In today’s world, mental health is a top health concern. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that in Kentucky alone, more than 745,000 adults – more than 10 times Bowling Green’s population – are diagnosed with at least one mental health condition. Also, in February 2021, more than 43 percent of Kentucky adults struggled with anxiety or depression symptoms, but more than 22 percent of those adults struggling could not access mental health treatment, due to factors like cost, an inadequate number of mental health providers and lack of access to care.
UofL Health has multiple initiatives in place to help people access vital mental health treatment services.
PeaceNow
PeaceNow is a telebehavioral health clinic collaboration between UofL Health – Peace Hospital and UofL Health – UofL Physicians. PeaceNow has a goal of providing a convenient way for patients to access UofL Health behavioral health services.
The clinic is structured to provide behavioral health services via telehealth. There is an option for patients to choose onsite services at a UofL Health primary care office if needed.
Telehealth services provide a convenient, safe option for patients to receive care. This is helpful for patients who have transportation barriers, any physical disabilities or difficulty obtaining child care.
Zoom is the main platform that UofL Health providers use for telehealth appointments. Zoom is a lot like Skype, FaceTime or Facebook Messaging, but it is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Your photo and voice will not be recorded or stored, and your privacy and rights will be respected and ensured.
You can be referred to PeaceNow by a UofL Health provider or a community provider. If you are referred, you will be scheduled for a telehealth assessment by a licensed clinician and then referred to the appropriate level of care within UofL Health, or to services outside the system if the most appropriate service is not quickly available.
A clinical psychologist or a licensed therapist will perform your assessment. Psychologists and licensed therapists can also provide brief therapy services. Additionally, PeaceNow has psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (APRNs) available to provide medication management services if needed.
Conditions that can be treated in PeaceNow include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (no full psychological testing)
- Substance use disorders (will refer to appropriate level of care)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Trauma
- Grief
- Other mental health conditions
For questions about PeaceNow, call 502-588-6449. To schedule an appointment with a primary care provider, call 502-588-4343.
What If I Need Insurance?
Cost can be a huge barrier for patients who do not have insurance. UofL Health can provide financial assistance in some cases. To qualify for financial assistance, the patient must be screened and not eligible for Medicaid by Elevate Eligibility Services.
You can reach an advocate at 502-861-7439 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Support
NAMI Family-to-Family
This is a free, eight-week educational program for families of adults diagnosed with a mental health condition. The program is hosted at Peace Hospital – Adult Outpatient Center at 4414 Churchman Avenue, Louisville, KY 40215. It begins May 24, 2023, and runs from 6-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
For more information, email NAMILou@NAMILouisville.org or call 502-588-2008.
Grief Recovery Method Support Group
This is a free, eight-week educational program for anyone experiencing grief. This program is hosted at Peace Hospital – Adult Outpatient Center. For more information and to sign up, call 502-432-2011 or email Lisa Prewitt at Lisa.Prewitt@UofLHealth.org.
24/7 Level of Care Assessments
Peace Hospital offers no-charge, level of care assessments for individuals who are in crisis at Peace Hospital or any UofL Health – Emergency Department. For more information, call 502-451-3333 or 800-451-3637.
