Navigating the Government Mental Health Authority - Evan Roberson

Tri County Behavioral Health Care is the government mental health
authority for Montgomery, Liberty, and Walker Counties, offering
a wide range of services for both children and adults. Joining us
in conversation today is Evan Roberson, who directs the program.
Join us to hear how Tri County works to serve those from all
sorts of backgrounds, how they are equipped to support the most
complex children and adults, and what their treatment looks like.
Evan talks about mental health management beyond treatment, and
you’ll learn why the implications of long term drug use are often
confused for a diagnosis of schizophrenia. We also discuss why
folks with medical insurance choose Tri County over private care,
and what to expect from non-crisis and crisis care. Evan leaves
us with a message of hope around the growing awareness around the
need for mental health care for all. Join us to hear all this and
more today!




Key Points From This Episode:


Welcome to today’s guest, Evan Roberson, director of Tri
County Behavioral Health Care.

The role of Tri County Health Care, as a local mental health
authority, and a local intellectual disability authority.

Their work as a provider as well as state coordination and
policy development.

Evan’s evolving roles in different community centers from
crisis staff to IT, and director.

Their rate structure to serve those with financial
difficulties.

The big three adult mental illnesses: schizophrenia, bipolar
disorder, severe forms of depression, and schizoaffective
disorder.

The state’s ANSA assessment to determine eligibility: Adult
Needs Strength Assessment.

Which kids they serve: those with serious emotional
disturbances from four years old.

Comorbidities in kids including trauma, autism, and ADHD
symptoms.

Which patients are best suited to their care.

What schizophrenic patients experience: voices, paranoia,
sensory delusions and cognitive difficulties.

The pivotal role of maintaining your mental health in order
to function with the rest of society.

Conflating the effects of long term drug use with the
condition of schizophrenia.

Why people with health insurance seek out their services:
they are the fastest!

The process of coming in starting with a financial assessment
followed by triage and a same-day intake visit.

Wait time for an adult psychiatrist visit: three to ten days.

Wait time for a child psychiatrist visit: three weeks.

Why the majority of adults are on medication but only a small
percentage of the kids are.

The targeted case management and skills training that each
patient receives.

Other therapies that are funded separately to the federal
funded services.

What the crisis treatment process looks like from arrival to
creation of a clinical plan.

What motivates many Tri County employees to work there. 

How the pandemic has made us all more comfortable talking
about mental health, making treatment so much more accessible.






Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


Tri County Behavioral Healthcare
Evan Roberson on LinkedIn
Evan Roberson on Twitter