Cottage Health raising awareness to mental health services in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Cottage Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine is recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one out of every five adults in the United States experiences some form of mental illness every year. 

The report indicates only half of these individuals receive proper treatment. 

But doctors at cottage Health believe there are more mental health services available to the community than ever before.

“I think there’s much more attention being paid now to mental health and health is our most valuable asset for all of us," said Dr. Paul Erickson, a psychiatrist at Cottage Health.

Erickson is excited about the continuum of mental health services.

“There’s an emergency department where we have mental health clinicians available to see people in a crisis is one thing I would like for community to know," said Erickson.

The hospital’s intensive outpatient program called COPE treats mental health substance abuse as well as dual diagnosis.

“Group therapy sessions, where people are assessed and monitored and learn different types of skills to help them manage different symptoms related to mental health," said licensed marriage and family therapist Stephanie Molina of Cottage Health.

While Cope is not a new mental health service, health specialists at the hospital want to make sure the community is aware of the program. 

"This is important because we have so many untreated mental health, mental illnesses, we have so many people that would like help for addiction, but they don’t know where to start. This is a program that is very structured and helps you navigate through these important issues," said Molina.

The Cottage Health team hopes the community can learn about the mental health services available to them.

“My hope is that we can  destigmatize mental health and have these difficult conversations. And be able to support people who need the help and get them access to services … asking questions," said Molina.

Doctors at Cottage Health believe most individual and group insurance plans cover the costs of psychiatry and addiction medicine programs.

Private pay plans are also available to those without insurance coverage.

“And I think there’s a growing awareness for everybody about what they can do to take care of themselves whether it comes to making sure that they sleep well get exercise have good social connections all of those things … but also increasingly there’s awareness that we need good access to mental health services," said Erickson.

For more information about Cottage Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine services, call 805-569-8339 or visit cottagehealth.org/mentalhealth.