OGDEN -- Trista Schroeder's life got a lot more manageable Thursday when she became one of the first patients to receive care at the new Wellness Clinic at Weber Human Services, a facility that integrates the treatment of mental and physical illnesses.
The goal of the integrated clinic is to engage mental health consumers as partners in their overall health.
"I was like, wow, finally," said Schroeder, the mother of a 2-year-old daughter, who has spent a lot of time shuttling between medical doctors and mental health providers in Ogden. "It's been a struggle for me because it's always far away from me and I have a little one."
Now, the Wellness Clinic, located at 237 26th St., enables Schroeder to address her physical and mental health issues in one place. She wants to achieve a healthy weight, better manage her stress and learn more about nutrition. "To have some balance," she said.
The goal of the integrated clinic is to engage mental health consumers as partners in their overall health. To that end, the clinic offers smoking cessation, exercise and nutrition classes. It also has a pharmacy and lab on site.
The clinic is jointly operated by Weber Human Services and Midtown Community Health Clinic. It is the first such operation in the state. The Wellness Clinic's inaugural patients are people who have been receiving mental health services at WHS.
Studies show that people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and major depression served by public mental health systems, on average, die 25 years earlier than the general population. In Utah, they die 29 years earlier.
Studies show that people with severe mental illnesses served by public mental health systems, on average, die 25 years earlier than the general population. In Utah, they die 29 years earlier.
Most die from cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory disease. Smoking contributes to many of these conditions, although people with mental illness are also less likely to exercise regularly, have higher rates of obesity, alcohol consumption and are more likely to have unsafe sexual practices than the general population.
The clinic was made possible by a $1.6 million grant over four years from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant requires clients to set self-management goals, work to quit smoking and undergo routine labs, among other measures, said Lisa Nichols, director of Midtown Community Health Clinic.
As an open house was conducted Thursday, the two staffs were attempting to meld their work practices and technology such as the phone system. The transition will take some time but Midtown's experience in two other co-located clinics suggests these issues are readily overcome, Nichols said.
"This is about the clients," said Kevin Eastman, director of Weber Human Services. "We're all invested in making it work for the clients."
Scott Poulsen, a mental health client from Ogden, said he's impressed by what he's seen thus far.
"It's great. You don't have worry about how to get things done. Everything is here," said Poulsen, who said he had been suffering from the flu for two weeks.
More important, Poulsen said the clinic staff makes him feel welcome.
"I just love this place. You're not alone. People care. All of these people care. It's great," he said.
By Marjorie Cortez ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Originally published on February 24th, 2011 @ 5:15pm.
