In the interest of public safety and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County’s outpatient program, Navigate Wellness Counseling, has transitioned all in-person counseling sessions to telehealth.
Using a secure real-time audio/video communications platform, clinicians can remotely perform mental health evaluations, assessments, consultations, treatment planning and therapy, according to a press release from the association.
“It is critical to think about mental health as part of the overall public health response to COVID-19,” said Nancy Tighe, Navigate Wellness Counseling director. “As we adhere to the federal guidelines of social distancing and sheltering at home, we may become susceptible to the negative effects of isolation, including loneliness, depression, sleep disturbance, anger and poor cognitive functioning.”
The temporary measure addresses the importance of limiting in-person interaction while maintaining the program’s need to provide counseling in a safe, comfortable and secure setting, according to the press release.
Of the transition, CEO Wendy DePedro said, “Telehealth allows us to provide continued support to our clients currently in treatment who may be experiencing an exacerbation in symptoms such as fear and anxiety, and engage those with new mental health concerns resulting from the pandemic.”
The federal Health Resources and Services Administration defines telehealth as “the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health, and health administration,” according to the press release.
To schedule an appointment with Navigate Wellness Counseling, call 732-542-6422.
