital will fill a significant gap in the region’s health care services and provide high-quality, evidence-based treatment for those struggling with mental health issues.”

Construction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026. Meadowview Behavioral Hospital will bring new clinical jobs to the area and provide a much-needed resource for individuals and families seeking behavioral health support.

Difficult, not bad: Navigating tough conversations

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0600

“I deserve a raise!”

“Son, your grades are slipping.”

“Honey, we’re not spending enough time together.”

Difficult conversations come up more often than you’d think. Luckily, there are time-tested ways to navigate them, says Sara Bennett, a psychotherapist at OSF HealthCare.

Choose a goal. Figure out what you want out of the talk, whether that’s the raise you’re after at work or just a better understanding with someone close to you. Also plan how you may react to responses.

“Hopefully that goal is to not be right. Hopefully it’s to come to some kind of resolution or share some information. Maybe you’re seeking advice,” Bennett says.

In other words, you can be right, or you can have good relationships, Bennett says with a smirk.

Find the right time. Don’t jump into the conversation when you’re still upset. Calming down will lead to a more logical approach.

A script to try: I have some important things I’d like to talk about. When’s a good time to do that?
I messages.

Bennett explains: “Sometimes when we approach things too directly, it makes the other person put on their armor. Difficult conversations are both listening and speaking. You want to understand what’s happening and present your topic logically.”

So instead of: You never do the dishes and take out the trash, and that makes me overwhelmed.

Try: I feel very overwhelmed when I come home, and the kitchen is chaotic.
Active listening. As the name implies, really take in what the other person is saying. Don’t let words go in one ear and out the other.

“That can look like nodding your head in agreement or asking for something to be clarified so we both are understanding,” Bennett explains. “This really avoids miscommunications and misunderstandings, which can escalate a conversation.”

And of course, stay off your device during this talk. It’s tough in this technological age, but it’s important.

It just isn’t working

Despite your best efforts, maybe you can’t work things out in conversation. What then?

First, Bennett says don’t give up on trying again later to find some common ground.

“This is probably a subject that you haven’t brought up before. Even if this conversation doesn’t go the way you’d like it to, it’s very likely this is not a one-and-done subject,” Bennett says. “Just like the problem didn’t happen overnight, the solution probably isn’t going to happen overnight.

“Be patient with yourself and the other person,” she adds. “Feel the emotions of being disappointed, but then ride that wave and let the emotions pass. Try to keep in mind that this is a step forward even if it wasn’t what you expected.”

Depending on the situation, talking to a mediator or counselor can help. Schools have guidance counselors, workplaces have human resources employees and health systems have therapists who can talk with you one on one, as a couple or in a group.

Learn more

Read more about mental health resources on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Is it depression, ADHD or bipolar disorder?

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Lavender Zarraga, APRN, a behavioral health provider at OSF HealthCare, says it’s not uncommon for her patients to ask for a medication that isn’t the right fit.

The culprit? She says symptoms of common mental health issues like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder can overlap. So, it’s important to stay in contact with your provider to make sure you’re on the best treatment plan.

On depression mimicking ADHD: “You have changed executive functioning. You can’t decide. You feel dull. You can’t concentrate,” Zarraga says. “You have a hard time learning new things. You can’t remember things or forget things easily. Attention and concentration are low. You think ‘Why am I processing everything so slow?.’”

Zarraga adds that she’s seen people with depression take prescribed medicine and feel better, but then residual symptoms that mimic ADHD creep in. And, she says, ADHD can seem like bipolar disorder.

“If you start somebody on an antidepressant and they have an underlying bipolar disorder that they have not been diagnosed with, that can trigger mood symptoms. It could potentially trigger mania [a high energy period where high-risk behaviors can occur],” Zarraga says.

It’s a lot to sort out, and it may make the person feel like they have a whole new set of problems.

“Talk to a provider. See what’s going on,” Zarraga says to people in that situation, noting that kids should not have to carry these issues into adulthood.

“There’s a lot of talking involved,” she adds. “Let’s start from the beginning. Let’s go back to your childhood. How were you doing then? And we relate that to how you are now.”

From there, Zarraga says treatment could include more counseling or different medication. She says medicine for children is more straightforward. But for adults, a provider will make sure the pill isn’t impacting the rest of the person’s body.

There are also science-backed written tests that can help diagnose someone with ADHD. Questions along the lines of: Can you sit still in class? Does your mind wander all the time?

And a word for caregivers, friends and family members: watch for symptoms of these disorders in your loved ones and have a conversation, if needed. Don’t ignore things, Zarraga says.

“There’s nothing wrong with just talking about it. It’s not going to hurt anybody to discuss it,” she says, noting that society is now more accepting of mental health issues.

Signs to watch for in your close companion: irritability, aggression, anxiety and trouble sleeping. If you or someone you know needs to talk to a professional quickly, the national suicide and crisis lifeline is 9-8-8. And the OSF HealthCare website lists other resources.

Interview clips

In theaters soon: Inside Out 2 and the parenting lessons that come with it

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:14:58 -0500

Anxiety, envy, nostalgia, embarrassment and…ennui?

Four of the new emotions in the upcoming Disney/Pixar movie Inside Out 2 – the latest peek inside the mind of now-teenage girl Riley – are sure to ring a bell.

But what’s ennui?

A quick Google search will tell you it’s just another word for boredom. But there’s more to it than that, says Kyle Boerke, PsyD, a clinical child psychologist and the director of behavioral health outpatient services for OSF HealthCare. And you can also count Dr. Boerke as a fan of the Inside Out franchise. He says the first movie and the trailer for the second get a lot right when it comes to kids’ emotions and how parents can help.

Ennui demystified

Dr. Boerke says ennui (pronounced awn-WEE) describes an angst or listlessness-type boredom that develops in the pre-teenage or teenage years. It can show itself in adulthood, too, but the younger years are the prime time.

“As we learn to regulate our emotions better, you’re going to see less of that emotion overtly,” Dr. Boerke says. “It will still be there, but we’re learning to express it better.”

Children experiencing ennui may mope around the house or not be interested in things they used to, like playing with Legos.

How parents can help

Should we learn about emotions from Hollywood? Common sense says to take everything on our screens with a grain of salt and to talk to a health care provider for trusted advice. But Dr. Boerke says parents can use the Inside Out movies to teach kids about healthy behaviors.

“The biggest thing we can do with children from a young age is understanding and naming emotions,” Dr. Boerke says. “If I can get a two, three or four-year-old naming emotions, I have succeeded. And the first Inside Out movie did a fantastic job with that.”

Some things to consider when chatting before, during or after these movies:

There are no “bad” emotions, Dr. Boerke says.

“If something sad happens, it’s okay to be sad. If something frustrating happens, it’s okay to feel anger,” he says.

“While there are no bad emotions, I can express an emotion in a bad way,” he adds. “I can express happiness in a bad way by overindulging in something. Or sometimes happiness comes out as anger. I’m so excited and happy that I go and tackle my friend to the ground.”

