1. Vaya Health Northern Region
Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty Team
Overview
Toll-free access to services: / Relay NC TTY-711

2. What is the Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty Team (GAMHST, GAST, or GERO)?
Teams are made up of a registered nurse, a licensed therapist, and a qualified mental health professional.
GAMHST is a North Carolina State Funded Program.
There are 4 total teams serving the 28 counties throughout Western North Carolina.

3. Target Audience/ Group?
Staff of long-term care facilities, and Assisted Living
Senior Centers
Meals on Wheels
Law Enforcement and First Responders
Faith Based-Communities
Home Health
Homeless Shelters/Homeless Programs

4. What are GAMHST Goals?
Increase or enhance understanding of mental illness.
Enhance caregiver’s ability to successfully care for adults with mental illness.
Enhance caregiver’s skills and techniques to assist in prevention of escalating behaviors that could result in psychiatric hospitalization.
Provide support during the transition from a psychiatric hospital to a private residence or long-term care facility.

5. Who is Supported by GAMHST?
Provide service to staff of Targeted Groups
Topic specific training for direct care staff, accredited by the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) for education Contact Hours.
Training or education may be provided to other agencies or providers serving older adults with mental illness
(The team does not provide direct services to the persons residing in long-term care such as counseling, case management, or therapy).

6. What Area Does the Team Serve?
The Vaya Health Northern Region Team covers:
Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Iredell, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties
If you need support outside of these counties, the team can connect you to other teams across the state.

7. How are Referrals Made? Referrals are accepted from anyone.
Call, , or fax a Referral Form to the team.
Each team is available outside of normal business hours for training or one on one support.
Teams do not provide on-call services.

8. How do I Contact the Team?
PHONE: RN
Clinician
Julie Dollar, MA, LPC, LCASA
(336) Ext: 3342
QMHP
Mandy Matney, SW
(336) Ext: 4442