News Category: In the News

Oceans Behavioral Hospital Amarillo’s female team members were featured in Brick & Elm Magazine’s Leading Women issue. Leading Women Honors women forging their paths and recognizes the achievements and strategies that drive them forward.

From lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to challenges surrounding hiring mental heath professionals, the behavioral health industry has faced several obstacles as the nation’s crisis worsens. In a conversation with Behavioral Health Business, CEO Stuart Archer shares insights into Oceans’ priorities, including successful employee retention initiatives and advocacy efforts, and predicts trends on the horizon in 2025.

More than 53% of adults living with mental health conditions in Oklahoma went untreated last year. Behavioral Health Center at Porter Health Village Hospital Administrator Bill Southwick spoke with the Journal Record about the new facility’s efforts to increase access to safe, high-quality care.

According to Mental Health America, Texas ranks last in the nation for access to care. From a shortage of providers on the South Plains to the stigma surrounding seeking help, Oceans Behavioral Hospital Lubbock Intake Director Brittany Simpkins and Director of Business Development Kelsey Robinson discuss the barriers preventing many people from receiving care and how the hospital is addressing this gap, including its recently expanded ages served.

With rising cybersecurity threats in health care, CEO Stuart Archer discusses how teams centered on empathy and compassion can most effectively collaborate and tackle possible crises. “It all starts with understanding how we deal with stress”.

Parity remains a systemic issue in behavioral health, impacting patients and providers. In Behavioral Health Business, CEO Stuart Archer discusses the issue, and other regulatory topics that must be addressed to ensure equal care access in 2024.

Roughly 20 million older adults have reported behavioral health challenges since 2020 but fewer than half get treatment. Behavioral Health Business highlighted providers who offer targeted, specialized care, including Oceans and our longstanding committee to geriatric mental health.

Despite the nationwide demand for behavioral health services, many providers are facing challenges due to discriminatory federal regulations and financial pressure exacerbated by the pandemic. CEO Stuart Archer spoke with Behavioral Health Business about the importance of providers’ involvement in state and local advocacy and how health system partnerships benefit communities.

Louisiana Behavioral Health Licensed Clinical Social Worker Cady Pruitt spoke with KTBS News about the challenges affecting youth mental health and how the hospital’s inpatient services for teens ages 13 to 17 address this crisis in the community.