Behavioral Health Services 

Contact Us: Located on Southwest's Memorial Campus
3400 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98663-2290
Phone: 360.696.5041
Fax: 360.696.5451

25+ Years of Behavioral Health Services:
"True recovery is possible with the right support"

As published in Southwest Health, March/April 2009 

Southwest's BHS team includes: Back: Laurie Serell-Homan, Scott Stuhr, Jacob Bruinenerg, Michael Bernstein, MD. Middle: Pam Stover, Joann Walsh, Chris Rosanski, Debby Cramer, Nancy Gierut-Wicker. Front: Heather Kaufman

As the only provider of hospital-based mental healthcare in Clark County, Southwest's Behavioral Health Services (BHS) team offers:

• Hospital inpatient care
• Outpatient day treatment
• Support group for family members (ADAPT)
• Consultation to other medical specialties
• Help for employees of many Clark County businesses (Solutions Employee Assistance)

The inpatient program has become highly valued by the community and has operated at near-full capacity — treating over 700 patients every year — since Behavioral Health Services opened its doors in August 1983. Despite the demand for services, BHS operates at a financial loss which must be subsidized by other Southwest services.

"The main reasons for the loss are low insurance payments for mental health services and the hospital's mission to treat patients regardless of ability to pay," says Michael Bernstein, MD, physician director for BHS.

Christine Rosanski, MPA, ARNP, director, says, "When families are in a crisis situation, our team works hard to help them find practical and compassionate solutions. We believe that true recovery is possible with the right support."

Debby Cramer: Turning her life around
From BHS patient to peer counselor

Debby Cramer would agree. Now in her 60s, she has overcome a lifetime of struggles with mental health issues dating back to her teenage years. From patient to hospital volunteer to peer counselor on staff in Behavioral Health Services, her journey to mental health has followed many paths.

"The BHS staff is dedicated to encouraging people to see beyond their illness. There was one nurse in particular in the psych unit that I dearly loved. She showed me I could do things other than feel sorry for myself. For people with mental illness, it is a big step when you realize you can take charge of your life."

Cramer explains that Behavioral Health Services uses the cognitive behavior theory, which encourages patients to understand their experiences so they can find ways to turn their lives around. Cramer credits Nancy Gierut-Walker with working hard to turn the medical model of mental health treatment to be recovery-oriented.

Starting as a volunteer at Southwest, Cramer would talk to patients, play games, try to engage them. From there, she became a volunteer in the ADAPT program, and after a six-month internship, she moved into a staff position.

Now as a trained peer support counselor, she makes rounds, checks on patients, helps with meals, and is ready to listen when patients are open to talking. "If you give the mentally ill some respect and caring, they are more likely to open up and talk to you. I try to be a listener more than anything."

A Battle Ground resident, Debby Cramer has a full life enjoying work, her daughter and grandchildren. "We all have difficulties, major obstacles we have to face in our lives. For mental health patients, we feel so down and desperate at times. I have learned, never give up; you can get through it, no matter what it is."

About Behavior Health Services:

Southwest's 14-bed Inpatient Unit emphasizes engagement and recovery-oriented treatment models. Voluntary treatment is provided in a safe and comfortable setting. A multidisciplinary approach including physical and emotional care with individual and family direction is part of each person's treatment.

The ADAPT day program offers outpatient comprehensive psychiatric treatment on a daily basis under the care of a multidisciplinary professional staff. A support group for family members also meets monthly.

Solutions Employee Assistance provides counseling, consultation, employer education and referral services to local companies. The goal of Solutions is to assist employees in getting the help they need to resolve personal and work-related issues.

For more information, click here.