Help for mental health conditions in southwest Virginia
Do you feel like your life is in turmoil or you're struggling to cope after the birth of a baby or the death of a loved one? You're not alone. LewisGale Regional Health System offers hope, help, encouragement and support for individuals with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. We treat patients with depression, chemical dependency, anxiety and many other conditions.
When patients choose our health system, they receive the best quality care through specialized services in safe, healthy, confidential and calming environments.
If you or a loved one is in crisis, or need more information, call our Access and Response Center at (877) 886-7026 or (540) 776-1100.
Comprehensive behavioral health services
LewisGale Regional Health System's behavioral health services have served southwest Virginia since 1975 and lead the region in providing high-quality psychiatric care. We combine advanced medical expertise with years of experience to offer unparalleled attention for your emotional health needs.
Our behavioral health care encompasses:
- A range of programs and services. Our comprehensive services include inpatient mental health and outpatient mental health programs for patients 13 years old and older, including impaired professionals and seniors. Following a face-to-face assessment, we develop care plans that prioritize:
- Safety
- Crisis stabilization
- Collaboration with outpatient treatment opportunities
- Follow-up care
- Individual empowerment
- Emphasis on patient and family education and support
- Community connections. Our facilities support community recovery-based programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other community programs. In addition, we work with regional Community Service Boards (CSBs) to address local needs. Several of our facilities are also sites for group meetings such as AA and community events.
- Safe and secure environment. In the mental health programs and facilities at LewisGale Regional Health System, safety is the guiding factor in every decision from program development and selection of providers to access for visitors and room design. Our skilled security staff is on-site and trained in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention®. Our years of experience and dedication are unmatched in southwest Virginia.
- Senior Transitions program. We offer comprehensive care for seniors, patients 55 years old or older, who need immediate inpatient services with our Senior Transitions program. Our team of specialists provides crisis intervention, psychiatric triage and discharge planning among several other elements of care to improve mental health for you or your loved ones.
Behavioral health conditions we treat
- Depression, including feelings of hopelessness or suicide
- Anxiety, including constant fear, paralyzing worries or panic attacks
- Substance abuse and chemical dependency
- Traumatic experiences
- Severe disorientation
- Memory impairment
- Inability to maintain adequate nutrition, which may threaten life or vital body functions
- Threatening thoughts or assaultive behavior toward others
- Unusual or bizarre behavior with illogical thoughts or beliefs
- Emotional issues occurring with substance abuse or medical issues
- Inability to maintain psychiatric stabilization through outpatient treatment
- Senior mental health conditions, any diagnosis in patients 55 years old and older
Signs of depression
Check for these signs of depression, which also apply to postpartum depression. If you, a loved one or friend have several symptoms, you may need to find professional help. Discuss the situation with your doctor immediately.
- Persistent sadness or anxiety
- Decreased energy
- Loss of interest in usual activities—including sex and hobbies
- Sleep disturbances—insomnia or oversleeping
- Appetite and weight changes—loss or gain
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide attempts
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Chronic aches or persistent symptoms not caused by physical disease
Signs of chemical dependency
Check for these signs of chemical dependency. If you, a loved one or friend have several, you may need to find professional help. Discuss the situation with your doctor right away.
- Trouble at work, in school or at home due to drinking or drug use
- Consistently drinking or using drugs more than you intend
- Experiencing "blackouts"—loss of memory while drinking or using drugs
- Arguing with family or friends because of alcohol or drug use
- Increased tolerance—needing more of the substance for the same effect
- Drinking or using drugs alone
- Drinking or using drugs to cope with a problem
- Feeling depressed after becoming sober
- Feeling guilty about drinking or drug use
Coping with traumatic experiences
We work with patients coping with traumatic experiences based on a nationally successful model of Trauma-Informed Care. Within our group-oriented structure, patients learn to recognize the symptoms and effects of traumatic experiences. Patients come to terms with the role trauma has played in their lives and discover how to build effective skills for moving forward.
Rather than placing blame, we help patients deal with what happened and empower them to take steps to create the future they want.
Mental health care team
We employ a range of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals who work together to develop individualized emotional and behavioral health treatment plans. The mental health care team at LewisGale Regional Health System includes:
- Psychiatrists
- Physician assistants
- Nurse practitioners
- Registered nurses
- Licensed therapists
- Psychiatric pharmacists
- Mental health technicians
- Art and therapeutic specialists
Because we integrate behavioral health throughout our hospitals, all current patients anywhere in our healthcare system can benefit from our mental health services. Consults, mental health assessments and screenings are available through our regional healthcare system.
Specially trained staff
Safe, respectful environments and consistent care are crucial to effective treatment of behavioral, emotional and mental health issues.
As a foundation for consistent care, LewisGale Regional Health System hospitals train staff members—from ER and security personnel to nursing supervisors and mental health providers—in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention® from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), the program nationally recognized for delivering the best outcomes. Our team of CPI-trained professionals ensures that mental health patients who enter our care at any point benefit from a consistent approach to effective behavior management.
In addition, many of our team members hold the professional designation of psychiatric/mental health nurse, as certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), part of the American Nurses Association and the world’s largest credentialing organization.
Assessment, admission and referral process
Admission or referral for mental health care at all LewisGale Regional Health System facilities starts with an assessment of patients in crisis through the emergency room at one of our four LewisGale hospitals in Salem, Alleghany, Montgomery, and Pulaski.
Our assessment and referral services are available 24/7, with or without an appointment. We’ll ask for information to help us evaluate the person and the situation, assess the level of crisis and make recommendations for the most appropriate next steps. During the conversation, we’ll discuss what to expect and how to prepare someone to become a behavioral health patient at LewisGale Regional Health System.
You may call (800) 541-9992 for additional information and to speak with someone at the Access and Response Center.
Follow-up behavioral health care
In all LewisGale Regional Health System mental health programs, we connect with aftercare providers. Our goal is to establish a follow-up appointment within seven days of discharge. We also reach out to our patients for regular wellness calls to see how they’re doing and to support them in their recovery process.
Patient resources
Please see the below sites for additional mental health resources:
