Nonprofit Behavioral Health Clinic Taps Telehealth Amid COVID-19

Quincy MA

13 May, 2020

9:51 AM

Description

Volunteers of America of Massachusetts, a nonprofit committed to providing accessible outpatient and residential behavioral health services, has temporarily pivoted from traditional in-person services at its Quincy location to telehealth services to ensure access to mental health treatment during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The service is provided through Volunteers of America of Massachusetts’ Behavioral Health Services (BHS) program. BHS began developing the telehealth option in February as a means of ensuring that patients could continue to meet with BHS’ clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full launch of telehealth services has provided patients in the Quincy and Boston area access to critical mental health services amid state-mandated social distancing orders. When the brick-and-mortar clinic re-opens after the pandemic, telehealth services will remain an option for BHS patients. “Telehealth has given Behavioral Health Services the opportunity to seamlessly deliver care to those needing services now more than ever,” said Mindy Miller, LMHC, LADCI, Director of Outpatient Services. “There was no interruption of service during our transition to telehealth and it has been well received by staff, the individuals we serve and the community. It has successfully removed one barrier to traditional counseling services and increased access to the care we provide.” BHS is an outpatient community clinic that has offered services for mental health and substance use disorders for more than 20 years. Its services include counseling and medication management for individuals in every stage of life, and the clinicians specialize in treating varied behavioral health issues and treatment modalities. Volunteers of America of Massachusetts operates a second clinic in Taunton. BHS’ telehealth services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid (MassHealth) and many commercial health plans. Individuals can schedule an appointment with a BHS clinician by submitting an online referral or calling 508-822-4027. Incorporated in 1934 and headquartered in Jamaica Plain, Volunteers of America of Massachusetts provides an array of outpatient and residential behavioral health services including substance use and mental health treatment for individuals, families, and veterans and re-entry programming. Additionally, Volunteers of America of Massachusetts operates three independent and assisted living residences. The organization serves approximately 3,000 individuals across Massachusetts. For more information, visit voamass.org.