Taking care of our community with expanded mental health services

Every three years, working with Winona County, we conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment. An area of need that consistently surfaces relates to mental health. In fact, as the result of our most recent needs assessment (2022), supporting the mental health and well-being of Winona County residents rose to our top priority. We’re proactive in offering mental health support to our patients. People who receive their primary care here are probably aware that we have a depression screening and referral process to connect those who would like help with the resources they need. (This is in addition to other screenings that could lead to connecting people with helpful, non-clinical resources related to needs like food or safe housing.) People can talk to their caregivers about anything that’s concerning for assistance with finding resources. By focusing on expanding our mental health services, we’ve been able to recruit outstanding providers and develop new programs. We also collaborate with other area providers and agencies involved with mental health interventions. Our services here at Winona Health include mental health assessment, medication management, psychiatric care, one-on-one counseling with our mental health therapists, and group counseling as part of our Intensive Outpatient Program. We’ve also recently added an addiction medicine specialist, Dr. Bruce Kerr, to our medical staff. Our Intensive Outpatient Program fills the gap between traditional outpatient mental health services and inpatient hospital care. Programs like this have proven results in reducing psychiatric hospital readmissions and ensures community members have access to this level of care close to home. In addition to addressing mental health and well-being, our Intensive Outpatient Program also touches on other community health needs such as health equity, healthy behaviors and social connectedness. Growing our mental health services has led to the need for more physical space for our patients and providers. We’re fortunate to have flexible space on our campus for expanding services as this helps us continue to be good stewards of our resources. In August (target date, August 21), our Psychiatric and Counseling services and IOP will move into our Parkview Office Building adjacent to the hospital on the north end of our campus, closest to the lake. The Parkview Office Building is also home to other Winona Health services including Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and some of the Winona County Health and Human Services offices. Those who have questions about out mental health services or who would like to schedule an appointment may call 507.454.2606. We always invite thoughts and suggestions from our fellow community members. You can call our main number, 507.454.3650, use our contact us form on our website, or consider applying to join our Patient Experience Advisory Committee. For more information visit or to contact us online, visit winonahealth.org.

Rachelle Schultz, EdD President/CEO

Through this digital column, I hope to shine a light on what we’re working on both internally and beyond our walls in collaboration with other community-focused organizations.