Mental Health Services available at Altru, Devils Lake

From a girl born on a dairy farm near Gackle, ND, to a professional mental health provider for the Lake Region, Annie Gerhardt has come a long way. Annie has been in Devils Lake with her family since 2010 working as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her other roles include being a graduate nursing instructor for the University of Mary, Major in the North Dakota National Guard, volunteer “team mom” for the Devils Lake Girls and Boys Wrestling Teams, mom and wife! Throughout her work experiences and various roles, Annie frequently noted the importance of developing and supporting mental health for overall wellness and the ability to cope with everyday stress in life.

Mental health illnesses are one of the most common health problems in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in any given year. Over the last 2 years, Annie returned to school to specialize in mental health care of patients across the lifespan through Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky. “I’ve always been curious,” she stated about herself. That curiosity and her philosophy of life “empowering others around us” has led her to continue advancing her knowledge to best support her community. Annie’s hope is by helping people support their mental health, they can live more productive, happy, and balanced lives.

If you are struggling with a mental health issue, you can call the appointment line at Altru, 701-662-2157 and get an appointment with Annie. The first visit, which may take approximately one hour, will be a conversation around your current symptoms today and in the past. Annie will want to get to know you first to understand why you are seeking treatment. There are lots of questions to start. Through the assessment process, Annie will work with you to determine what therapy may be most beneficial. Treatment may include talk therapy or counseling, further evaluation with testing to identify any other causes for your symptoms, or medication management. “Everyone is unique and has different needs,” Gerhardt said.

If there is a concern about a mental health issue, don’t wait for things to go out of control to ask for help. Talk to your primary healthcare provider or schedule an appointment to see someone. Sometimes an early intervention can save jobs, relationships, and improve overall health. She encourages everyone to reach out early especially if you notice stress or symptoms are interfering with your ability to work, taking care of yourself, or relationships with others. Patients don’t necessarily need a referral from their primary care giver, but for insurance purposes, that might be helpful. Some insurances require a referral, some do not. It’s always best to check with your insurance provider first, to make sure.

Gerhardt pointed out the community of Devils Lake has resources for those seeking mental health services including the care she is providing through Altru Clinic Devils Lake, Lake Region Human Services Center, your primary care provider, Fort Totten Behavioral Health Clinic, LifeWise Associates, Evolution Counseling, and several other therapy centers. If you or loved one needs emergency mental health care, you can call 988 or 911. Our local crisis phone number is 701-662-5050. Please remember you are not alone!