Dr. Boerke says ennui, like other emotions, has a good middle ground. Children shouldn’t be overstimulated or completely bored. But somewhere in the middle lies a silver lining: a spark of creativity. A child may, out of boredom, go outside and kick a soccer ball around, sparking curiosity in a new hobby. Or they may call a classmate, leading to a new friendship. Dr. Boerke says sometimes it takes a mental health professional to light the spark.

“Often, I don’t even say things that are different than what parents say. But I’m not mom or dad. I’m not the caregiver,” Dr. Boerke remarks. “It’s what we call behavioral activation. Let’s come up with things to do to help you become less bored.”

Don’t bottle up emotions. The Inside Out 2 trailer even addresses this in a tongue-in-cheek way, showing Riley’s emotions from the first movie – joy, sadness, anger, fear and disgust – in a literal bottle.

“If they do it as well as I think they will, this will be a great conversation starter,” Dr. Boerke says.

“An emotion, if left to its own devices, is going to come up. You’re going to express it, hopefully appropriately. And it’s going to go back down again,” he adds. “However, if we bottle that emotion up, it’s going to fester and rise until it can’t be controlled. Then it comes out in an inappropriate way.”

For example, a child may continually bottle up frustration over being asked to clean their room until they trash the room. Long term, behaviors like this can impact a litany of things: the child’s mental health, physical health, performance in school and relationship with peers. Plus, it strains the rest of the family.

Learn more

Read more about mental health resources on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

B-roll

Inside Out 2 trailer

OSF HealthCare holds dedication of former Cottage Medical Building

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:26:41 -0500

OSF HealthCare held a Blessing & Dedication of the new OSF Center for Health in Galesburg.

This new facility, located in the former Cottage Medical Building, will complement the services offered at OSF St. Mary Medical Center.

“OSF has been a part of the Galesburg community since 1909, growing and responding to its needs as well as those of our surrounding rural communities in alignment with the Mission of our Sisters. We are so excited to be able to continue to expand access to our health care services in Galesburg, furthering our commitment to this exceptional community we are privileged to serve,” says Lisa DeKezel, President of OSF St. Mary Medical Center.

The Center for Health will provide more space for primary care services provided through OSF HealthCare, including family practice and internal medicine; endocrine and diabetes; behavioral health and psychiatry; and occupational health.

“With this new facility, we are proud to be able to serve the diverse needs of this community. Our family practice office will see patients of all ages who wish to establish a primary care physician to address all their preventive and chronic health care needs. Our internal medicine team supports patients 18 and older with routine and complex health needs. Our diabetes and endocrinology team helps to manage and control diabetes, with help from an advanced practice provider team, dietitian, and nurse education,” DeKezel says.

“We are excited about bringing growth to Galesburg through the recruitment of qualified health care professionals,” says AJ Querciagrossa, CEO of the Western Region for OSF HealthCare. “We are actively recruiting for endocrinology, family practice and internal medicine providers.”

A ribbon cutting was held in collaboration with the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

OSF Center for Health B-Roll

OSF collaborates to solve psychiatrist shortages amid growing mental health demands

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:49:05 -0500

The Association of American Medical Colleges says the United States does not have nearly enough mental health professionals to treat everyone who is suffering. That reality is playing out in hospitals and emergency departments across the country, including at the 16 hospitals Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare operates in Illinois and Michigan.

Driven by a Mission to serve with the greatest care and love means the most vulnerable must receive timely care provided with dignity. With that in mind, OSF HealthCare has partnered with a leading telemedicine behavioral health provider, Boston-based Amwell to provide 24/7 365 tele psychiatric consult support to emergency departments at nine hospitals as part of a pilot to provide mental health assessments more quickly to help speed treatment for those in crisis.

Samuel Sears, M.D., psychiatrist, director of Behavior Health Physician Services, OSF HealthCare says hiring psychiatrists is nearly impossible with a nationwide shortage” and when competing with larger hospitals in desirable coastal cities. So, the Behavioral Health team looked at third-party providers for tele psychiatry services and landed on Amwell because of its reputation and its success helping much larger, well known health systems.

“If they can handle Cleveland clinic's volume and intensity, they would be a good partner for us. And then really looking at cost as well,” says Dr. Sears. “We try and be good stewards of the Sister’s (Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis’) money and the reality is they provided us with a good competitive cost at the scale we needed with excellent quality. It was kind of a slam dunk from there.”

The pilot with Amwell began at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, a busy, Level 1 trauma center in Peoria and at two hospitals in rural locations – Alton, Illinois and Escanaba, Michigan - where there is no psychiatrist on-site but growing demand from patients showing up at the emergency department. Danielle Bess, LCSW, lead psychotherapist at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center says patients in crisis were waiting hours to be assessed.

“Having those patients sitting in the ER waiting eight plus hours to be seen by a therapist is upsetting. You know, for anyone that works in the mental health field that has a passion for this we know that those patients need help fast. So, with those extended wait times, patients just were not getting the help that they need.”

Bess points out a hospital emergency department doesn’t offer a therapeutic setting and long wait times put pressure on providers and mental health monitors who sit with patients to make sure they don’t harm themselves or others.

“It's a lot to sit with one patient for eight hours to make sure that they stay safe. Some of these patients they are determined to you know, hurt themselves and that's a high stress situation for anybody to be in. It's not an easy job. So the quicker we can get them to a safe facility the better for everybody.”

For OSF Saint Francis, Bess says two-thirds of the patients coming into the emergency department who were seen by an Amwell psychiatrist have required inpatient treatment so having them assessed more quickly can help speed up the process of finding a treatment facility which is done through the OSF OnCall Care Hub. When patients can be evaluated overnight, that frees up the backlog the Care Hub faced each morning trying to find appropriate placement for individuals who need an inpatient facility.

Eases crowding throughout the emergency department

In turn, it also prevents longer wait times for all emergency department patients, Bess points out.

“We’re a Level 1 trauma center. We need to keep those beds open in the ER and if a patient is waiting 10 hours for a mental health evaluation that clogs up that room availability so the quicker we can get them moved on (to the next level of care) that helps not only helps them, but it also helps all the other patients that need care as well.”

Bess suggests having Amwell psychiatric support also prevents provider burnout. No longer do our psychotherapists feel compelled to work past their shift to complete an assessment so the patient doesn’t have to wait until morning to be transferred, receive care, or get a plan for outpatient treatment.

Dr. Sears says based on success at the first three hospitals, six more have been added to the pilot and they are reporting success. He says for the most part, Amwell has been able to meet the goal of providing a psychiatric assessment within one hour. OSF Saint Francis is also now using Amwell tele psychiatry for other patients admitted to the hospital, including those in the ICU.

“That becomes vital having that expertise to know what medications are appropriate, what would interact potentially with other things that they're getting, especially in a you know, situation where somebody's critically ill or injured.”

A more detailed analysis of return on investment is underway but Dr. Sears says it’s clear that even four months into using Amwell services, patients are being assessed more quickly, providers feel less stress and patients’ medication is being better managed, helping prevent longer hospital stays.

