FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2020
Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Wellbeing Provides Accessible Care During COVID-19
For more than forty years the community mental health provider Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Well-being has served as a beacon of hope, healing and health in the twin cities north metro region of the state.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic Lee Carlson Center has moved all programs virtual and continues to connect with clients every day. “We’ve seen an increase in needs for support and the staff have been quick to act,” said CEO Rob Edwards. Lee Carlson Center’s team uses their telehealth platform to connect with adults, kids and families now. Edwards said it’s been engaging for parents and their children to do this in the comfort of their home at a time like this.
“Our Bridgeview Drop-in Center has gone virtual,” said Edwards. The meals Lee Carlson Center serves at no cost to clients who they call members, during a typical open day at the drop-in center have now gone on wheels, individually packed and delivered to adults with mental illness in their homes. “The support groups we offer have gone online too along with therapy and psychiatry,” Edwards said. “In fact, the agency has got as much to offer as it did before the community health crisis, and we are in contact with all our clients and taking new referrals,” he said.
The Agency’s Intensive Treatment in Foster Care Program and School-linked Mental Health programs have seen an increase in demand for telehealth support. Even our Domestic Abuse Programs continue to operate, said Edwards.
When individuals lack technology or internet access for sessions to take place via the 2-way video platform they can visit one of two clinics with sanitized telehealth stations or get authorization from their health plan to access typical services over the phone instead. More health plans have now relaxed restrictions on telephone support due to the crisis.
If an individual needs mental health support all they need to do is give the agency intake line a call at 763-780-3036.
“We believe there can be nothing more difficult than waiting for the mental health services you need today. That’s why our team works so hard to get individuals scheduled right away and eliminate all waitlists,” said Edwards.
If you don’t have health insurance Lee Carlson Center has sliding fee scale options and MNSure Navigators on staff who can help individuals sign up for coverage they may qualify for.
MORE ABOUT LEE CARLSON CENTER
Nearly 6,000 individuals receive their mental health services from the agency each year across clinics, in their homes, in schools or through their drop-in center. Now perhaps more than ever Lee Carlson Center is living up to the challenge of serving the twin cities. As an Essential Community Provider (ECP) Lee Carlson Center is the provider of choice for affordable mental health services for individuals regardless of their age and their families.
For more information or to secure a media interview regarding any of the agency’s programs please visit our website at www.leecarlsoncenter.org or contact the Chief Executive Officer, Rob Edwards at redwards@leecarlsoncenter.org
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