ISU opens new psychiatric center to train more doctors

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)—Some emotional support is coming to Bannock County. Idaho State University had a grand opening event for their new Psychiatric Center Thursday.

Idahoans are in desperate need of access to mental health care. According to Dr. Daisha Orchard, one of Pocatello's only psychiatrists, at the grand opening of Idaho State University’s 'Community Psychiatric Center' today.

"Idaho actually ranks last out of all the states for how many psychiatrists they have per capita. There's about one psychiatrist for every 16,000 people here in Idaho. And the psychiatrists aren't here in Pocatello," Orchard said.

The Center will offer psychiatric screenings, access to mental health medications, and other resources that weren’t available in the Pocatello area before.

ISU’s medical leaders said they also hope to break the stigma of getting help for mental health conditions. "There is, unfortunately, still some hesitation and shame in seeking out care for mental health problems. And it's our job to make it easy, make it acceptable, desirable," Dr. Johnathan Creem, ISU Department of Family Medicine chair, said.

The center will also train new psychiatrist and doctors that ISU leaders hope will stay in the area to provide even better access to care in the future.

"When we train people in our communities, physicians within our communities, and other health professionals as well, they tend to stay within the community," Dr. Rex Force, ISU Health Sciences Vice President said.

Idaho State University's Community Psychiatric Center is now open to serve both students and the public. In Pocatello, Sam Ross, Local News 8.

The center is located at 421 Memorial Drive in Pocatello.