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Behavioral Health

Family Care Health Centers’ behavioral health services are person-centered, trauma-informed and integrated with primary care.

The behavioral health team includes a psychiatrist, a psychiatric pharmacist, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed masters level social workers and other mental health professionals.

The behavioral health team provide consultations to children and adults, psychiatric medication consultations, substance use disorder consultation and case management to our pediatric and adult populations.  These services are accessible to Family Care Health Center patients through referral by their primary care provider, utilizing same-day care whenever possible.  What this means is when you visit FCHC for a medical visit, you have the opportunity to also meet with a member of our behavioral health team during that same visit.

The team also provides referrals to other community resources when necessary, such as long-term psychotherapy, educational services and alcohol/substance use disorder treatment centers for inpatient and outpatient care.

Circle of Care – Adults

Family Care Health Centers Behavioral Health
Family Care Health Centers Behavioral Mental Health

Behavorial Health Consultations

Consultations by a Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) are provided at the time of an appointment with the primary care provider.  BHCs gather information, make assessments, and provide recommendations for treatment, in consultation with the patient’s provider.

Family Care Health Centers Behavioral Mental Health

Recovery Support

Recovery Support provides individual counseling and care management for adults to improve behavioral and physical health.  This path typically involves monthly 45-minute sessions over a nine-month period.  We also have Recovery Specialists who support Medication Assisted Treatment patients.

Psychiatric Consultation

This path typically starts with a same-day behavioral health consultation. If a Behavioral Health Consultant determines with the patient and primary care provider that a psychiatric appointment is needed, an appointment with our psychiatrist will be made.  Our psychiatrist will provide recommendations to the PCP for psychiatric medication management. For select complex/high-risk patients, psychiatric providers will provide ongoing psychiatric care until the patient can be transitioned back to the PCP.

Project Step Forward

Project Step Forward involves integrated, multidisciplinary care for chronic pain. The goal is for patients to “get back to living and step forward” despite their chronic pain by implementing a self-management program in coordination with their PCP that includes a variety of non-pharmacological treatments and reduces chronic opioid use.  Step Forward also involves increased access to chiropractic care and acupuncture.

New Treatment for Depression

Family Care Health Centers Mental Health Depression Treatment

If you’ve tried two or more oral antidepressants, you may be experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD). And now there is a new treatment available!

SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine, the only FDA-approved nasal spray, used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat adults with TRD.

Dr. Jaron Asher, MD, Psychologist, and Chief Behavioral Officer oversees the SPRAVATO program at Family Care Health Centers. If you feel you may have treatment-resistant depression, there is hope. Call us today to schedule a consultation. 314-83-4CARE (2273), press 1 for English, 3 for Forest Park Southeast, then * and 4402.

