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More Mental Health Help in Illinois
More than 600-thousand people in Illinois suffer from severe mental health issues, but there just aren't enough health professionals in the state to keep up with the demand. Illinois could soon join just two other states in the nation that have expanded the types of physicians who are legally allowed to prescribe medications to treat these patients. The two other states that allow this are Louisiana and New Mexico. Typically, a patient would see a psychologist and then a different kind of doctor to seriously talk about medication. It takes time. Doctors say when patients are in need time isn't always on their side. At the Capitol lawmakers are being asked to decide if Illinois psychologists should be allowed to prescribe medications to their patients.
“There's a critical shortage of prescribing mental health providers in the state of Illinois, throughout the state of Illinois,” said Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer, president-elect of Illinois Psychological Association.
She says the problem is access both in rural and urban parts of the state where patients needing help outnumber the professionals who can provide it.
“If I'm seeing someone fairly frequently and the person begins to develop side effects then we can address those and also address the person's feelings about what's going on with me since I started taking this medication,” said prescribing psychologist Dr. Robert Sherrill.
Sherrill has worked as a prescribing psychologist in New Mexico since they were allowed in 2004. A close doctor-patient relationship is one of many reasons he says prescribing psychologists are a good idea.
“Psychologists prescribe in every branch of the United States military and psychologists have been prescribing in the military for the last 20 years,” said Rom-Rymer.
Becoming a prescribing psychologist requires advanced specialized training, yet 80-percent of psych meds are currently prescribed by doctors with no psychological training.
“These medications are so powerful and helpful, but you know they can have some strong side effects. And you can over-medicate people,” said Dr. Elaine Levine who is also a prescribing psychologist in New Mexico.
Knowing the difference between that and just the right balance is why she supports this change. Come next spring Illinois lawmakers will use their vote to decide if the state will support it, too.
