Revolutionizing Mental Health: High Plains Mental Health Center Introduces Transcranial Magnetic stimulation for Treatment-Resistant depression
For individuals battling treatment-resistant depression, hope has arrived in the form of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a groundbreaking therapy now available at High Plains Mental Health Center in Kansas. This innovative treatment is transforming lives, offering new pathways too recovery for those who have tired conventional medication options.
A Breakthrough in Depression Treatment
TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. Approved for major depressive disorder, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, the treatment is available for patients as young as 15 and adults of any age.
Dr. Mark Romereim, medical director at High Plains, explains the urgency of this innovation: “By the time someone takes a fourth medication, there’s less than a 4% chance of them getting any benefit from it.” Wiht 10% to 15% of the population experiencing depression at any given time—and up to a quarter of those cases being treatment-resistant—the need for effective alternatives is critical.
How TMS Works
The TMS unit, resembling a dental chair, is placed next to the patient’s head. It delivers electromagnetic pulses that induce electrical changes in the brain, fostering the creation of new neural pathways. Each session lasts about 19 minutes, and patients can resume normal activities immediately afterward.
“The treatment is outpatient, requires no anesthesia, and allows patients to drive themselves to and from appointments,” Romereim notes.
Proven Success Rates
The results speak for themselves. Patients undergoing TMS have an 83% chance of improvement and a 62% chance of symptom relief and remission. In comparison, inhaled ketamine, another treatment for resistant depression, has a 67% response rate and a 35% remission rate.
Craig Poe, executive director at High Plains, emphasizes the transformative potential of TMS: “It adds the layer of get me in and get treated and come back in a year or not at all, and not experience depression at all, which is life-changing.”
A first in Kansas
High Plains Mental Health Center is the first community mental health center in Kansas to offer TMS, positioning itself as a pioneer in mental health care. “For us to be the first … It’s importent for us to do something because this is an unmet need, and we want to do everything possible to help our people in northwest Kansas and treat depression using the most effective treatments available,” Romereim says.
A Glimpse into the Future
As TMS continues to gain traction nationwide, its success in treating treatment-resistant depression is undeniable. “This is by far the most effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression,” Romereim asserts.
For those seeking relief from the grips of depression, TMS offers a beacon of hope—a chance to reclaim thier lives and experience lasting change.
| Treatment | Response Rate | Remission Rate |
|————————-|——————-|——————–|
| Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) | 83% | 62% |
| Inhaled Ketamine | 67% | 35% |
High Plains Mental Health Center’s adoption of TMS marks a meaningful step forward in mental health care, offering a lifeline to those who need it most.
Transforming Lives: How TMS Therapy is Revolutionizing Mental Health Treatment in Kansas
For individuals battling chronic depression, transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy is emerging as a groundbreaking treatment option. at the High Plains Mental Health Center in northwest kansas, this innovative therapy is offering hope to those who have struggled with depression for decades.
What is TMS Therapy?
TMS therapy is a non-invasive outpatient treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. A typical course involves daily sessions, five days a week, for seven weeks—totaling 36 treatments. According to providers, the therapy has minimal side effects, with some patients reporting mild headaches or a tapping sensation at the treatment site. These symptoms often subside within the first week.
However, TMS is not suitable for individuals with ferrous metal in their heads or necks, though pacemakers are unaffected. The NeuroStar TMS unit, used by High Plains, has been in operation for 20 years and has treated over 180,000 people nationwide.
Life-Changing Results
As introducing TMS therapy in August, High Plains has treated 18 patients, with five more currently undergoing treatment. “We are seeing consistent results. One person, it didn’t help,” said Romereim, a provider at the center. “When it effectively works, it’s nothing short of phenomenal.”
For many, the therapy has been transformative. “To take someone who has been depressed anywhere from 10 to 30 years or their entire adult life,and now they’re not,” Romereim shared. The treatment has enabled patients to transition from being nonfunctional and on disability to becoming employed and active members of their communities.
Long-Term Benefits and Cost Considerations
One-third of patients may need to repeat the treatment after a year, but two-thirds experience long-lasting benefits without further intervention. While Medicare and most private insurance companies cover TMS, Medicaid does not currently cover the treatment in Kansas. This leaves patients with an out-of-pocket cost of $8,000.
High Plains and other mental health providers are lobbying the Kansas Legislature to expand Medicaid coverage for TMS.”It’s hard to talk about things that might actually cure somebody in this type of industry, but it’s possible that we would move them to a much better life because of Medicaid reimbursing for this service,” said Poe, a representative from High Plains.
Preventing Hospitalizations and Saving Lives
Romereim emphasized the broader impact of TMS therapy.”You can’t put a number on [lives], but you can put a number on hospitalizations,” he said. “We are seeing people treated with this who are not going to need to be hospitalized.” By preventing severe depressive episodes and suicide, TMS is proving to be a life-saving intervention.
Expanding Access to TMS
High Plains invested $150,000 to purchase its TMS unit, which can serve 50 to 70 people annually. However, with a service area covering 20 counties in northwest kansas, the demand far exceeds capacity. “Only being able to give 50 to 60 people that benefit a year is something another machine would help us alleviate,” Poe explained. The center is actively seeking donations to purchase additional units and expand access to this life-changing treatment.
How to Access TMS Therapy
If you or a loved one is interested in TMS therapy, contact High Plains Mental Health Center at 785-628-2871 to find the nearest service location. For immediate assistance, call their 24/7 crisis hotline at 1-800-432-0333 or text/call 988.You can also visit their website or follow them on Facebook for updates.
| Key Facts About TMS Therapy |
|———————————-|
| Treatment Duration | 36 sessions over 7 weeks |
| Side Effects | mild headaches, tapping sensation |
| Cost | $8,000 (if not covered by insurance) |
| Coverage | Medicare and most private insurers; Medicaid in 25 states |
| Success Rate | Two-thirds experience long-term benefits |
TMS therapy is more than just a treatment—it’s a lifeline for those who have lost hope. With continued advocacy and support, High Plains aims to make this transformative therapy accessible to even more individuals in need.