OGDEN — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 20% of all adults experience some form of mental illness, yet more than half are unable to access treatment.

To help keep up with the demands for behavioral health services, Ogden Clinic has partnered with Arizona-based evolvedMD so patients can receive help in a more timely manner.

Ogden Clinic Chief Operating Officer Ken Whipple said every patient who has an appointment with their primary care doctor is given a screening test they fill out, which indicates whether or not they may need behavioral health services. If they wish to proceed, their physician enrolls them into the program.

“We have the resources to help them right here in the clinic,” he said. “Instead of giving them a name and having to be on their own, we can walk them out and put them on the evolvedMD schedule so they’re signed up for counseling.”

Whipple said if the situation is acute — for example, if a patient is suicidal — they are taken immediately for help.

Sentari Minor, vice president of strategy and chief of staff for evolvedMD, said according to Mental Health America, Utah ranks 41st among all states overall, indicating higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.

“Unfortunately, the need is growing and the isolation and deaths caused by the pandemic exacerbated the need,” he said.

Minor said the process is very easy: A primary care provider could screen you for depression, anxiety or other mental concerns, then schedule your first appointment with evolvedMD’s on-site therapist, then begin treatment, oftentimes the same day.

“No referring out, no waiting weeks or months to find the care you need now. It’s simple, quick and more effective than traditional behavioral health models,” he said. “You would be amazed by how a simple ‘How are you feeling?’ can be so comforting to someone suffering. It’s a calm conversation with someone you’re already familiar with — your general practitioner. That means if evolvedMD’s assistance is requested, it remains a simple, assuring conversation between the patient, their primary care provider and an evolvedMD therapist.”

Whipple said once the patient is set up with a licensed clinical social worker, a psychiatrist may be brought on board to suggest medications that may help as well as other resources in the community.

“Everybody needs to know mental illness is not something to be ashamed of. You shouldn’t be ashamed to see a counselor. It’s something that can help, and we as a clinic and health care organizations in the community are trying our best to bring these resources to patients,” he said. “So please don’t be afraid to reach out if you’re having a problem.”

Since the partnership began in the second quarter of 2021, Whipple and Minor said 1,685 patients have been treated.

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