CVS Health Launches Mental Health Services in Tampa

TAMPA BAY, FL — With triple the number of Tampa’s community members reporting anxiety and depression due to the pandemic, the need for mental health resources has escalated rapidly due to COVID-19.

At No. 48, Florida ranks among the lowest states for access to mental health care. CVS Health is directly addressing the urgent need by connecting community members with newly launched mental health counseling and care services at five Tampa-area MinuteClinics inside CVS HealthHUB store locations.

To help alleviate the stress many people face when considering therapy, CVS Health has added licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) to its MinuteClinic staff at these locations, offering a new option for mental health counseling services in the local community. Through these expanded MinuteClinic services, people can receive private mental health assessments, counseling and personalized care plans and referrals to a higher level of care as needed, in-person in the clinics or through a video consultation. Appointments are available days, evenings and weekends.

“With the addition of these new services at MinuteClinic, we’re now able to offer the community an innovative, straight-forward approach to mental health care counseling,” said Angela Patterson, chief nurse practitioner officer of MinuteClinic and vice president of CVS Health. “The addition of the LCSWs are a key asset supporting CVS Health’s opportunity to provide access to mental health care on the community level at MinuteClinic.”

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has put a significant strain on both the mental health of Tampa residents and its mental health resources, even pre-pandemic, mental health and access to care were listed as top important health issues within the community.

The new MinuteClinic services in select HealthHUB locations address both of these priorities, with a goal to increase access to mental health care and more for community members in need both in-person and virtually.

“Too often, mental wellbeing is overlooked as an integral part of overall health, and many Tampa residents have historically found it challenging to access appropriate care,” said Brian Hughes, senior director of HealthHUB Strategy for the Tampa area. “We want to give individuals an easier and more effective way to receive support quickly, on their own schedule, and right in their neighborhood.”

CVS Health customers interested in the new mental health counseling services can expect:

An introductory conversation:

• During the initial assessment, a LCSW will help assess an individual’s current situation and explore potential options for care.

Personalized care planning:

• The LCSW will create an individualized care plan with the goal of improving an individual’s mental health and total wellbeing.

Counseling services for continual support:

• Ongoing counseling sessions with a LCSW are available to help address each individual’s areas of concern, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Navigation & collaboration:

• If an individual has a need for higher levels of care, the MinuteClinic LCSWs will work with a local provider network based on the individual’s health care plan and coverage status. They will assist with finding an appropriate specialist and collaborate with the individual’s existing providers, when appropriate.

To learn more and schedule an in-store or telehealth appointment, call 1-855-417-2486 or visit cvs.com/mentalhealth.

Mental health counseling services are currently available at MinuteClinics within the following Tampa regional CVS HealthHUB locations:

• 303 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33761
• 5905 U.S. 301 S., Riverview, FL 33578
• 5357 Ehrlich Road, Tampa, FL 33625
• 8905 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL 33777
• 8001 9th St. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702

The company plans to expand the new mental health counseling services to additional communities this year.

CVS Health created HealthHUBs to help people manage their wellbeing more conveniently and affordably by improving the overall health care experience and featuring a wide array of accessible health and wellness products, clinical services and expertise. Learn more at cvs.com/healthhub.