Better Stories

FYI, Pennsylvania has created a new toll-free support line for people struggling with the new normal. The number to call: 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600. It will be staffed around the clock. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is launching the service. Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller said the goal is to remind people that physical isolation does not mean social isolation. Staffers are trained to help those with mental illness, intellectual disab...ilities and other special needs, the department said. The helpline can also direct callers to local, community-based resources for more assistance. Other resources are available for those who need help. They include: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Línea Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454 Crisis Text Line: Text PA to 741-741 Safe2Say: 1-844-723-2729 or www.safe2saypa.org Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 Get Help Now Hotline (for substance use disorders): 1-800-662-4357 https://www.pennlive.com//pa-launches-statewide-helpline-f

We are still seeing patients via telehealth and accepting new patients. Last week we had our telehealth system up and running and we are seeing all patients remotely by video chat through people's smartphones or laptops with camera. https://betterstories.us/form/

Lisa Pan MD is joining Better Stories beginning July 1st. Dr. Pan is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, nationally known for her research with treatment resistant depression and she will be joining us part time 2 days a week, accepting UPMC commercial, Highmark BCBS commercial, and Aetna commercial. No UPMC for kids, UPMC for You, or UPMC for Life. We are also adding an additional full time nurse practitioner beginning July 1, same insurances. So we have a lot of availability for everyone this summer and fall needing medication management, as well as therapeutic massage and psychotherapy, and will be able to schedule new people in 1-2 weeks time! https://betterstories.us/form

We are excited to start offering therapeutic massage on April 30th. http://trippmassage.com/