FREE Mental Health Medication Hotline Helps Doctors Serve Patients

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio (NAMI Ohio) and Northeastern Ohio Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center have announced the creation of the Mental Health Medication Hotline.  The purpose of the hotline is to improve care for patients with mental health disorders who are receiving care for the disorder by a primary care physician. 

NAMI Ohio has entered into an agreement with pharmacy practice faculty members from NEOUCOM and the BeST Center for a period of six months to provide primary care physicians with expertise about all psychiatric medications for their patients.  Experts in psychiatric pharmaceuticals are available to answer questions from primary care physicians Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  at 1-800-216-3125.

“NAMI Ohio appreciates and is grateful for the critical role that primary care physicians play in recognizing the signs of mental health disorders in their patients.  With fewer and fewer resources available in our communities to meet the mental health needs of Ohioans, more and more patients are relying on their primary care physicians for their mental health care.  We are excited to be able to offer these doctors a tool that will help improve the quality of care that they are able to provide to patients with mental health disorders,” said Jim Mauro, NAMI Ohio Executive Director. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to pilot a program that has the potential for improving the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Ohioans,” said Lon Herman, Director of the BeST Center.  “It is also a practical first step toward realizing the benefits of integrating Ohio’s mental health and physical health systems.” 

NAMI Ohio is the statewide association that serves as the voice on mental illness.  The  organization is comprised of thousands of family members, individuals diagnosed with mental illness, advocates and professionals working together to ensure that Ohioans with mental illness receive the treatment, medication and support they need to lead full and productive lives.  Serious mental illness includes such illnesses as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression.

The mission of the NEOUCOM BeST Center is to promote and improve the lives of as many individuals with schizophrenia as possible by accelerating the use and dissemination of effective treatments and best practices.