“Here is a service that you only are utilizing and paying for when you need it and so this is great for our facilities, especially that don't have the volume to support a psychiatrist even if we could hire one, but that definitely meet the needs.” He adds, “So this is able to support (hospitals) when they need it, as they need it, as much as they need it. And that's important because we really do look to always provide the same excellent care to every patient every time, regardless of where they live.”

Based on the success of its pilot, OSF HealthCare plans to continue deploying Amwell Tele Psychiatry services to all 16 hospitals within its Ministry on a rolling implementation schedule.

Video clips with Dr. Samuel Sears

Video clips with psychotherapist Danielle Bess

B-roll OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center Emergency Department

Prediabetes vs. diabetes: Pay attention to both

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 09:36:00 -0500

In the 2023 State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden renewed a call to cap the price of insulin for people with diabetes.

Five days later, the condition got nationwide attention again when singer Nick Jonas, a type 1 diabetic, starred in a Super Bowl commercial promoting a product that monitors your glucose level.

And a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted a rapid rise in cases of diabetes in young people over the next few decades.

It’s a good thing that influencers and medical professionals continue to preach diabetes awareness, says Uche Allanah, MD, an internal medicine physician with OSF HealthCare. That’s because if undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can be fatal.

“It’s alarming,” Dr. Allanah says, referring to the number of patients she sees with symptoms or precursors of diabetes.

Prediabetes vs. diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder that affects how your body uses blood sugar, from which our blood cells get energy. Type 1 diabetes is when an autoimmune reaction stops your body from making insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar cannot move out of your bloodstream and into cells. With Type 2, your body still produces insulin but doesn’t use it efficiently. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women. Diabetes symptoms include increased urination, increased thirst, increased hunger and unexplained weight loss.

Dr. Allanah says prediabetes describes when you are at risk for diabetes because your blood sugar is higher than normal. She says a blood test is necessary to diagnose prediabetes because you don’t present with symptoms. In fact, the American Medical Association says of the one in three U.S. adults with prediabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it.

“It’s important to identify prediabetes because you can stall the development of diabetes and actually prevent a patient from becoming diabetic,” Dr. Allanah says.

Risk factors for prediabetes include obesity, sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome in women. Providers also look at a person’s family history of the disease, and Dr. Allanah says certain groups -- African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, Asian Americans and American Indians -- are at higher risk.

Dr. Allanah advises everyone to have regular checkups with their primary care provider to keep an eye on the risk factors you can control. Also, practice healthy habits from a young age.

“Eat right. Avoid processed food,” Dr. Allanah advises. “Exercise. A lot of people are sedentary, especially due to the pandemic. People who went to the gym no longer workout. Even now that the stay-at-home orders have been lifted, some people are just not back into their previous lifestyle.”

Dr. Allanah also says a prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis is a lot to handle. Some people may have to learn to safely give themselves shots. Others may have to constantly watch for low blood sugar to avoid fainting. Providers realize this and will be there to answer questions. But Dr. Allanah says it’s not uncommon for someone to see a mental health provider to talk about the emotional toll of the diagnosis.

Learn more

Learn more about diabetes care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

SAD: More than a Case of Seasonal Blues

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 09:28:00 -0500

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, so have the days of summer sun into the evening hours. While this is a typical sign of changing seasons, it can also come with a change in mood for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

It’s estimated that SAD affects 5-million to 8-million people a year in the United States, particularly in late fall and colder, winter months when days are shorter and nights are longer.

It is thought to be related to the lack of available sunlight, leading to a deficiency of Vitamin D. This can disrupt a person’s natural sleep cycle, and the effect on the brain can cause a person to function differently.

“People in the winter time, particularly in northern, far northern latitudes or far southern latitudes, farther away from the equator will tend to get kind of sluggish and maybe depressed, they start to have carbohydrate cravings, and it may be enough that it’s really a significant problem for them,” explains Dr. Scott Hamilton, a psychiatrist with OSF HealthCare Behavioral Health in Bloomington.

As a behavioral health psychiatrist, Dr. Hamilton works with people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. He says there’s a difference between SAD and a case of the occasional winter blahs. If you find your mind and mood are impacting your relationships, ability to work, or social activities, it’s something that needs to be addressed.

There are a number of treatment opportunities for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Dr. Hamilton says one of the most effective is bright light therapy.

“These have a UV shield, full spectrum light, 30 minutes in the morning is how most studies were done with pretty good results. Pretty uniformly positive results in people that have wintertime depression, and people that don’t have winter depression, they do sometimes still help, but they’re not as likely to be helpful.”

Dr. Hamilton says these light boxes are available online, often for less than $50. He also says that simple behavior modification can help with SAD symptoms. He says eating well and exercise can have a tremendous effect on depression symptoms, but if a person is having a tough time functioning on a day-to-day basis, he or she might want to see a therapist for professional help.

“I think trying that and getting more exercise and doing some healthy things first does make sense,” said Dr. Hamilton. “If they get to the point where they can’t function or they get suicidal thoughts, things like that, then they ought to talk to somebody. Those would be the real red flags.”

Learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder here. To connect with an OSF HealthCare Behavioral Health specialist, talk to your primary care physician for a referral. To for more information about OSF HealthCare Behavioral Health click here.

Interview Clips - Dr. Scott Hamilton

OSF HealthCare cuts rates of depression, anxiety in half using SilverCloud® by Amwell® platform

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:55:51 -0500

OSF HealthCare, an integrated health system with more than 150 locations in Illinois and Michigan, has achieved significant clinical outcome improvements across its behavioral health patient community by leveraging the Amwell Converge™ platform. Results include:

·         58% clinical improvement for patients with moderate behavioral health conditions
·         53% improvement in patient depression screening scores
·         50% improvement in patient anxiety screening scores
·         94% patient satisfaction rate with the SilverCloud® by Amwell platform

“Better access to behavioral health services is needed now more than ever. Today, one in every four U.S. adults lives with a mental health condition, yet more than half receive no treatment,” said Ken Cahill, chief behavioral health officer at Amwell. “We are proud to have been selected to enable OSF’s delivery of a hybrid approach to behavioral health care that is delivering such a meaningful improvement in outcomes and patient access to care.”

“The Amwell platform provides a scalable, reliable and flexible framework that can help us meet the growing and evolving needs of our communities now and into the future,” Dietz added.

OSF HealthCare documented alarming trends of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts reaching its emergency departments. The health system selected Amwell to implement a comprehensive hybrid care solution that could enable three main goals: connect individuals with resources as easily and early as possible; manage conditions, reduce severity of symptoms and prevent mental health crises; and provide support for its mental health professionals and care teams.

OSF HealthCare implemented SilverCloud by Amwell, a global, digital mental health platform that provides 24/7 access to digital services for people who have mild to moderate symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. Starting in 2018, OSF offered the digital program to anyone in its service area without the need for a referral or to be an existing patient and saw steady and positive adoption rates with a 300% increase in enrollments. Today, the program has more than 8,500 patient users.

To extend the powerful benefits of the solution, OSF HealthCare expanded its hybrid behavioral health approach to support teams delivering more acute levels of care, reaching more patients and helping more clinical teams maximize their effectiveness. Most recently, OSF Healthcare extended its use of SilverCloud by Amwell platform through a technology partnership with Illinois State University. This partnership will establish OSF as the sole medical provider for student-athletes and offer access to virtual mental health care via the digital program.

