Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic reports increase in clinic usage

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare has seen a notable uptick in patients at its urgent care clinic.

The Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic at 4906 Frederick Ave. is nearing its second year of operating since launching in March of 2023. Roughly 1,300 individuals have received treatment for mental health conditions.

"There has always been a great need in Saint Joseph for these services," clinical director of emergency services Brooke St Onge said. "But they were unavailable up until the point that we opened. Now that people are starting to learn about us a little bit more, I think a lot more people are feeling comfortable to come in and get the services that they actually needed."

This past year, the urgent care clinic saw 1,299 referrals, which equates to a 288% increase. Among the referrals, 93% were approved for care.

"We see everybody experiencing mental health issues," St Onge said. We see people with depression and anxiety, for suicidal and self-harming behaviors, for substance use, crisis or just mental health crisis overall. We see a lot of people for a lot of different things."

Clinic staff have stressed the importance of creating a protective, caring space for patients to receive treatment.

The increase in patients could eventually lead to the Family Guidance Center branching out to other areas.