Claxton-Hepburn

Finding What Works Providers at the Claxton-Hepburn Wellness Center are using the power of genetics to pinpoint the medications that are most likely to be effective for behavioral health patients. The DNA from a cheek swab can reveal how a patient's body processes medications—information that can help providers find the optimal solution for each individual. "Genetic testing for medications can be especially helpful for patients who've tried many different drugs that haven't worked or have caused side effects," says Crystal Simmons, NPP-BC, psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. "DNA can tell us why particular medications haven't been effective for them and help us narrow the search for drugs that may work. The faster we can get patients the appropriate medications, the sooner they can start getting better." "Mental health care is one of the most urgent medical needs in our community, and demand exceeds supply. At the Claxton-Hepburn Wellness Center, a team of skilled, compassionate providers ensures patients get the care they need quickly in an environment designed to put them at ease." —Kristin Brown, LCSW-R, supervising social worker at the Claxton-Hepburn Wellness Center The North Country's New Home for Behavioral Health Care Having a healthy mind is as important as having a healthy heart and strong joints. The new Claxton-Hepburn Wellness Center creates a destination for whole health with an emphasis on emotional well-being. IN 2015, 4 percent of American adults—an estimated 9.8 million people—had a serious mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Too many individuals, however, are reluctant to seek help. "There's a stigma attached to mental health treatment, but there shouldn't be," says Crystal Simmons, NPP-BC, psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Wellness Center. "Taking medication to treat depression, for example, is just as valid and important as taking drugs for diabetes or high bloodpressure." THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Open since January, the Wellness Center is equipped to treat patients with chronic behavioral conditions. Simmons— along with David Nelson, LCSW, and Kristin Brown, LCSW-R—see patients age 18 and older with a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They offer diagnosis, medication management, therapy (individual, group, and family), and education services, among other services. The Wellness Center serves as an integral part of Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center's continuum of care, along with inpatient care and 24/7 crisis evaluations. Many patients don't have a primary care provider (PCP). They can see a PCP at the Wellness Center, as well as work with diabetes educators and tobacco cessation specialists to address some of the non-behavioral health challenges they face. The Wellness Center's hallmark is collaboration between providers, and most importantly, between patients and the professionals who care for them. "Behavioral health care can't consist of the therapist and the prescriber talking about what's best for the patient—the patient has to have a voice," Simmons says. "At our center, patients are always important members of the team." To make an appointment at the Wellness Center, call 315-713-5720. Walk-in appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. No referral isrequired. Kristin Brown, LCSW-R, Crystal Simmons, NPP-BC, and David Nelson, LCSW 7 Tomorrow is worth defending. L I V I N G W E L L

• Cover