It’s been a long time coming, but WhidbeyHealth is now offering dedicated behavioral health care to residents of Whidbey Island.

And hospital officials said they hope to expand the services in the future and possibly add telehealth.

Mariana Nibley is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner who has years of experience working with both adolescents and adults who suffer from a range of mental health challenges. She is now seeing patients at the walk-in clinic in Oak Harbor and the primary care office in Freeland. Although she’s working out of the walk-in office, an appointment is required to see her.

Nibley sees patients ages 13 and up.

Dr. Garth Miller, chief operating officer, said hospital officials were aware of big gaps in coverage on Whidbey when in comes to mental health treatment, especially the Medicare-age population.

“After years of work we are pleased to begin offering these services to our friends, neighbors and community,” he said in a statement from the hospital. “Behavioral Health is much more than treating a psychological state, but diagnoses a patient’s physical condition and supports strategic growth and progress for treating the holistic patient.”

Tabitha Sierra, Behavioral Health Program manager and birthplace manager, said hospital and public health officials on the island have a lot of concern for the youth when it comes to mental and behavioral health. Both surveys and anecdotal evidence have shown issues like depression and risky behavior have become more prevalent, especially since the pandemic.

“Everybody recognizes that we need help,” she said.

Nibley explained that she can help people with a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, OCD, gender dysphoria, impulse control disorders and disorders on the schizophrenia spectrum. The conditions and treatment can be complex and challenging, which is why hospital officials wanted to bring in a specialist in treating such disorders.

“There are a lot of struggles people are dealing with every day,” she said.

Many people on Whidbey with mental health challenges see primary care physicians for help. Those doctors, however, may not be able to spend the amount of time with patients necessary to truly figure out what’s happening with them.

Much of what she does, Nibley said, is medication management. For some patients, she may see them long term. For others, she might help design a treatment plan and they can return to seeing a primary provider.

Hospital officials are working with other agencies, including Island County Human Services, to reach underserved people in the community.

“We have big hopes for growing because the need is there,” Nibley said.