Red Lake IHS Hospital

Vision

The Division of Behavioral Health envisions American Indian and Alaska Native communities achieving the highest levels of well-being through culturally based initiatives that integrate traditional practices and Western medicine in the context of holistic individual, family, community, and intergenerational health.

Services Offered:

1. Mental Health Evaluation (a.k.a. Diagnostic Assessment) and applicable referrals
2. Psychological Testing
3. Individual, Family and Couples Psychotherapy
4. Psychiatric Evaluation for Medication Management (requires a negative screen on a urine drug screen)
5. Crisis Assessment and Intervention
6. Smoking Cessation:  Group Therapy w/ Adjunct Medication Management
7. Patient and Family Education
8. Patient Advocacy
9. Multidisciplinary Team and Case Reviews

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT PROVIDER & PATIENT AGREEMENT

In order to provide the best care possible it is necessary for the patient and their provider(s) to work together as a team.  Below is information that will help the Behavioral Health Department (BHD) staff work with you in addressing your health needs. 

Hours of Operation:  The BHD will be operational M-F 8am to 5pm.  They office may close intermittently including, but not limited to, the following events: routine maintenance, staff meetings (Thursday afternoons) and federal holidays.  TREATMENT and SERVICES will be made available based on the following:                                                                    

Monday                       8:00am to 4:30pm

Tuesday                       8:00am to 4:30pm

Wednesday                 8:00am to 4:30pm

Thursday                     8:00am to 12pm

Friday                          8:00am to 4:30pm

The phones are answered beginning at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EXCEPT Thursdays when the BHD conducts Staff Meetings from 1-3 PM.  At any time, patients are encouraged to leave messages which will be answered within 24 hours.

Appointment Types

New patient evaluations (aka: diagnostic assessments):  Each patient that is seen for the first time by a provider in the BHD will have a thorough evaluation.  This is necessary in order to ensure that the appropriate treatment is provided.  Depending upon your evaluator (provider) these appointments may last from one to two hours.

Crises and Interdepartmental Referrals (within the hospital) will be given first priority when scheduling new patient evaluations.  Self-referrals and walk-ins will be asked to honor our call-in (encounter) policy.  Patients will be asked to call in (or visit us within the BHD) for 3 subsequent days.  On the 3^rd day you will be guaranteed an appointment but not necessarily on your day you call is for your last time.  The BHD has very high demand for services and sees a high volume of patients.  We ask that you be patient with us as we arrange services for you.  If necessary, we will refer you elsewhere. 

Mental Health Follow Up:  After the initial evaluation it may be necessary to schedule ongoing appointments to further assess your condition and monitor the effects of treatment.  These appointments will vary in length from ½ to one hour.  Several providers offer an Open Access Clinic.  Check with the MH Receptionist about these times and days. 

Behavioral Health Staff and Provider Responsibilities.

1. The BHD will respond to messages within 24 hours. 
2. The BHD will cancel appointments at the earliest possible time to avoid any inconvenience to the patient.
3. The BHD will treat all patients with courtesy and respect.
4. The BHD will attempt to take your vital signs at the beginning of all scheduled appointments.
5. Available upon request and signed Release of Information, the BHD will provide you with a summary of services and treatment recommend.  The patient and or referring agency is expected to provide the BHD with the nature and specifics of your requests.
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Patient Responsibilities.