To learn more about the results achieved through the OSF HealthCare and Amwell partnership, read the case study here.

For major health issues, choose an ambulance

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:16:08 -0500

My own car or an ambulance?

Sure, for minor cuts and bruises that require a trip to urgent care, the former may be appropriate.

But for things like heart attack symptoms, stroke symptoms or serious wounds, Kurt Bloomstrand, MD, says the choice is clear: call the ambulance.

Dr. Bloomstrand is an Emergency Department physician at OSF HealthCare and medical director for East Central Illinois EMS (emergency medical services). He and his colleagues have seen an alarming trend lately of people with suspected heart attack coming to the Emergency Department on their own.

“Ambulances and pre-hospital providers are equipped and trained to deal with these emergencies. We can deal with these emergencies at your home or wherever you called 9-1-1 at,” Dr. Bloomstrand says. “We’re bringing the equipment from the ED to you so we can get that treatment started even sooner and bring you life-saving treatment and medication immediately.”

For example, pre-hospital providers on site or in the back of the ambulance can perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG for short), which takes a snapshot of how your heart is working. If problems are found, these providers can call ahead to the hospital and have the person bypass the ED and go directly to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. That’s a time-saving and life-saving step.

On the alternative: “If you drive yourself, there’s no way to monitor you. There’s no way to treat you if something happens,” Dr. Bloomstrand says.

Other possible pitfalls: you may pass out at the wheel from your initial medical event, causing a crash that endangers you, other drivers and pedestrians. If someone is driving you, they will likely be anxious and not drive carefully. That, too, could mean a wreck.

Private vehicles are legally not allowed to speed and go through stoplights and stop signs. An ambulance can safely, saving time.

And it may seem trivial, but if you are driving to the hospital with a serious wound, you will likely make a bloody mess all over your vehicle.

Dr. Bloomstrand has also heard plenty of misconceptions about taking an ambulance.

People who live in a rural area may think, “By the time the ambulance gets to me, I may be worse off, and I could have already been at the hospital if I took myself.”

Dr. Bloomstrand counters that although it might take time for the ambulance to arrive, this time is often faster than the time it would take to get treatment by driving to the Emergency Department.

Others may believe they can’t afford an ambulance. Dr. Bloomstrand says most major health insurance providers cover the care.

Some may think, “I’m not sick enough for an ambulance.”

“It’s your emergency. We’re there 24/7 to help and assist in your emergency,” Dr. Bloomstrand says. “If you feel like you’re having an emergency, you need to call 9-1-1. We can come and evaluate you. Please don’t feel like you’re burdening the ambulance system.”

Others may just fear an ambulance in general. They’re nervous about having a needle in their arm while in a fast-moving vehicle. Dr. Bloomstrand counters by reminding you that paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are highly skilled and trained. They have been around the block – literally.

“We deal with this day in and day out. We’re trained and equipped to handle these emergencies,” Dr. Bloomstrand says.

Interview clips

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Mental health care in your golden years

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:10:41 -0500

Anxiety. Depression. Bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia.

They’re daunting diagnoses, but necessary to think about for many people.

And experts say those concerns don’t magically go away when a person reaches age 60 and beyond. Rather, older adults need to keep mental health care in mind and know the resources available to help with concerns unique to that age group.

Ari Lakritz, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist at OSF HealthCare who has taken a keen interest in this area.

“As individuals grow older, they start to prioritize their emotional needs over their professional, financial or more mundane needs,” Dr. Lakritz says. “So you may be surprised when you work with an individual who’s older at how quickly they want to work on the problems in their life and how solution-focused they are as compared to their younger cohorts.”

Dr. Lakritz has seen plenty of examples of this research-backed idea as he’s conducted counseling sessions. For example, an older adult may want to dive right into talking about death or family disputes that have been festering for years.

How does a mental health professional achieve results with this age group? Dr. Lakritz points to a concept called interpersonal therapy, which focuses on a person’s relationships and their overall place in the world.

“That is really what older adults have on their mind at this stage of their life. Many of them are retired. For many of them, financial issues or their professional climbing of the ladder have kind of taken a backseat,” Dr. Lakritz reiterates. “They are focused on their remaining relationships and making them as good as possible.”

A therapy session for an older adult may be structured the same as a younger person’s visit. But a psychologist would need to keep in mind the person’s needs. If the patient has mobility issues, for example, the office should be easy to get in and out of. If the person is homebound, a home visit or virtual visit would be necessary.

Those telemedicine appointments, Dr. Lakritz says, took on extra importance during the pandemic. Some older adults were already isolated, and COVID fears or government mandates to stay home separated them further from visiting their loved ones and practicing social or coping skills. Card games were replaced with phone calls. A trip to the community theater was scuttled in favor of watching the show on DVD.

“On the plus side, I think everyone saw and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly older adults managed to understand technology,” Dr. Lakritz says. “[They] understand remote meetings and how to participate almost as fast as younger adults who also had to adjust very quickly.

“That was a big game changer in the field that is not going away anytime soon,” Dr. Lakritz says.

Not to mention the sense of pride from an old dog learning new tricks, as the saying goes.

“It’s very much emphasized, even in old age, to continue to pick up new skills. To acquire new knowledge,” Dr. Lakritz says. “That does lead to a great deal of self-esteem. And cognitive stimulation, learning new things, reasoning and being intellectually challenged are some of the biggest protective factors against dementia.”

One last thing Dr. Lakritz says clinicians should keep in mind when serving older adults: confronting biases or falsehoods about that generation.

For example: older adults are slower workers. The data say that’s more folklore than fact, Dr. Lakritz says.

“Many people have this misconception that working with older adults is something that is fundamentally different than working with younger people,” Dr. Lakritz says. “[Many think] you need specific, specialized training or you need to be an older adult yourself to work with older adults. And that serves as a barrier to older adults’ treatment.”

The OSF HealthCare website outlines mental health resources. Taking a look, then broaching the topic with your older friend or family member is a good first step. A necessary one, too, for some older adults who grew up in a time when “self-care” wasn’t a common term.

“If you’re a trusted person in that older adult’s life, and they trust you with more mundane concerns such as helping them get around the house and giving them rides,” Dr. Lakritz explains, “then, I think there’s a good chance they would trust you if you said, ‘I see you’re dealing with this. You’ve been dealing with it for a very long time. You haven’t been able to talk with anyone about it. There is someone we can go to’.”

And make those check-ins with your parents, grandparents and older friends a habit. They’ll be happy you did.

Interview clips

Becoming friends with artificial intelligence

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 12:24:43 -0500

Artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly expanded in 2023, and it’s here to stay. ChatGPT, Snapchat and altered photos and videos are just some of the AI encounters people have on their devices daily.

AI has many positives. But experts say when it comes to health advice, take it from a trained human being, not a robot. And if you’re scared of “the rise of the robots” – as they say in Hollywood – there are ways to cope.

