FULL TREATMENT

When Relief Mental Health first opened its doors in Oak Brook, it was called Relief TMS and was one of just a few mental health providers at the time that offered Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS Therapy) to patients suffering from depression.

Since opening in 2020, the company expanded its services and changed its name to Relief Mental Health to reflect its broadened mental health solution options. Still offering TMS Therapy, the company now provides FDA-approved psychedelics treatment for depression, traditional therapy, and medication management. TMS and psychedelics are particularly effective in treating chronic depression for those whom other treatments, such as antidepressants, were unsuccessful.

Recent studies and surveys have shown a spike—some say an epidemic—in mental health issues among groups of all ages. Depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts have increased, especially among younger generations. Celebrities and athletes are more willing than ever to speak publicly about their mental health challenges, and that’s led to an expanded awareness among the public at large.

“Thinking over the past three years, there are a couple of things to keep in mind,” says Susan Mueller, Relief Mental Health’s CEO. “People are more prone to getting treatment and they’re more open about it because it’s being talked about more. And the way that COVID affected people’s mental health had a big impact.”

Mueller says how we view mental health has taken a turn in many ways. There’s so much more need because so many people are suffering, but it also means that more people are willing to get help which is really important.

Given this trend, Relief Mental Health’s growth and expanded therapy options couldn’t have come at a better time. Those suffering from depression, anxiety, or OCD know that when they walk through the practice’s doors, they can find a mental health solution that addresses their unique needs.

“Our company in general has changed so much. We now have ten locations, including Oak Brook, we have 100 employees, and services beyond what we were doing back in 2020,” Mueller says. “Oak Brook is still our flagship, but we have a lot more locations where we’re able to treat patients.”

One of the treatments Relief Mental Health is now offering is two forms of psychedelics. Spravato is an FDA-approved nasal spray treatment that is covered by most insurers, and ketamine, which is administered intravenously. Both are effective for treatment-resistant depression, but patients respond differently, so Relief Mental Health creates a custom plan for each patient, and they are monitored with expert care.

Medical staff at Relief Mental Health also have a wealth of experience treating patients with TMS. TMS treats depression, OCD, anxiety when it co-occurs with depression, even smoking addiction, using a medical device. There are a series of five 20-minute treatments per week for six weeks with a taper down period of three weeks. It’s done in Relief Mental Health’s clinic, and doesn’t have any systemic side effects, it’s covered by insurance and has about a 95 percent efficacy rate.

“There’s a lot more of a need for mental health care and there a lot more people who are willing to get it, that don’t feel so stigmatized,” says Mueller. “They don’t feel so much shame anymore because it’s so common to have mental health concerns.”

Relief Mental Health is located at 1100 Jorie Boulevard, Suite 300, in Oak Brook, 855-205-4764, reliefmh.com.