North Dakota Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program

"NDPMHCA has been an amazing enhancement to my pediatric practice. I see a large number of adolescent and young adult patients, many of whom have mental illness. The consult service has allowed me to continue to provide care for more patients within their trusted medical home.One case that stands out for me was a young individual who was starting to decline due to anxiety and was home bound. He was unable to graduate high school or get a job. I felt he had no options other than hospitalization once he began to experience psychosis. The consulting psychiatrist was able to help me adjust his meds immediately, connect with adult outpatient psychiatry, and steered us toward an intensive outpatient program which had quick access. Over the next few months he was able to graduate high school and enter college living on campus with his peers. I'm so thankful for NDPMHCA and hope for it to continue and grow."

"PMHCA program allowed me the opportunity to access help for my patient at a time when there was nowhere else to turn, and for that I am eternally grateful! It began with an office visit for a new patient, who resides in a rural community... Upon meeting my patient, I quickly realized... her needs exceeded my level of expertise and experience. The timing could not have been worse as we had recently lost a significant proportion of child psychiatrists in our community. I cannot describe the feeling of the weight of responsibility for my patient coupled with the inadequate access to expert resources that I knew I needed for her. My patient had left psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal attempt and persistent ideation against medical advice after feeling like inpatient therapy was unproductive... At this time, the wait list for child psychology/counseling was 5-6 months long. I was able to connect with PMHCA and obtain a phone consult in which I received a medication recommendation from a child psychiatrist... Through the Wednesday morning coffee chats, I was able to speak with a child psychiatrist and arrange for a one-time consultation... The child psychiatrist quickly established rapport and trust with my patient. She made medicinal treatment modifications, but also helped my patient and her family set treatment goals, along with a backup plan. Due to the trust established with the PMHCA child psychiatrist, my patient agreed to pursue partial hospitalization, with assistance in arranging for this treatment given by PMHCA staff. I am overwhelmingly pleased to report that my patient returned to my clinic after several weeks of partial hospitalization in partial remission. She gained a new lease on her life and was enjoying being alive for the first time in years. Over one year later, my patient continues to thrive. I remain eternally grateful to PMHCA program for providing me and my patient the necessary resources to get the treatment that she needed to start living her lovely life again."

“Dr Jorgenson called back right away and was full of good suggestions. I am over the moon with having this service available, and I am guessing I will be calling again soon!”