Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

Unfortunately, many people suffer from mental illness. Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior.

Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.

Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).

Persons who reside in small, rural communities such as Jo Daviess County in Illinois received inadequate mental health care in the past due to a shortage of psychiatric services. There are no in-patient psychiatric services and limited outpatient services in Jo Daviess County, therefore we had an underserved mental health population. Galena Clinic saw this need and opened an outpatient mental health clinic in 2015.

Technology is helping ‘bring’ psychiatric care to rural areas. Galena Clinic provides the services of a psychiatrist for people who may need medications via video conferencing. If you fear that the human touch is missing, a nurse assistant provides a caring touch and is your care coordinator.

Talking therapy (psychotherapy) is offered in face to face sessions with a counselor.

We provide the following services:

• Evaluations
• Individual, couples, and family counseling
• Child, adolescent, adult and elderly services
• Medication management

We accept private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and offer a reduced fee based upon ability to pay if you qualify.