“You’re absolutely normal to be anxious when there’s the first stirrings of big shifts in technology or other things that might change our life,” says Ari Lakritz, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at OSF HealthCare who says he sees these concerns often.

Coming to grips with technology advances

Common fears include technology making your job obsolete or providing you with misinformation. Dr. Lakritz suggests being proactive to the changes, not reactive. Learn how AI is changing your job or hobbies.

“See if you might be able to be part of that. Start integrating some of that into your day-to-day practice,” Dr. Lakritz says.

AI can be a time-saver, too.

“It has potential to streamline things we don’t like to do, giving us more time and energy to do things we want or things we feel are important,” Dr. Lakritz says.

For example, it may take you an hour to do an online search for sources for your college essay. If ChatGPT can do it in minutes, you might have time to take that afternoon walk or meet a friend for lunch, boosting your mental and physical health and spurring creativity.

It’s also not our first time dealing with digital unknowns. Remember the supposed Y2K bug around the turn of the millennium? Fears of computer clocks malfunctioning and worse didn’t materialize, and experts took away lessons for the next big technology shift, like AI. And a silver lining of the Y2K anxiety, Dr. Lakritz says, is that it got people learning about technology.

Don’t go to a robot for mental health care

Snapchat, the photo messaging application popular with young people, recently rolled out a chatbot called “My AI.” It’s a way for people to connect with someone when they have no one else.

“My AI can answer a burning trivia question, offer advice on the perfect gift for your BFF’s birthday, help plan a hiking trip for a long weekend, or suggest what to make for dinner,” Snapchat’s website says.

But the company concedes: “It’s possible My AI’s responses may include biased, incorrect, harmful, or misleading content. Because My AI is an evolving feature, you should always independently check answers provided by My AI before relying on any advice, and you should not share confidential or sensitive information.”

Some parents and mental health experts have picked up on that concern, too. They worry young people are getting inadequate mental health advice from a robot.

“That’s like Googling your symptoms when you’re sick instead of going to a real doctor,” Dr. Lakritz says with a hint of dismay. “You’ll get a great deal of information, but there will be very little guidance about how to use that information and which information is more applicable to you.”

If talking about your mental health virtually is your preferred way to go, there are more legitimate options than Snapchat, Dr. Lakritz says. First and foremost, your health care provider may offer virtual visits. Otherwise, talk to a provider or trusted adult about online, third-party counseling options.

“These are programs that have been tested and vetted. There’s oversight and accountability. There’s research behind it,” Dr. Lakritz explains. “Whereas with an AI assistant, it’s not clear the source of information. It’s not clear how to use that information best.”

Will AI and chatrooms replace in-person mental health care? Don’t count on it, Dr. Lakritz predicts. The human connection of being in a room with someone can’t be understated, he says.

When in doubt

When the content on your device is just too much to handle, turn it off, set it aside and take a break.

Look for these warning signs:

“Do you feel you’re doing too much of it? Do you find your use of technology is taking over other interests in your life? Have you tried to cut down but have not been able to? Do you find that using so much technology causes you to stress or dysfunction?” Dr. Lakritz asks.

Most devices have settings that can limit screen time. Parents should set boundaries with their children’s device use. Dr. Lakritz says you can even share your browsing or chat history with a trusted adult so they can make sure you’re using technology appropriately.

If your technology use is causing significant mental health problems, talk to your primary care provider or mental health provider. You can also call 9-8-8 to reach the Nation Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Learn more

Learn more about behavioral and mental health on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

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PTSD has a wide range of treatments

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 07:58:55 -0500

Model and media personality Hailey Bieber recently revealed that she has been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from a stroke in 2022.

“It was so terrifying, so jarring, so discombobulating in every single way that you could imagine,” Bieber told Vogue.

PTSD is often associated with veterans, but it can affect anyone, says Ari Lakritz, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at OSF HealthCare. It describes the development of symptoms following a traumatic event, either through firsthand or secondhand exposure. Secondhand exposure is usually not as simple as, for example, watching news coverage of a violent crime. A more appropriate example, Dr. Lakritz says, is a police officer who routinely investigates those crimes.

Dr. Lakritz describes what may trigger the beginning of a PTSD diagnosis: “Memories of the event. Dreams or flashbacks. Avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma.”

Those symptoms then change the person’s moods and level of arousal, Dr. Lakritz says. They may feel guilty or unworthy. They are easily startled, irritable and have trouble concentrating. For example, a sexual assault survivor smelling their attacker’s cologne or deodorant may make the person feel anxious or withdrawn.

“This particular set of symptoms can often very much look like depression,” Dr. Lakritz says.

PTSD symptoms can arise right after the traumatic event, or they can appear months later.

Treatment will vary widely depending on the person’s needs, Dr. Lakritz says. Two evidenced-based methods he sees a lot are cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy.

Cognitive processing therapy has people challenge or modify their beliefs about the trauma.

“Try to reframe [the beliefs]. Try to make a different end to the story,” Dr. Lakritz explains. “Try to change their thoughts about what happened and about their future and their ability to recover.”

Prolonged exposure therapy “teaches people to gradually approach the trauma in increasingly closer ways,” Dr. Lakritz says. For example, a shooting victim may come to a counseling session and be shown a picture of a gun. Then at a session days or weeks later, they hear the sound of a gunshot. The stimuli increase in intensity as the person learns there is very little to fear now.

Medicine and treatments outside a doctor’s office, like spending time with animals or picking up a new hobby, are also options. The first step, though, is to make an appointment with a mental health provider.

And when it comes to people like Hailey Bieber talking about mental health, Dr. Lakritz says it’s good because celebrities have great influence. But there’s a caveat.

“The more useful part is when they talk about the help they got,” Dr. Lakritz says.

Learn more about PTSD and mental health care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

Coping with trauma during the holidays

PTSD and the 4th of July

Mental health care starts with a first step

Suicide prevention involves all of us

OSF HealthCare & US HealthVest receive approval for new hospital

Tue, 09 May 2023 10:54:37 -0500

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has approved a Certificate of Need application by OSF HealthCare and US HealthVest, which will allow for the construction of a new, 64,000 square foot inpatient treatment facility. The planned 100-bed Meadowview Behavioral Hospital will be located on a tract of land that is owned by OSF HealthCare on Illinois Route 91.

“We are pleased to move forward with constructing what will be the largest behavioral health hospital south of Chicago and the ninth largest in Illinois,” said Michael Cruz, M.D., Chief Operating Officer, OSF HealthCare. “We appreciate the support from the communities we serve and elected officials including state senators Dave Koehler and Jill Tracy, Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, Peoria mayor Rita Ali and others, for helping make this much-needed facility a reality.”

Meadowview Behavioral Hospital will expand access to urgently needed mental health care for residents throughout central Illinois. A full continuum of behavioral health services will be offered, regardless of ability to pay, including comprehensive treatment for those who struggle with acute symptoms of mental health. The hospital will be open 24/7 with a crisis center offering free assessments and specialized programs with evidence-based care. In addition, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs will be provided.

“There remains a tremendous unmet need for behavioral health services close to home,” said Richard Kresch, MD, CEO and Founder of US HealthVest. “This new facility will allow us to deliver highly personalized and compassionate care and services within the community.”