1. Patients will register in the main lobby as they enter the hospital 15 minutes prior to coming to the department.   Appointments may be rescheduled if patients do not register for their appointment 5 minutes prior to their appointment time.  Moreover, appointments may be outright cancelled if patients do not call or register 5 minutes after their scheduled appointment.
2. ALL patients will call prior to their scheduled appointment time to cancel and/or reschedule their appointment. 
3. When possible, patients will cancel their appointment 24 hours in advance.  This will allow for other patients waiting for an appointment to be scheduled into that appointment time.
4. Patients will take their medications as prescribed. 
5. Patients will notify their provider at the earliest possible time if they are experiencing side effects to medications or wish to discontinue medications.
6. Patients under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by their legal guardian in order to be seen.  There will be no exceptions to this rule.  Only a legal guardian may schedule an appointment for a minor or be privy to their treatment records.
7. Contact with schools is mandatory for minors who are being treated for ADHD.  Failure to allow contact or provide assessment paperwork from teachers constitutes inappropriate care and medications will be discontinued until this process is followed.
8. Patients prescribed medications for ADHD and benzodiazepines must attend their scheduled appointments in order to receive a prescription for these medications.  Exceptions will be made for patients who call in to cancel and reschedule their appointments and speak to the prescribing provider.
9. Urine drug screens will be ordered on all new patients and randomly for patients on benzodiazepines and ADHD medications.
10. Positive screens for marijuana, cocaine will prohibit the prescription of benzodiazepines and medications for ADHD.
11. All patients with urine drug screens positive for street drugs or drugs that are not prescribed to them will be referred for chemical dependency (Rule 25) evaluations. 
12.  Patients may be called in for random pill counts.
13. Abusive language and intimidation will not be tolerated and may result in suspension of services per hospital policy. 
14. All patients will be treated equally.  Absolutely no “curbside” service for Tribal or Federal employees or any community member.  Moreover, if you are an adult, your family member, friend or significant other may not schedule an appointment for you or have access to her treatment records.  





Mission

The mission of the Behavioral Health Division is to instill balance, wellness, and resilience throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities in partnership with Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian health organizations, as well as with federal, state, and local agencies. The Division seeks to foster excellence in holistic approaches that promote healthy lifestyles, families, and communities. The Division will coordinate national efforts to build capacity and share knowledge throughout Indian Country and will assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of culture- and community-based programming

IHS Behavior Health Website:

http://www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/behavioral/

Suicide Prevention Program

How To Help

-Never keep suicide a secret. Don't wait. Get Help. 
-Check yourself, friend, or loved one into an emergency room.
-Tell someone who can help you find help immediately.
 -Stay away from things that might hurt you.
-If you are the person being asked for help, stay with the suicidal person.
-Its OK to ask for Help.
-Call Acoma Behavioral Health Services, the call is confidential & could save a life.

Why Is Action Needed?

It is essential that we talk about our suicide problem. Our community needs to gather the energy and willpower to work on suicide prevention.

Everyone, young and old need to know the warning signs for suicide and how to respond to those at risk; and we must provide more support for suicide survivors.

We must take the shame away from seeking help for mental health needs.

You are not alone. We are here to listen and help you find your way back to a happier healthier life.

The following are misconceptions about suicide:

“People who talk about suicide won’t really do it.”
Not True. Almost everyone who completes or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning.

“Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy.”
Not True. Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane.

“If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop it.”
Not True. Most suicidal people do not want to die; they want the pain to stop.

“Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.”
Not True. You don’t give a suicidal person ideas by talking about it.

 Warning Signs

      -Thinking, Talking, or wishing about suicide.
      -Increase substance use & abuse.
      -Feeling Trapped & Hopeless.
      -Withdrawal from family, friends, work, or things one used to enjoy.
      -High risk behavior.
      -Dramatic changes in mood.
      -Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order.
      -Giving things away, such as prized possessions.
      -Purposely hurting animals.
      -Having unresolved grief issues.
      -Being in an abusive relationship.

Red Lake Hospital: 679-3912
Red Lake Police Department: 679-3313
Red Lake Chemical Health Program: 679-3995

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 24hrs 7 days a week- 1-800-273-TALK 

National Suicide Prevention: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Resources for Veterans:    www.veteranscrisisline.net

Resources for LGBT:                     www.itgetsbetter.org

Red Lake Chemical Health Programs: http://www.rlnn.org/MinorSponsors/RLChemHealthMain.html

National Alliance on Mental Illness:  www.nami.orgMinnesota Department of Human Services:   www.dhs.state.mn.us/