Red Bank, NJ: The pandemic placed a heavy toll on the mental health of the American public from children, young adults, middle-aged and senior citizens.

Mandates forced people to isolate from their friends and loved ones, even forbidding them to be in the same hospital room to say their final goodbyes.

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Losing those personal connections exacerbated pandemic-related consequences especially mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.

We asked a few questions of Susan Mueller, CEO of Relief Mental Health about her company’s vision and focus to create a new standard of mental health care by offering a range of advanced therapeutic interventions.

TAPinto: Tell us about your career path and why you focused on the treatment for mental health issues**BULLSEYE

Mueller: I have spent most of my career in the health care field, in skilled nursing, acute care, and working with physicians. I always found when I was working with patients, families, and health care providers in the mental health space that there was a different kind of gratification that came from providing help and answers.

So many people need help and can’t access it or don’t even know where to start. I saw an opportunity to impact this industry and help people get better and stay better by making treatments available in an innovative way.

Watching people get better, helping families in crisis, being there for people when they don’t know where to turn; we are saving lives every day and that is truly meaningful work**STANDARD

TAPinto: The pandemic had a major impact on the mental health of older and younger adults, including children. What behavioral issues are you seeing in these groups?

Mueller: We have seen a major uptick in calls for young adults. So many of them have missed out on major milestones and missed opportunities to soft launch into adulthood via high school, college, etc.

They seem to be thrown into new territory without a net and a large portion of the patients we treat are young adults still struggling with the effects of the pandemic.**BULLSEYE

The older adult population is highly impacted from the pandemic as well. Isolation, fear, lost moments during their retirement years, and access to basic things have greatly changed our older adults.

In some cases, our staff were the only humans these adults had interaction with during the height of the pandemic

TAPinto: Describe the types of therapy that RMH offers and how your professional team determines what works best for that patient

Mueller: We offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive form of treatment for depression, OCD, and other diagnoses; Spravato (intranasal esketamine), an FDA-approved psychedelic antidepressant spray for treatment-resistant depression or suicidal ideation; psychiatric medication management; and psychotherapy.

Patients will start with an assessment with our intake team who will help them determine which modality will work best for the patient based on their history, diagnosis, symptoms, and timeline.

As patients start treatment, our clinical staff may recommend other forms of treatment as appropriate.

TAPinto: Relief Mental Health offers a non-invasive treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and/or major depressive disorder. Please explain your Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS Therapy) therapy

Mueller: We use Brainsway technology to deliver TMS. It works by emitting pulses to the area of the brain that regulates mood.

Patients sit comfortably in a chair for their 20-minute treatment and interact with our treatment technicians during that time.

Unlike medication, the benefits of TMS are durable. This means that patients experience lasting remission of symptoms long after treatment has been completed

TAPinto: The FDA recently approved the first psychedelic drug for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression or major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts or actions. Tell us about that treatment and efficacy

Mueller: Spravato is administered in our office by one of our providers. Patients will be monitored for two hours in the office in a private space. Many patients experience immediate relief from treatment. And, at day 28, it has a 69 percent response rate and a 53 percent remission rate and-remission-rates

TAPinto: Research shows that there continues to be a stigma when it comes to treatment for mental health. What do you say to our readers about these challenges and overcoming them?

Mueller: Mental health is just as life-threatening as physical ailments. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues, and you may be surprised that many of them have had their own challenges. You are not alone. Getting help only makes life better

TAPinto: Your first New Jersey Relief Mental Health facility launched in Warren, NJ. What enticed you to open in Red Bank?

Mueller: As we have grown over the past few years, we look for areas that have a lack of services. Red Bank didn’t have choices available that have the modalities we offer

TAPinto: As the CEO of Relief Mental Health, what challenges do you face as you expand your practice for mental healthcare?

Mueller: We are challenged with the education of providers and patients around TMS and Spravato.

Many people that may benefit from our services have never heard of these innovative treatment options. Because we are still a small business, getting the word out that this can be life changing and lifesaving is a priority and also the biggest challenge

TAPinto: What’s most satisfying about your job?

Mueller: The testimonials. Hearing about someone’s life we have changed or saved. That is why we do this. That is worth every long day and challenge we face in our work

Ribbon Cutting and Open House

Relief Mental Health will be holding a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the inaugural of their new healthcare facility.

Meet the team, tour the facility and ask any questions you may have. Guest speakers will be on hand and refreshments provided.

This event is in collaboration with the Eastern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce that has supported businesses and the surrounding communities for over 95 years.

When: Tuesday, January 17

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm with the program beginning at 1:15pm

Where: 211 Broad Street, Suite 207, Red Bank, NJ

RSVP: Michael Margulies, Professional Relations Liaison via email, michaelm@reliefmh.com, or telephone, 908 - 917 - 7089

It’s always good to talk to someone about personal issues you’re having.

At some point you may realize that you need the advice of a skilled and qualified mental health professional.

As CEO Susan Mueller said, “You are not alone. Getting help only makes life better.”