The investment by OSF and US HealthVest is nearly $35 million. Meadowview Behavioral Hospital is anticipated to open by late 2025.

The pandemic loosens its grip, but loneliness epidemic keeps a tight hold

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 11:02:04 -0600

While society adjusts to the new normal of work, family, social interaction, along with an easing of health and safety protocols post-pandemic, behavioral health leaders say the residual impact on increasing loneliness among all age groups and populations can’t be ignored.

Research has found that social isolation significantly increases a person's risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

For example, a study, published by Jama Network Open establishes a link between social isolation and blood-clotting protein levels which can contribute to stroke or heart attacks in older women. Being lonely could trigger flight and fight stress levels of fibrinogen which usually spikes in case of blood loss and injury.

Most of us understand that getting older can mean a loss of friends and a greater feeling of loneliness but in recent years, researchers have found millennials are feeling lonelier than Baby Boomers.

According to a study by Cigna, young adults are twice as likely to be lonely than seniors. Seventy-nine percent of adults aged 18 to 24 report feeling lonely compared to 41% of seniors aged 66 and older. This is consistent with earlier research.

Morgan Hurtado of Bloomington, Illinois is in her early 30s and has three younger boys. She works days. Her husband works second shift. Weekends are spent with her oldest boy’s travel soccer team. But Hurtado lives where she grew up and has longtime friends nearby. However, she says at least one other millennial friend has moved and feels very disconnected.

“I see him a lot on social media just doing things by himself or maybe on Snapchat just sitting at home, watching TV, not really going out and having face-to-face interactions in a large group setting where there, being a metropolitan area, there’s plenty of opportunity to do that,” she shared.

OSF HealthCare Behavioral Health Director Cheryl Crowe says many millennials are focused on developing and advancing in their careers which often takes them away from their family and friends.

“We’re now a very mobile workforce. Previously the kids who came back home, worked and they were near family, and they still had their high school friends. That dynamic is fading quite a bit,” she suggested.

Crowe points out loneliness is not about being physically alone, but it speaks to a loss of feeling connected through meaningful relationships. Other studies have decisively linked heavy social media and internet use with both loneliness and depression. Crowe says it’s certainly a contributing factor with an age group which tends to spend more time on the internet and social media.

“When you are on social media, a lot of what you’re seeing is not reality. What we post are our best situations, our best self, our best opportunities and often when we look at that, we may not measure up to what our friends are doing or what our acquaintances are doing,” according to Crowe.

As Hurtado began reflecting, the mom realized she mostly relies on her family for intimate discussions and support. She is challenging herself to get out of her comfort zone and make more in-person connections.

“Something I’m trying in my personal life as sort of an experiment if you will, is to limit my social media interactions or just limit my time as a whole on social media, forcing me to have those in-person interactions more often and maybe leading to new relationships, friendships.”

Pandemic effect on older seniors in nursing homes

Newer research from the AARP Foundation showed the consequences of isolation and loneliness on nursing home residents’ quality of life are alarming: 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 32% increased risk of stroke and a nearly fourfold increased risk of death among heart failure patients. That study was conducted in 2020, the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Denise Dechow (pronounced DECK-oh), DO, a psychiatrist at OSF HealthCare who specializes in geriatric care, says long term care shutdowns left a lasting impact. Patients who had trouble hearing and seeing really struggled with the technology that allowed virtual visits with family, friends or medical providers.

Some nursing homes with COVID-19 outbreaks required patients to remain in their rooms, so residents experienced even more isolation than usual. That, in turn, affected their physical and mental health, Dr. Dechow says.

“Feelings of loneliness can lead to increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, aggression, impulsivity and suicidal thoughts.”

AARP Foundation analyzed federal data and found 1 in 8 nursing home residents passed away from COVID-19. At the same time, the pandemic prevented many people from gathering and holding funerals. That was particularly hard on older seniors who saw their fellow long term care residents, or in some cases, lifelong friends pass away.

Dr. Dechow says grieving is more challenging without access to the rituals that might make it more bearable. There is a condition called Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). In complicated grief, painful emotions are so long lasting and severe, individuals have trouble recovering from the loss.

“And this has to do with prolonging symptoms of anxiety, depression, sadness and sleep disturbance. What we notice is that we can’t not participate in these rituals. These are important and must take place, even if it’s a year after someone has passed.”

The risk of PGD is higher in older adults and those with a psychiatric history. Dr. Dechow says health care providers are going to have to recognize symptoms of this relatively newly defined disorder and make proper referrals.

Are you at risk for loneliness and social isolation? Check out this National Institutes of Health infographic for a list of risk factors and 5 ways to stay more connected.

OSF Silver Cloud is a free online tool and phone app to help manage the feelings and causes of depression, anxiety or stress. OSF HealthCare also offers free behavioral health navigation services to help understand all resources available to you.

Video clips with Morgan Hurtado

Video clips with Cheryl Crowe

Video clips with Dr. Denise Dechow, (pronounced DECK-oh), DO

Social media and brain changes

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 09:10:45 -0600

The pros and cons of social media are well documented. It allows you to connect with friends and pursue passions, but bullying and misinformation can be rampant.

But can frequent social media use lead to changes in brain development during the formative adolescent years? A recent study suggests so, but much more investigation is needed, says Karna Sherwood, MD, a neurologist at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois.

The study tracked 169 sixth and seventh graders and found those who habitually checked social media were more sensitive to rewards and punishments. To view it a different way, kids who constantly refresh Facebook hoping the likes on their post will go up may be more impulsive to seek out real-life recognition.

“At a certain point, 10 likes or 20 likes are no longer gratifying enough,” Dr. Sherwood says. “And then you have to find another way to get even more likes or more appreciation.”

That “another way” could lead to risky behaviors such as substance abuse. But Dr. Sherwood says more study is needed to conclusively make the link. Just how much does our life in the digital realm affect our life away from the device?

“A follow up study would certainly investigate if [frequent social media use] has an effect on rates of anxiety and depression,” says Dr. Sherwood. “Could this affect addiction? And what interventions could be taken to nullify those behaviors?

“As a society, if we want to raise happy and healthy people in an age where we are getting better technologically, what steps do we need to take?”

Until then, Dr. Sherwood has some good advice no matter your age or number of Twitter followers.

“Until you get the rest of the information, it’s better to have some degree of regulation,” and restraint with social media, Dr. Sherwood says.

Learn more about how the brain works on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

Tackling pediatric mental health

Bullying and the era of technology

Is social media impacting your mental health?

Kids' screen time: How much is too much?

Tackling pediatric mental health

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 09:18:34 -0600

A new report from the Pew Research Center says children's' mental health is a top concern for parents. It comes as kids have been getting their first taste of a post-COVID, normal school year. But some pandemic habits – staring at a screen all day, lounging on the couch, snacking on junk food – may be hard to break. The physical concerns of these behaviors, like weight gain, are apparent. But experts say sloth-like behavior can impact your mental health too, leading to a lack of motivation and even full-on depression, self-harm, and even suicide.

