SGCMH Welcomes New Mental Health Provider
10/30/2023
Ste. Genevieve, MO. Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital Medical Staff welcomes Rebecca Dalton, PMHNP, APRN, a new mental health care provider to its team.
Dalton received her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification in 2022, and most recently worked at Advanced Psychiatric Services.
One of the reasons she pursued a career in mental health was because there is a lack of understanding regarding mental health issues and therapy.
“I just think there’s a whole lot of stigma about mental health, and I really just wanted to get out there and raise awareness that it’s ok to come and talk to me,” Dalton said. “I’m going to listen to you and we’re going to figure it out together. I’m pretty easy to talk to, and the patient and I are a team.”
Dalton acknowledged a shortage of mental health providers pre-COVID and now post COVID, there appears to be an even greater need.
“During COVID, we had more patients staying at home and we’re seeing a lot more depression now,” she explained. “People didn’t engage in a lot of social activities, and many were just kind of stuck in their homes, especially our elderly population. They were understandably scared of COVID. But we’re now seeing the ramifications of the pandemic on mental health.”
Dalton said, unlike most illnesses that can be diagnosed through diagnostic scans or lab tests, mental health issues rely on one-on-one communication.
“A lot of it is a therapeutic relationship,” she said. “The patient has to feel comfortable talking to you and you have to let them know that you’re going to help them because a lot of people are just scared of seeking mental health help. I want them to know its ok to ask for help.”
Dalton said she wasn’t familiar with Ste. Genevieve County Memorial before accepting the position.
“I did have a number of friends who completed their nursing clinicals at SGCMH, and they always told me how awesome it was and how friendly the atmosphere was here. That’s why I wanted to come here.”
She said she also wanted to practice in a rural setting.
“I think people are different in a rural setting,” she said. “They just seem to be friendlier, and I think I fit in with a rural community better.”
Dalton has a love for the outdoors and nature and will find plenty of that in Ste. Genevieve.
She will be practicing at the Pointe Basse Family Health Care five days a week and joins nurse practitioner Jared Arnett and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Brandie Filer in providing mental health care for the community.
Appointments can be made by calling 573-883-2782
Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital is a nonprofit county owned community hospital that works to continue to improve the health and well-being of the community. Our professional staff uses advanced technology and medicine to provide excellent, personalized, and compassionate healthcare. For more information on Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, visit stegenevievehospital.org.
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