Addiction Medicine Services

As we take a trip through the human body, we eventually reach the mind, holding the keys to our thoughts, memories and behaviors. And although the mind is resilient, it might not always feel that way, especially amidst the obstacles many face day-by-day. That’s where the importance of mental healthcare comes in – and northern Nevada needs it more than ever. In Washoe County alone, nearly one in five community members reported two or more straight weeks of poor mental health. With feelings of distress, depression, anxiety and stress on the rise, not to mention how addiction disproportionately affects Nevadans, we need a team of professionals devoted to helping the mind heal. Enter the Behavioral Health department at Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), where healing always remains top of mind (pun intended). From the providers on the frontlines to the administrative staff handling everything behind-the-scenes, every member of this team has one commitment in mind: standing beside people as they find their way forward.

As a society that often feels dominated by the “rise and grind” culture and is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, feelings of stress, anxiety and depression have risen in recent years. As reported by the American Psychological Association, one-third of adults across the country said they feel completely stressed out no matter what they try to manage it. 36% of adults don’t know where to start regarding stress management. One way to help bring yourself (and your mental health) peace is by embracing the miles upon miles of nature and forested lands we are fortunate to have right here in northern Nevada. A practice that has gained significant attention in recent years is the Japanese notion of Shinrin-yoku, otherwise known as “forest bathing.”

Reviewed by Dr. Takesha Cooper, MD, MS, FAPA, Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Professor of Psychiatry at University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Chief of Behavioral Health at Renown Health