Mia Harrier is the community health specialist at OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville, Illinois. She and fellow OSF Mission Partner (employee) Jake Ozier have been taking the OSF Care-a-Van to youth groups, advocating for activities that can improve a kid’s mental health. The youngsters leave with a prize like a bocce ball kit to continue recreation.

“As adults, we've been able to make our adjustments [to COVID] because we've been around for a long time. Our brains are through developing,” Harrier says. “However, with children throughout the pandemic, it kind of took some of those opportunities that you typically have away. So they're in this place where they've experienced a lot of confusion, a lot of fear, a lot of uncertainty. So their responses to that have been really varied, and it can go into some things like undue anxiety or some depression.”

Here’s what Harrier says kids and parents need to remember:

Aim for 60 minutes of exercise per day. Harrier says playing around other kids is better than playing alone so the youngsters can gain social skills.
For ages 8 to 18, limit recreational screen time (like television or video games) to two hours per day. For ages 3 to 7, it’s one hour. Kids under two should avoid screen time and media devices altogether.
Replace sugary drinks with a healthier option. Harrier recommends cutting up fruits or vegetables and placing them in a cooler of water. Mix it around, and you have a fruit or vegetable-flavored drink.

“If they have younger siblings, it's good for them to know and helps them to be a little bit more responsible for these things that we're teaching them,” Harrier says.

As a former teacher, Harrier knows all about short attention spans in children. So when it comes to getting that message about mental health care across, she advises parents and educators to make it a two-way conversation.

“Making sure that they're really engaged, that we're asking them questions for them to respond to,” Harrier says. “We're asking them questions like ‘what do you think about this?’ or ‘what's your opinion?’ So, making it very much about them and where they stand on all of this.”

Harrier adds that repeating the message about good habits as kids age reinforces that they’re the right things to do.

If a child you know is showing signs of a mental health issue, Harrier recommends talking to your primary care provider or a behavioral health navigator (BHN). BHN is free service in all the communities OSF HealthCare serves. It aims to get people on the right track to recovery and can provide advice on things like insurance and transportation to appointments.

If a child is in crisis, such as talking about or carrying out self-harm, call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8, the new digits to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Heath care isn’t just at the doctor’s office

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:25:32 -0600

You visit a health care provider for a minor ailment, and you leave with a plan to get better. It could be medication or changing habits, combined with follow-up appointments.

But the issues in the background don’t go away. You might say to yourself:

I don’t have a car or childcare. How am I going to get back for the important follow-up?
A gas station is the only place around me to get food. I can’t go for walks because it’s unsafe. How am I going to start living healthier?
I can’t afford a new mattress. What will stop my back from hurting in the morning?

These outside, non-medical factors are called social determinants of health. Health care providers everywhere are trained to ask people about them and link them with resources.

Lucas Edwards, PA, is a primary care provider at OSF HealthCare in Godfrey, Illinois. He sees social determinants of health come into play frequently.

“[Some] patients don’t have a car or someone they can depend on for consistent rides,” Edwards says. “They might have something that’s going on that’s medically urgent, and they can’t get to where they need to go. And so they put things off until it gets to the point where things get a little bit out of control.”

In those cases, people usually end up in the emergency department – nobody’s idea of a pleasant day and a more costly way to receive care.

To keep social determinants of health in mind, Edwards says to speak up when you make first contact with your provider’s office – whether that’s on the phone, checking in on a tablet at the front desk or with a medical assistant in an exam room. Tell the person about your circumstances and be willing to answer when asked about the same.

The provider will see you for what brought you there, of course. But they might also direct you to programs within the health system or in the community to help. For example:

An upcoming visit may be changed to virtual, an option that became more common during the pandemic.
You might be able to get care at a reduced cost.
You could be referred to a social worker.

Edwards also says a simple conversation may enlighten.

“Some patients may not have had the same access to education. They don’t understand that they have this wound on their leg, and if they don’t keep it clean, it can get worse,” Edwards says.

“The provider and the patient need to be on the same wavelength. They need to understand why I want them to do something,” Edwards adds.

There’s one last player in the social determinants of health world: the people responsible for a community’s infrastructure and other daily things we often take for granted.

For example, your doctor can treat an infection. But if you go home and drink the same contaminated water, you’re back to square one.

Or, things cost more at the grocery store than they used to.

“We work with patients who have financial constraints. They have a fixed income, and they can only spend X amount on some object,” Edwards explains. “You need to go to the grocery store and get your bare necessities. So a lot of times, their health care dollars they have budgeted get dwindled.”

“It takes a village,” to keep everyone healthy, Edwards adds.

OSF HealthCare is proactive on social determinants of health. An ongoing effort aims to have people coming to medical offices fill out a social determinants of health screen at least once a year, either through their online patient portal or on a tablet at the office. Among patients screened so far, around two-thirds identified a social need.

Learn more about social determinants of health on the World Health Organization website.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

OSF Newsroom stories on social determinants of health

OSF HealthCare blog: Caring for patients beyond the health care setting

Making Anxiety Screenings Routine

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 09:44:21 -0500

From child care and finances to social situations or the uncertainty of a pandemic, life comes with worries – both big and small. For some, these worries easily come and go, but for others daily concerns become crippling, in the form of chronic anxiety.

According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Nearly 42% of adults reported experiencing anxiety or depression in February 2021, up from about 36% in August 2020. Many experts believe that while the jump in anxiety cases is concerning, some cases are still going unreported or undiagnosed.

The USPSTF is proposing new guidance that all patients under the age of 65 be screened for anxiety during visits to clinics and doctors’ offices. The panel found that screening tools, some as simple as a quick survey, are effective in identifying anxiety at its early stages among adults in that age range.

Dr. Ralph Velazquez is the chief medical officer for OSF HealthCare. He says mental health screenings like this have been a successful tool in OSF’s arsenal for more than a decade.

“We've known these problems have existed for a long time. We know the screening tools have been validated in multiple venues for a number of years,” he says. I think it's part of our commitment to value based care and to understand we take care of the continuum of care for patients throughout their entire life. So as they're struggling, we're going to be in contact with them. We have to help them throughout these episodes.”

Anxiety disorders can be life altering for those who suffer through them, causing major events like panic attacks, or manifesting in other physical ways like fatigue or sleep issues or chronic low energy. Despite how common anxiety issues are, however, for some adults there is still a stigma attached to talking about mental health issues.

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month – an observance designed to help erase that stigma. It’s a movement Dr. Velazquez says has already started in the young adult population.

“As we get older, they're giving us cues and giving us nudges, to go in for help. And some of them are demonstrating it by going in for the help themselves if they need it and showing the benefits of their treatment,” says Dr. Velazquez.

But after it is determined help is needed, what happens next? A primary care physician could refer a patient to behavioral health, but in some parts of the country behavioral health professionals are hard to come by. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), more than 150 million people live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas.

Dr. Velazquez says that while OSF HealthCare has a robust behavioral health presence, providers are finding innovative ways to make sure patients receive the care they need.

“One other thing OSF has introduced is using online behavioral health solutions to help with this, do some cognitive behavioral therapy using your phone, using a tablet, things along those lines,” he explains. “So recognizing there may not be as many resources as we'd like. We have to look at other alternatives to help patients who are struggling.”

