SHEPHERDSVILLE - For many, the coronavirus quarantine and subsequent events have become a traumatic time, with some needing an extra boost to get through the days.
For those who are always helped by such services, the situation has become even more challenging, especially when receiving the necessary assistance and care they are accustomed to.
Seven Counties Services has continued to assist the community by providing telehealth opportunities for all who are either affected by today’s issues or struggling to maintain throughout.
Todd Reynolds, manager of addiction services at the Bullitt County Seven Counties location in Shepherdsville, said the same staff was available and ready to provide mental health and addiction services, albeit in a changed format.
“We are here to help people,” Reynolds said. “We’re here to try to help people find their way through all of this. People are feeling like they have anxiety disorder as soon as they wake up.”
Reynolds mentioned 12-step AA program meetings as an example, which are now being offered online. Seven Counties helps clients find available online meetings.
“People still need support services,” said Seven Counties marketing director Gloria Berry. “People are still going to reach out to certified treatment centers to find an AA meeting. They can’t just go like before.”
Reynolds said Seven Counties continues to provide both individual and group therapy, along with intensive outpatient programs. Clients may still contact the facility for help in accessing necessary medications.
“We have someone in the office at all times,” Reynolds said. “I’m here a few times a week. We’re here for those who want to see somebody. And we try to keep with the CDC guidelines. We’ll sit at opposite ends of a long table, or we’ll put them on a computer in one room and we’ll be on another to communicate with them. We’ll try to help them while they’re here.”
According to Reynolds, people are reverting to phoning in when they can as a safety precaution. Employees will get the clients’ phone numbers and have a proper therapist return the calls as soon as possible.
“There are no breaks in the therapy,” he said. “Most people are trying to stay home. The governor told everyone to stay home, so they are calling in, and I can see it working.”
“People are doing a good job of calling and also setting up appointments online,” said Berry.
For those in need of residential services, Berry mentioned that the primary Seven Counties location, based in Louisville, was limited to 44 people.
“What Todd would do is assess them for the treatment level that they have,” she said. “If they can stay home, we’ll keep them in Bullitt County, and a local clinician would provide services.”
Clients suffering from the anxious feeling of the times are addressed on a daily basis, Reynolds said. However, some who are also dealing with a mental illness, or an addiction, are struggling through with added issues, and have triggers that could affect them further.
“In the age of the coronavirus, it’s harder to get support,” he said. “They can’t get a hug, or shake hands, or go to a meeting and be with people like them. It’s harder to navigate online, but people with addictions deal with this anyway. The situation can amplify depression or other situations.”
As a result, Reynolds said all of the services continue to be provided. He mentioned that having today’s technology, with computers and smart phones, makes it more possible to continue providing services.
“It’s about being more available,” he said. “We can have them text, call, or make an appointment so we can help them. But it’s just good to see people in person once in a while.”
Reynolds said all clients were polled about the telehealth availability being provided by Seven Counties, whether or not they preferred it to driving to the location.
“It was like 99 percent said they’d rather meet people,” Reynolds mentioned. “There’s just something about that human connection, being with the employees and with each other.”
Reynolds added that all Seven Counties employees receive regular check-ins to make sure they are also doing well, not being overwhelmed and not too worried about the current situation.
“Remember, we’re here to help people the best we can,” he said. “We can’t hug them, but we can send a text to support them. We just try to support each other here, knowing that it will pass.”
Berry mentioned that Seven Counties provides daily updates agency-wide on coronavirus information along with self-care.
“On Fridays they encourage employees to get outside, to enjoy the weather… to enjoy yourself,” she said. “That all comes from our executive leaders, who also take time to praise the staffers.”
According to Berry, administration officials meet daily, even on Sundays, to check and make certain all Seven Counties locations are doing well. They encourage the same throughout the organization.
“All of my meetings, either with leaders or with who I support, we check in first,” Berry said. “We ask how we are. And some people have been finding more ways to relax and enjoy life. It’s just different depending on specific situations. Some worry about getting back into regular life.”
Reynolds mentioned that as everyone continues to adapt and change their focus, the ways and means of providing assistance have also changed.
“Individual therapists noticed shorter sessions but more productive sessions,” he said.
Berry added that providing more telehealth services also saved time for clients who may drive a long distance to receive in-person services.
“Through telehealth we get someone into services that they couldn’t before, or we do it quicker,” she said. “Drive time is saved, and it even benefits therapists who have more breaks between sessions.”
“Transportation is a big issue in the rural counties,” Reynolds added.
To further support actions by Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Department of Medicaid, Reynolds said regulations have been eased, making it easier to provide necessary services during the coronavirus crisis.
“It has really helped a lot of people get what they needed,” Reynolds said.
“We were identified as essential employees,” said Berry. “The governor knows that mental health is important at this time. Legislation has allowed for more mental health assistance. We are here, and we are open.”
“We’re here to help,” Reynolds said.
For more information on services, or to request an appointment, contact Seven Counties at sevencounties.org or call (502)589-1100. The addiction treatment hotline is (502)583-3951. A 24-hour crisis hotline for adults is (502)589-4313, and a 24-hour crisis hotline for children is (502)589-8070.
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