Erica Clemens – Powerlist – Health Care

Erica Clemens is focused on bridging gaps for mental health services.

In January she was named program director for mental health services at West Valley Medical Center, a role fitting of her experience in behavioral health and social work. In September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month, Clemens and her team brought awareness to the cause and offered education around the topic.

“I want to empower people to take the time to reach out to someone,” Clemens said of her work at the time. “You don’t need to have all of the answers. Anyone can help. Lending an ear is a form of prevention.”

Clemens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received her master’s degree in social work from Northwest Nazarene University. Having worked as a clinician and case manager, she has worked within inpatient and outpatient mental health settings throughout her career; she joined West Valley Medical Center in January 2019.

With the medical center, Clemens is also focused on creating opportunities for the West Valley Partial Hospitalization Program, which focuses on medication management, healthy coping skills and processing mental health symptoms individually and in group settings. Efforts include helping clients engage in healthy relationships and improve on quality of life and encouraging safety to those feeling unstable.

“Mental health is breaking through years of stigma and people are starting to reach out for help,” Clemens said. “I want to ensure our community knows that we are here and ready to meet their needs, whether that be through inpatient or outpatient treatment.”