Family Care Health Centers Dr. Jaron Asher Psychologist Top Doc
SPRAVATO® Important Safety Information
Important Safety Information can be found here:
https://www.spravato.com/#important-safety-information
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is SPRAVATO® (esketamine) CIII nasal spray?
SPRAVATO® is a prescription medicine, used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth to treat:
• Adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
• Depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions
SPRAVATO® is not for use as a medicine to prevent or relieve pain (anesthetic). It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe or effective as an anesthetic medicine.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective for use in preventing suicide or in reducing suicidal thoughts or actions. SPRAVATO® is not for use in place of hospitalization if your healthcare provider determines that hospitalization is needed, even if improvement is experienced after the first dose of SPRAVATO®.
It is not known if SPRAVATO® is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® can cause serious side effects, including:
• Sedation and dissociation. SPRAVATO® may cause sleepiness (sedation), fainting, dizziness, spinning sensation, anxiety, or feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings, space and time (dissociation).
o Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel like you cannot stay awake or if you feel like you are going to pass out.
o Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
• Respiratory depression was observed with the use of SPRAVATO®; additionally, there were rare reports of respiratory arrest.
o Your healthcare provider must monitor you for serious side effects for at least 2 hours (including pulse oximetry) after taking SPRAVATO®. Your healthcare provider will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
• Abuse and misuse. There is a risk for abuse and physical and psychological dependence with SPRAVATO® treatment. Your healthcare provider should check you for signs of abuse and dependence before and during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
o Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
o Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence and drug addiction.
• SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). Because of the risks for sedation, dissociation, respiratory depression, and abuse and misuse, SPRAVATO® is only available through a restricted program called the SPRAVATO® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program. SPRAVATO® can only be administered at healthcare settings certified in the SPRAVATO® REMS Program. Patients treated in outpatient healthcare settings (e.g., medical offices and clinics) must be enrolled in the program.
• Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. SPRAVATO® is not for use in children.
o Depression and other serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people may have a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These include people who have (or have a family history of) depression or a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.
• How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions in myself or a family member?
o Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions.
o Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
o Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your family member have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
o suicide attempts
o thoughts about suicide or dying
o worsening depression
o other unusual changes in behavior or mood
Do not take SPRAVATO® if you:
• have blood vessel (aneurysmal vascular) disease (including in the brain, chest, abdominal aorta, arms and legs)
• have an abnormal connection between your veins and arteries (arteriovenous malformation)
• have a history of bleeding in the brain
• are allergic to esketamine, ketamine, or any of the other ingredients in SPRAVATO®.
If you are not sure if you have any of the above conditions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking SPRAVATO®.
Before you take SPRAVATO®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
• have heart or brain problems, including:
o high blood pressure (hypertension)
o slow or fast heartbeats that cause shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, or fainting
o history of heart attack
o history of stroke
o heart valve disease or heart failure
o history of brain injury or any condition where there is increased pressure in the brain
• have liver problems
• have ever had a condition called “psychosis” (see, feel, or hear things that are not there, or believe in things that are not true).
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. SPRAVATO® may harm your baby. You should not take SPRAVATO® if you are pregnant.
o Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
o If you are able to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about methods to prevent pregnancy during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
o There is a pregnancy registry for women who are exposed to SPRAVATO® during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of women exposed to SPRAVATO® and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with SPRAVATO®, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/.
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with SPRAVATO®.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Taking SPRAVATO® with certain medicine may cause side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take central nervous system (CNS) depressants, psychostimulants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) medicine. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How will I take SPRAVATO®?
• You will take SPRAVATO® nasal spray yourself, under the supervision of a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much SPRAVATO® you will take and when you will take it.
• Follow your SPRAVATO® treatment schedule exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
• During and after each use of the SPRAVATO® nasal spray device, you will be checked by a healthcare provider who will decide when you are ready to leave the healthcare setting.
• You will need to plan for a caregiver or family member to drive you home after taking SPRAVATO®.
• If you miss a SPRAVATO® treatment, your healthcare provider may change your dose and treatment schedule.
• Some people taking SPRAVATO® get nausea and vomiting. You should not eat for at least 2 hours before taking SPRAVATO® and not drink liquids at least 30 minutes before taking SPRAVATO®.
• If you take a nasal corticosteroid or nasal decongestant medicine take these medicines at least 1 hour before taking SPRAVATO®.
What should I avoid while taking SPRAVATO®?
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything where you need to be completely alert after taking SPRAVATO®. Do not take part in these activities until the next day following a restful sleep. See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
What are the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®?
SPRAVATO® may cause serious side effects including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about SPRAVATO®?”
Increased blood pressure. SPRAVATO® can cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure that may last for about 4 hours after taking a dose. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure before taking SPRAVATO® and for at least 2 hours after you take SPRAVATO®. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden severe headache, change in vision, or seizures after taking SPRAVATO®.
Problems with thinking clearly. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems thinking or remembering.
Bladder problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop trouble urinating, such as a frequent or urgent need to urinate, pain when urinating, or urinating frequently at night.
The most common side effects of SPRAVATO® when used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth include:
• feeling disconnected from yourself, your thoughts, feelings and things around you
• dizziness
• nausea
• feeling sleepy
• spinning sensation
• decreased feeling of sensitivity (numbness)
• feeling anxious
• lack of energy
• increased blood pressure
• vomiting
• feeling drunk
• feeling very happy or excited
If these common side effects occur, they usually happen right after taking SPRAVATO® and go away the same day.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPRAVATO®.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS, and Medication Guide for SPRAVATO® and discuss any questions you may have with your healthcare provider.

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Circle of Care – Pediatrics

The Circle of Care – Pediatrics provides pediatric care management for patients 0-18 years of age.  Enrollment typically starts with a same-day pediatric behavioral health consultation.  Care management includes coordinating among all providers in the child’s network (e.g. home, school, primary care, therapist) and monitoring child’s progress.

Blogs

Family Care Health Centers Progress Pride Day Flag

Celebrating Pride Month

Dr. Kelly Gable, Pharm.D, BCPP, is FCHC’s psychiatric care provider share the mental struggles many in the LGBTQIA+ community face.   Click to read.
Family Health Care Centers Behavioral Mental Health

Seasons of Life

Sarah Kruger, LCSW, is one of our behavioral health consultant and shares a way to look at your life experiences.  Click to read.