Presence Health Awarded $90,000 Grant for TelePsychiatry Pilot Program

Proviso Township Mental Health Commission has awarded Presence Health about $90,000 in grants over the next year for a TelePsychiatry pilot program that will provide online, scheduled, real-time mental health care, or "TeleBehavioral Health" services.

The pilot program is designed to serve Proviso Township's 14 towns where there is a shortage of psychiatrists.

Presence TeleHealth will use video conferencing, similar to Skype, allowing providers to remotely evaluate and treat their patients. Essentially, the pilot increases access to quality, one-on-one mental health care.

"This pilot will allow a psychiatrist to easily connect with patients in need of Behavioral Health treatment and services virtually," said Laura Messineo, Presence Health TeleHealth Strategy and Development System director. "We are confident that the TelePsychiatry pilot will provide results data to make this program permanent for the patients throughout Proviso Township."

The Illinois towns to be served by the Presence TelePsychiatry pilot program include, Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Brookfield, Forest Park, Hillside, La Grange Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, North Riverside, Northlake, Stone Park, Westchester and Western Springs.