Photo submitted to the Times Observer Pictured L to R: Hannah Bulard, Lori Devey, Kristopher Wright, Patty Kelly, Juniper Lauger, Christy Moore and Kim Pollock at Deerfield Behavioral Health in Warren.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, Deerfield Behavioral Health (DBH), an affiliate of Journey Health System, is amplifying its efforts to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote the importance of emotional well-being in communities across northwestern Pennsylvania.

Since 1991, Deerfield Behavioral Health has served individuals and families in Erie, McKean, Forest, and Warren counties, offering mental health and substance use services.

“Mental health affects everyone–regardless of age, background, or circumstance,” said Dr. Kim Thurston, executive director of Deerfield Behavioral Health. “Encouraging people to open up about their conditions is likely to play a strong and important role in destigmatizing mental disorders. Thankfully, our highly-skilled mental health team is always here to support our adults and youth through their healing journey, helping them recover and reassuring them that they are not alone.”

Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health show that approximately one in five adults lives with a mental illness. The data reveals that the prevalence is higher among females (26.4%) compared to males (19.7%). These individuals could be loved ones, coworkers, friends–or even ourselves.

To meet a wide range of mental health needs, Deerfield Behavioral Health offers the following core services: Therapy: Personalized sessions to help individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges and develop constructive coping strategies; Psychiatric Contracting: Recruiting and managing a skilled team of psychiatric professionals, helping to build a talent pipeline for Journey Health System and the broader region; Tele-psychiatry: Accessible care provided by board-certified psychiatrists and CRNPs through virtual consultations, medication management, and treatment planning.

In addition to mental health services, Deerfield Centers for Drug & Alcohol Treatment provides essential addiction recovery programs, including: Assessments to determine individualized levels of care., Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient Services that offer one-on-one and group counseling options, Medication-Assisted Treatment for clients requiring support with medication adherence, Certified Recovery Services featuring peer support from trained specialists to guide clients through personal recovery journeys.

While May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, DBH emphasizes that the conversation around mental wellness must continue year-round.

“Mental health awareness shouldn’t be confined to just one month,” said Thurston. “Every day, we should work to reduce the stigma and remind others that it’s okay to not be okay. There is always hope, and there is always help.”

DBH encourages individuals to talk to someone–a healthcare provider, therapist, teacher, family member, or friend–and to remember that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is always available for immediate support.

For more information about Deerfield Behavioral Health programs and services, visit www.deerfieldbehavioralhealth.org.