One of those digital solutions is OSF Silver Cloud. The free mental health digital support tool is available in communities served by OSF.

OSF HealthCare also offers free behavioral health navigation services to help understand all resources available in your area.

The USPSTF is accepting public comments on its draft recommendation on anxiety screening until mid-October. You can find the panel’s full recommendations, along with links to studies and opportunities to provide feedback on the USPSTF’s website.

Interview Clips - Dr. Ralph Velazquez

OSF to commemorate 100 years of care in Urbana, Illinois

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 08:03:13 -0500

OSF HealthCare Mission Partners (employees), faith leaders from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and others will gather to celebrate a century of health care on West Park Street in Urbana, the current site of OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center, and look ahead to the next 100 years of Catholic health care in Champaign County.

A rededication of the hospital will take place at 1p.m. Thursday, October 6, followed by a public reception at Carmon’s in Champaign from 2 to 4 p.m. Speakers at the day’s events will include the Most Reverend Bishop Louis Tylka and OSF HealthCare Chairperson Sr. Judith Ann Duvall.

“A significant witness of our Catholic faith is to care for the sick and dying,” said Bishop Tylka. “Catholic health care has and continues to have a tremendous impact on people’s lives, regardless of their faith tradition, as we have brought the healing and loving presence of Jesus Christ to those we encounter. Catholic health care always upholds the sanctity of life and is a gift to our communities and our church.”

“We in the Champaign-Urbana community have been blessed over the past 100 years by having a Catholic hospital at the current location of OSF Heart of Mary,” said Paul Bittorf, OSF HealthCare Director of Pastoral Care who is based at OSF Heart of Mary. “Our collective mission in Catholic health care through those years has been that of service through the provision of caring for others. In the spirit of Christ and the example of Francis of Assisi, OSF serves all people with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the gift of life. For the past century, this hospital has done precisely that. It has made faith-based health care available to all members of the community and surrounding regions. Doing this has been an honor, and it is our plan to continue in this spirit for the next century and beyond.”

Plans to establish a Catholic hospital in Champaign County date back to 1919. Father R.J. Flynn at St. Mary’s Parish in Champaign-Urbana requested the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary to assume responsibility for a new Catholic hospital in the community. At the time, there were no sisters available to meet the request. Sisters of the Holy Cross were available, so the hospital was named Mercy Hospital. Stakeholders held an ambitious but successful fundraising campaign to get the hospital off the ground. An October 1921 headline in the Twin City Review newspaper read, “We are going to build Mercy Hospital. For you. For me. Are you going to do your part?”

The original space that housed Mercy Hospital is no longer standing, but some historical artifacts from the structure were preserved.

In 1989, Mercy Hospital merged with Burnham City Hospital in Champaign to form Covenant Medical Center on the West Park Street site. A stone marker outside OSF Heart of Mary documents this merger. In 1997, the facility joined the Provena Healthcare system and was renamed Provena Covenant Medical Center.

In November 2011, Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care merged, forming Presence Health. The hospital in Urbana became Presence Covenant Medical Center.

In August 2017, OSF HealthCare, under the sponsorship of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, signed a letter of intent to take ownership of Presence Covenant Medical Center. In February 2018, The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis renamed the hospital OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center to honor the legacy of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary.

“Access to quality health care and choices among providers are important decisions for residents and employers,” said Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin. “We are fortunate to have OSF Heart of Mary serving our community and congratulate the Ministry as it celebrates a century of health care at the Urbana location.”

T.J. Blakeman, president of the Champaign County History Museum, remarked on the hospital’s significance to the community: “We at the museum hope Champaign County residents join us in celebrating this milestone for OSF and the practice of lifesaving medicine in Champaign County. From its early beginnings as Mercy Hospital to the merger of Burnham Hospital and beyond, we wish to say thank you and recognize the dedicated nurses, physicians and support staff that have maintained this proud and important institution.”

OSF Heart of Mary continues to thrive in 2022, boasting 206 licensed beds, nearly 700 Mission Partners, a 24-hour physician-staffed Emergency Department, and nationwide recognition for treatment of heart failure, perinatal care and total knee and hip replacement. It is home to the area’s only inpatient Adult Behavioral Health unit.

B-Roll

Mental health care starts with a first step

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 12:41:56 -0500

Tackling any task – from a child walking to an adult learning a new job – starts with a first step. The same goes for taking care of your mental and behavioral health, but even the experts admit it may be daunting to ask for help. During the holiday season where some people may experience loneliness and depression, experts are reminding you there are resources to bridge the gap between “what do I do?” and “I have the care I need.”

Katie Koeller is a behavioral health navigator (BHN) at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois. BHN is a free, ministry-wide service at OSF HealthCare, but you don’t have to be an OSF HealthCare patient to use it. The program helps people in areas like depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol use, and problems with work, school, or relationships. The BHN talks to the patient – either at a provider’s office or over the phone – about what care they need, and they point the person to that care as close to home and as soon as possible. The BHN also checks the patient’s insurance coverage to see how it lines up with the care needed.

“We would do an intake,” Koeller explains. “So we'd ask questions, making sure that they're not in a crisis situation at the time and see what their symptoms are. And then that way we can better judge what they would be suited for as far as counseling, psychiatry, substance use treatment, whatever it may be.”

Koeller notes the treatment could be out-patient (the typical office visit) or in-patient (live-in treatment). She says a BHN will also check-in with the patient via phone call or message on OSF HealthCare’s secure online portal. Koeller says it’s usually three check-ins over a month, but each case is different.

“Some people just decide maybe it's not what they need, maybe just talking with somebody like me and just getting educated and feeling like they have that opportunity or just the knowledge about the community resources is enough,” Koeller says. “Because then they were like, ‘Well I can decide later on if that's what I need.’ But for the most part, I feel like a lot of patients are appreciative and do really like the service and find it helpful.”

Koeller, a BHN for three years, says even if the patient is on a good path, the BHN tells them they can always call back if they need more help.

The tendency to stay quiet about mental health is still an issue, Koeller says. But she’s seeing another roadblock to care.

“A lot of people just feel like they don't have time for it. I've heard a lot of people say that ‘I can't take off work for it.’” Koeller says. “I feel like a lot of people don't consider it to be [a crisis]. You don't want it to get to that [crisis] point. So they kind of push it back like it's not as important as my physical health.”

But in reality, Koeller says, mental health does impact physical health. In other words, if your mind hurts, your body may hurt, too.

Koeller also notes that some insurance providers can help with transportation – getting a ride to a counselor appointment, for example. Telehealth – a digital appointment with a provider from home – is also an option that’s growing in use. OSF SilverCloud is another resource designed for workplaces. These are some of the many things a BHN can check on and, at a minimum, educate the patient on what’s available.

Patients who are experiencing a mental or behavioral health issue can contact their primary care provider or – if you live within OSF HeathCare’s footprint – use the behavioral health navigator program. If you’re in a crisis situation that needs a first responder, call 9-1-1. If it leans toward a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8.