This Georgia pediatrician is trying to fix care deserts

Conversations about bettering our mental health have permeated almost every edge of society, with access to care advertised on billboards and podcasts. But for some, especially in areas near and surrounding metro Atlanta, the lack of access to mental health care has created what is essentially a care desert — and can carry big complications.

“A delay in care or delay in identification of a mental health condition frequently leads to comorbid conditions, such as anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders, which makes it more difficult to treat and manage,” Dr. Melinda Willingham told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Willingham, a pediatrician and ADHD specialist, has dedicated her efforts to providing evidence-based mental health care to communities with low access. In Snellvi