CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Watauga Library unveils Vaya mental screening kiosk

The Watauga Democrat - 6/23/2017

BOONE - A new feature is now in the Watauga County Public Libary as Vaya Health introduced its mental health "Mindkare" kiosk on Thursday morning.

"On behalf of Vaya, we're excited to be here today and introduced our new Mindkare Kiosk in Watauga County," said Danyale Isaacs of Vaya Health, formerly Smoky Mountain Center.

The kiosk has a computer for individuals to take a survey regarding their mental health, and individuals can receive information, according to Isaacs. The survey takes around five minutes and screens for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating or substance abuse disorders.

"It's not a diagnostic machine, but evidence based and shows if the results are consistent with a mental health disorder," Isaacs explained.

The kiosk has a phone that connects to the Vaya Customer Service Center, which is open 24 hours. Individuals can schedule appointments through Daymark Recovery Services or be guided to the right services based on their health care status. Individuals can also find the resources they need and send it to their email.

Isaacs said that soon there will be 23 kiosks in 23 Western North Carolina counties, including all three branches of the Appalachian Regional Library.

"Public libraries see people of all socio-economic backgrounds; anyone can come," said Jane Blackburn, director of libraries with ARL. "It's free, confidential and private."

Anonymity was a big point of emphasis, with Isaacs and Kennedy noting that the survey is anonymous and private.

"If someone doesn't want to take the survey here, they can take a card and do the survey online at home," Isaacs noted. "De-stigmatizing mental health disorders will take time."

"We want to get people to think about mental health," Kennedy said. "Some people are more private about their needs, but every age if affected."

Isaacs also noted that kiosks already established in other counties have been "very well received."

The Mindkare Kiosk Program is funded through Vaya's Community and Capital Reinvestment Plan. Vaya changed its name from the Smoky Mountain Center around a year ago to better reflect its mission, according to Kennedy.