Carson City's Vitality stands out as leader in delivering comprehensive behavioral, mental health help
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 6:45am
Emerging from the Coronavirus global pandemic, it is crystal clear that Vitality Unlimited is a leader in community-based service delivery. True to its operational motto, “Complete Behavioral Health”, this steadfast and innovative non-profit organization has provided excellent services and programs that promote positive life choices, improve the quality of life and empower personal wellness to Nevada residents for 50 years.
Vitality Maintained Vital In-Person Services During the Global Pandemic
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Vitality’s exceptional programs remained in operation and delivering in-person services. This included the Veteran's Housing, Outpatient and Residential Centers, evaluations centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs and business offices. When other mental health and substance abuse providers moved to teleservices, their doors remained open to provide clients with face-to-face care.
According to Carson City’s Clinical Supervisor Heather DeAngeli, Northern Nevada is in the midst of a mental health crisis. Suicides in the State Capitol have doubled since the onset of the Pandemic. There is a surge in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and more people feel stress from economic strains.
Thus, there is an increase in demand for services statewide. Despite the many obstacles, Vitality’s dedicated staff has maintained the high level of care that clients rely on. At times, the team has had to get creative in order to make sure consumers were connected and engaged in services.
“We are jumping through hoops. We are truly a practice without walls,” Heather explained. “We are meeting people where they are. We are going into people’s homes to provide services if they do not have transportation. We will go to the park if we have to. We are stretching ourselves as much as we can to help this community.”
At a time when demand for social services has skyrocketed and resources are low, reports are trickling in from consumers that they are being denied services by other Carson City providers unable to meet the demands of those in need. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Vitality.
“I don’t believe that other treatment centers have done what we have. We have really pushed to expand and evolve because it is pro client, pro system. We all win.” CEO Ester Quilici expressed reflecting on Vitality Unlimited's proactive and continuous improvement to meet the needs of the underserved in the state.
Vitality Maintained Vital In-Person Services During the Global Pandemic
Prioritizing our role as a social safety net for all of Nevada, Vitality’s doors are open to all residents, including those who need services offered in Spanish. Thalia Maya, LCSWI, is one of two bi-lingual therapists in the Carson City area. She works along with Briseida Lozano, Targeted Case Manager, who is also bi-lingual. We are different.
There are no waiting lists, no bureaucratic hoops to jump through, and Vitality works with multiple insurance carriers, including Medicare/ Medicaid, TRI-Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kepro, and Optum. Additionally, Elko’s CCBHC is now the only state-recognized center in the county and Elko is fortunate to have a bi-lingual staff member, Maria Solis.
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