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Trillium Health Resources will soon launch six new mobile integrated care units, including one that will serve Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

Trillium is partnering with PORT Health, Monarch, Coastal Horizons and RHA Health Services to launch the new units. Funding is provided through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse Treatment Block Grant.

Trillium said in a press release that while the services provided on each unit may vary based on local demands, the list of services will include mental health screenings; general health checkups; vaccinations, such as flu or pneumonia; substance use disorder treatment; traditional therapy; assertive outreach; medication management via telemedicine; care management; and peer support.

“Trillium saw the pandemic as a reminder of the health care disparities experienced by people of color, rural residents and Medicaid-insured individuals across the 27 counties we serve,” the release says. “In response, we launched the One Community Initiative to address the stress, anxiety, depression and general mental health challenges caused by the pandemic. Across the United States, we’ve seen an influx of mental health crises amid the anxiety and grief of the pandemic. Unfortunately, emergency rooms have been serving as a primary resource for many suffering from these crises, particularly those who are uninsured, Medicaid-insured, or people of color.”

RHA is the provider that will cover the unit in Beaufort County’s area. Monarch will cover the unit in Halifax, Gates, Northampton and Nash counties; PORT will cover one unit for Dare and Carteret counties, and a second unit that will support disaster relief efforts after hurricanes or similar events; and Coastal Horizons will cover one unit for Columbus and Brunswick counties, and a second unit for Bladen County, which is joining Trillium’s catchment area in February 2022.

A first unit was launched this year with PORT, serving Chowan, Perquimans and Pasquotank counties.

“This pandemic has provided physical evidence to the disparities experienced by people of color and rural residents in our health care system,” said Cindy Ehlers, executive vice president with Trillium. “If provider locations are not accessible or available, people often miss basic treatments or procedures for preventable conditions. Trillium is excited to work with these providers to meet our communities where they live to help ease access and improve their wellbeing.”