Peachtree – Erlanger Western Carolina is expanding its behavioral health offerings to Cherokee County.
As of Dec. 31, Erlanger is accepting referrals to begin receiving health and treatment at 183 Ledford St. in Murphy at the intersection with U.S. 64. Erlanger already has locations in Andrews and Hayesville with behavioral health offerings.
Ana Bowleg-Swan, the Erlanger behavioral health manager, said the Murphy location will offer tele-psychiatry, where the doctor there will make medication recommendations to the patient’s primary care physicians if necessary. They will also have a licensed clinical social worker who will be doing tele-therapy sessions at the Murphy clinic.
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She added that if the patient wants to do tele-health, they will go into the Murphy clinic every time. If someone wants to do online sessions, they can go to the Andrews clinic for their initial session then have virtual sessions after that.
She added that whether or not someone already has a primary care physician, they should still call to make an appointment. If they do not already have a primary care physician, Erlanger will work to get them one so they can receive their behavioral health services.
With Erlanger’s behavioral health services, someone who has anxiety, depression, grief or any mental health concerns can receive therapy. Also, if they are looking for ongoing medication management, they can see someone from Erlanger in-person, Bowleg-Swan said.
Erlanger will take any insurance to receive their behavioral health services. If someone does not have insurance, Erlanger will assist them in signing up for Medicaid.
Throughout 2024, Erlanger has been taking part in a study on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Erlanger has been sending in monthly reports and by the end of the year, they will likely hear back on the findings of the study so far, Bowleg-Swan said.
Erlanger also plans on doing a lunch-and-learn on seasonal affective disorder in
February.
Seasonal affective disorder, which is commonly referred to as seasonal depression, is a type of depression that is most common in the fall or winter as the days are shorter and there is less sunlight and cold temperatures. The shorter days and colder temperatures can lead to a change in brain chemistry that can cause someone to become sad, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Details: Call the Andrews location at 828-321-4510 or Hayesville at 828-389-3608. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, contact Erlanger or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.