Digital Doctor Visits: treating patients through Telepsychiatry

Psychiatrist Dr. Herbert Cruz of Kings View is one of only a few psychiatrists in the valley, he also serves as a  medical director at other behavioral health facilities. And he’s treating a high volume of patients with telepsychiatry.

"Telepsychiatry is the utilization of closer ca-television and media access to treat psychiatric patients," said Dr. Cruz. It’s counseling through a t-v or computer screen. "Initials are 60-90 minutes it’s just like seeing a psychiatry in real life," said Dr. Cruz.

Dr. Cruz shows us what a session looks like- in this case the patient’s appointment setting is a mental health clinic. "It’s about isolated communities, it’s about individuals that cannot… get to their appointment and what we’re offering them is a specialty service." He says people should have access to care regardless of where they live.

Dr. Cruz tells KSEE24’s Teresa Sardina that Behavioral health facilities are turning to telepsychiatry because of the nationwide shortage of psychiatrists, plus people in the valley can access care no matter what their income level is.

"The central valley is certainly not repleat with psychiatrists and we are far below the state average," said Dr. Cruz

"So in order for us to deliver those services what we do is contract them but we use technology,"  said Beverly Raines/Director Telepsychiatry.

The Kings View team of Telepsychiatry finds without this service some patients would never have been able to be treated.

"It’s really unfortunate that there is such a stigma around mental illness, and people are often times ashamed or afraid to admit that they’re struggling with the symptoms," said Dawan Utecht, Mental Health Director.

"The stigma and discrimination that those individuals experience can make it less likely that they’ll seek services," said Utecht.

Mental Health Director Dawan Utecht from the Department of Behavioral Health of Fresno County explains the dire need to raise awareness of mental health. She adds, "One and four individuals  will have a mental illness in their lifetime."
And that’s where we learn, no client is denied psychiatric services. "As a county mental health plan we are designated by the state to provide services to any individual who qualifies medical or indigent," said Utecht."We cover all breath of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety , substance use disorders, mental retardation, which is now referred to as intellectual disabilities," said Dr. Cruz.And the outcome of being untreated can be dangerous and in some cases- tragic. 

"We try not to focus on the diagnosis but whether or not the symptoms are impacting their daily life, said Utecht.Utecht explains a number of ways to access mental health treatment. "We a 24 hour 7 day a week access line so individuals can call that number and seek information and as well as provide information to us. "If adults and children are going through crisis– they have services through the local hospital emergency departments and the county’s crisis stablization unit.

Dr. Cruz says Telepsychiatry care is growing, in fact doctors are making house-calls for tele-health which patients can use technology from home."I’ve had individuals that feel they can control me with a controller and if that’s what it takes for them to come in to see a psychiatrist I’ll take it everyday of the week," said Dr. Cruz.

In support of Mental Health Awareness Month you can wear a green ribbon.

Crisis Services:

1-800-654-3937