COUNSELING & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Our mission is to promote the overall wellness of mind, body, and spirit. All related services will be provided in an environment of trust and compassion while incorporating professional, ethical standards.
Please Note: These services require a referral from your BMS Primary Care Provider.
Counseling & Psychiatry
BMS’ social workers and psychiatrists work closely with your primary care provider as part of the individual’s care team. To receive these services, the patient must be engaged in Primary Care Services at BMS and be over age 18.
Our counseling services include counseling or also known as talk therapy, which is a regularly scheduled appointment with a social worker to address symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health concerns. Counseling/talk therapy mainly assists individuals by changing behavior through gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Psychiatry services include obtaining medication to assist with the reduction of mental health symptoms. Accessing both counseling services, and psychiatric services will often lead to a better health outcome.
Mental Health Resources
Social Services
BMS provides information on social support programs in the community such as food pantries, legal services, and insurance-related programs. We directly assist patients who have been referred by their primary care provider for home care, medical transportation, and obtaining durable medical equipment.
Medical equipment:
Once the BMS’. primary care provider writes a prescription for a Durable Medical Equipment, which comprises anything from wheelchairs, adult diapers, rollator etc. This service requires a medical visit and a prescription. Usually, the prescription will be electronically sent to a pharmacy, and the patient will be contacted for pick up or delivery.
Transportation:
BMS partners with Medical Answering Services (MAS), a service that connects Medicaid enrollees with non-emergency transportation to and from the medical visit. To access this service, the patient needs a referral from a BMS primary care provider, and medical justification for these services, which will be made by the primary care provider.
Homecare:
Home care services include assistance with personal needs such as bathing, dressing, and grooming activities. In addition, assistance with laundry, grocery shopping, and meal preparation along with light housekeeping is also included. A request for this service requires a referral from a BMS primary care provider. The final decision for these services is determined by your health plan.
Addiction Services
We provide all patients dealing with addiction access to quality, integrated, comprehensive services in a safe and respectful space.
Medication Assisted Treatment
Would you like to talk about treatment options for substance recovery?
BMS supports patients and their families in their recovery journey from substance use disorder and addiction through a combination of counseling and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Together we can create a path forward to rely less on substances. Counseling is confidential and judgment-free. Using heroin and other opioid drugs can be risky and painful. MAT with Suboxone is a medicine that can lower your risk of overdose, save you money, and help you avoid dangerous street drugs that may contain Fentanyl, which can be fatal. Suboxone (buprenorphine) is a safe medication to treat opioid dependence. You can meet with a counselor to find out if Suboxone is right for you.
Opioid Overdose Prevention
BMS is an Opioid Overdose Prevention Program with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
We distribute free, life-saving Naloxone (Narcan) to the Brownsville and East New York community. Naloxone is an emergency medicine that prevents overdose deaths from prescription painkillers and heroin. Save the life of a loved one, friend, co-worker, neighbor, or anyone using opioids with Naloxone.
BMS offers free Naloxone without a prescription. If you would like to carry Naloxone, ask a BMS staff member. We are also able to make group presentations. Contact Ana Edwards at aedwards@bmsfhc.org to set up a training.
Harm Reduction Approach
At BMS we are guided by a set of practical strategies and ideas aims at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use (learn more).
Remember! Never use alone, never use at the same time, keep a phone nearby to call 911, test your drugs, use clean needles, and carry Naloxone.
Resources
National Helpline (Spanish and English) 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Via Telehealth
Given the stigma around mental health, BMS’ approach allows primary care providers to be involved in the services being provided to a patient, encouraging and guiding more people to have the opportunity to seek help in ways that are more accessible for them. BMS’ team also supports patients facing language, physical, cognitive, or other limitations, by facilitating support advocating, and applying to access quality services.
Collaborative Care Approach
Given the stigma around mental health, BMS’ approach allows primary care providers to be involved in the services being provided to a patient, encouraging and guiding more people to have the opportunity to seek help in ways that are more accessible for them. BMS’ team also supports patients facing language, physical, cognitive, or other limitations, by facilitating support advocating, and applying to access quality services.
LOCATIONS
BMS@Main
592 Rockaway Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11212
Corporate & Administrative Headquarters
Phone: 718-345-5000
BMS@Ashford
650 Ashford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207
Phone: 718-345-5000
BMS@Bristol
Brownsville Health Action Center
259 Bristol Street 3rd FLB, Brooklyn, NY 11212
Phone: 718-345-5000