Grant helps St. Cloud Hospital reach more rural patients with mental health needs

St. Cloud Hospital Behavioral Health received a nearly $1 million grant from the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to fund the Rural Access to Mental Health Providers (RAMP) project. The project increases access for patients from rural areas to St. Cloud Hospital Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) team through telehealth services.

The IBH team, which includes a psychotherapist, psychiatric provider, psychiatric nurse and chemical dependency evaluator, share their expertise and work directly with patients and their primary care providers, allowing them to receive immediate mental health care at their own medical clinics. IBH has been shown as the most effective approach to care for people with multiple health care needs.   

The three-year grant enables services to begin at some clinics starting Oct. 30. Telebehavioral health will eventually be available to patients of CentraCare Clinics in Belgrade, Clearwater, Cold Spring, Eagle Bend, Eden Valley, Long Prairie, Melrose, Paynesville and Richmond. Services are billed through insurance, like an in-person visit.