This week, we continue to introduce members of our behavioral health team. Today, we meet Ashley Brooks and Santresda Johnson who serve as clinicians in the behavioral emergency services department.

Ashley Brooks shares with us in her own words:

My name is Ashley Brooks and I work in the Behavioral Health Emergency Services department as a clinician. I am originally from Southeast Mississippi but moved to Bethel two years ago. In this position, I manage the crisis phone for all the surrounding villages and am able to help patients that are suffering from a number of crises.

When receiving a call from the crisis line, we often work alongside the village and or tribal police officers (VPO/TPO) and the village clinic staff to develop safety options for patients. Oftentimes, patients require travel into the Bethel emergency department for assessment under Title 47.  My job’s main focus is to assist patients that are suffering from suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, and patients who are gravely disabled.

I often spend a majority of my time in the emergency department completing assessments to help determine the best treatment for patient’s living with mental illness.  In the emergency department, my job consists of collaborating closely with the provider and together we evaluate the severity level of each patient’s symptoms. I am able to provide resources to patients as well as assist in the admission to our DES (Designated Evaluation and Stabilization) Unit.

The DES unit is where I complete ongoing evaluations to determine the level of care that best fits the patient’s needs.  On the DES unit, we work with the court system if the patient requires further hospitalization in places such as Anchorage, Wasilla, or Juneau that would be more appropriate for their needs.

I enjoy my role in this department because I am able to see my patients progress in their treatment, to stabilize from their severe episodes.  Emergency services has always been a passion of mine and is a field that requires patience and empathy. 

Now we hear about Santresda Johnson, PhD:

These are exciting times for Santresda Johnson, PhD, who is living in Bethel, Alaska, and is employed in the Behavioral Health Emergency Service department. Santresda has been working towards licensure as a clinician and has now received her license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Santresda Johnson, PhD, explains, it is magnificent to meet people in Emergency Services and discuss the next lines of treatment or a safety plan with the person seeking services. Receiving this license (LPC) in Alaska will now allow me more access to providing much needed services including coping strategies, and promoting emotional health to stop toxic thinking is now more possible with the LPC in beautiful Alaska. The LPC adds a new layer of independence to focus on renewing mental health and strengthening peoples coping skills.