Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — This time of year many people experience depression, but for some, mental illness knows no season and psychiatric care is out of their financial reach.
In fact, less than 25 percent of the almost 120,000 Utahns who have serious mental health conditions actually receive treatment.
Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Noel Gardner though, more Utahns suffering from mental illness can get the attention needed.
Dr. Gardner, a practicing psychiatrist of 30 years, decided to open the Polizzi Clinic to offer free mental health treatment and counseling. There is no insurance required and no wait for critical medications and support.
This spring, Diana Rivera was in the first trimester of her second pregnancy.
"Everybody was expecting me to be happy and excited but I wasn't feeling like that," she said.
Rivera had called several psychiatrists, but with no insurance and a limited ability to pay, she had gotten rejection after rejection.
Rivera was desperate when she called the Polizzi Clinic.
"I was feeling like, oh no, something is going to happen or I'm going to die, or my baby is going to die, or my husband is going to die and I'm going to be alone with my two babies," said Rivera.
Dr. Gardner saw Rivera immediately and said Rivera's case is not unusual.
"The majority of our people come with anxiety, depression, but quite often severe forms of those," said Gardner.
In those cases, Polizzi psychiatrists and psychiatric advanced practice nurses give the patient a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, prescribe medication, and then schedule follow-up counseling sessions.
Margarida Park was battling severe depression when she visited the Polizzi Clinic for the first time. She was amazed at the care she received.
"It's not only the medication, it's the way I was welcomed here," said Park.
Park was welcomed by Dr. Chelsi MacMurray, who treated and counseled her for months. The grandmother was out of options.
"I lost my job! I couldn't take care of my grandkids — they are five boys — and I was sleeping, sleeping all the time," said Park.
When it comes to mental health, Gardner said the gap between the insured and uninsured couldn't be wider or more dangerous.
"It becomes a self perpetuating sort of disaster where they can't get well enough to get back to work," Gardner said.
The majority of our people come with anxiety, depression, but quite often severe forms of those.
–Dr. Noel Gardner, psychiatrist
Gardner recognized the need to cover the gap in mental health care after volunteering his services at the nearby Maliheh Clinic. There, patients can get free medical care but often need mental health counseling to get healthy. Having the Polizzi Clinic down the street has been a blessing, according to Dr. George VanKomen, who volunteers at Maliheh Clinic.
"It's just a wonderful resource to have because we don't have that kind of care or facility available here at this clinic," VanKomen said.
Gardner said it has been a joy to give Polizzi's patients the ability to live normal lives again. In fact, Park has a positive attitude again and is volunteering three days a week at the Taylorsville Food Bank.
Meanwhile, Rivera will welcome a new baby in just three weeks, after recently having a baby shower.
"I am happy most of the days, and I have hope for the future," Rivera said.
"I don't think anything has given me greater pleasure and joy than doing the work that I do here at Polizzi," Garner said.
If you'd like to learn more about the clinic or donate to keep the Polizzi open and serving the mentally ill, visit the Polizzi Clinic's website here.
