DEAR EDITOR:

Mental health services empower wellness, inspire hope and support compassionate care that meets patients where they are.

Historic barriers like stigma, fear of judgment and limited access once kept people from seeking mental and behavioral health treatment. Today, that reality is shifting.

Increased awareness, education and advocacy have sparked cultural change, encouraging more individuals to prioritize mental well-being. In fact, nearly a quarter (23.9%) of U.S. adults received mental health treatment in 2023, and young adults have led the way, with treatment rates increasing by 45% between 2019 and 2022.

Central to this progress are diverse treatment options and strong community partnerships — with care delivered in clinics, outpatient hospital settings, social service organizations and schools. Robust community partnerships with seamless communication can follow a patient from diagnosis through treatment and discharge follow-up services.

Let’s break down some common myths about behavioral health services:

Myth: “I worry that I may seem weak if I seek help for mental health issues.” Fact: Seeking help is a sign of strength and resilience. Mental and behavioral health treatments can help improve overall health and well-being.

Myth: “I’m concerned I won’t be able to work or attend school during treatment.” Fact: Many treatment programs offer flexibility to help individuals balance therapy with work and school.

As a behavioral health care provider here in Northeast Ohio our team at Belmont Pines Hospital offers acute hospitalization and residential treatment programs for children and adolescents from age 5 through 17. Upon discharge, we can leverage our vast community partnerships throughout the region to ensure that our patients receive the follow-up services that they need.

At Belmont Pines and throughout our collaborative network of care, patients benefit from flexible scheduling, culturally competent teams and integration with primary care further enhance access to care.

When care follows a patient-centered approach, outcomes improve, patients stay engaged, the risk of readmission decreases and crises become less frequent. When behavioral health partners communicate and work together, the choice is often a collaborative effort — it’s providing the right support, in the right place, at the right time — driving more sustainable outcomes for patients and communities.

ANTHONY TROUTT, CEO

Belmont Pines Hospita