Reading Hospital announced that it will introduce MindKare Mental Health Kiosks in Reading HealthPlex lobby, beginning Thursday, December 14. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. on December 14 in the HealthPlex lobby to reveal the new kiosk with remarks from Clint Matthews, President and CEO, Tower Health and Reading Hospital; Kolin Good, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Reading Hospital; and Katherine Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation.
The Reading Hospital kiosk was fully funded by a grant from Reading Hospital Foundation. The kiosks utilize an anonymous online screening platform developed by Screening for Mental Health, Inc., (SMH) a national nonprofit that provides innovative mental health and substance use resources, linking those in need to quality treatment options.
Currently, one in four Americans has a diagnosable mental health condition yet the vast majority (70%) does not seek treatment. A leading deterrent for seeking treatment for those living with these conditions is fear and stigma.
MindKare Mental Health Kiosks are designed for use in public spaces, and aim to reduce stigma by making learning about and screening for treatable conditions like depression or anxiety as commonplace as a blood pressure screening. The kiosk includes a touch screen display to provide users with a seamless experience as they navigate through educational information about mental health conditions, a screening assessment, and local treatment resources. The screening component provides a quick, anonymous way for people to check in on their mental health.
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.