RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) –Breaking down barriers to provide better mental health treatment for veterans.

Teams across the state are working with a local doctor to help bring important mental health resources to vets in need.

Dr. Pavlis saw gaps in mental health care for veterans and wanted to close them and provide personal care for each person fighting their own battle.

“Part of the stigma is this cookie-cutter template, here’s the rules. So then mental health becomes further stigmatized that we can’t get the care we need. So breaking that barrier is an important part of what we do. Giving them a good, safe place to be and to let them know that we’re on their side,” MWI Health Owner & Founder Dr. Clay Pavlis said.

“Coming from the military there’s sort of this expectation that they have to be strong, or that they can’t really share learnable things or they can’t cry, no emotions are allowed. So I think a part of breaking that barrier is letting them know that it is ok, they don’t always have to be strong and put on that front,” Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Meghan Corr said.

Dr. Pavlis is able to connect with veterans because of his own service and experiences.

“…and that’s my opening message with them, that I’m there to serve them. I’m there to help them, I’m on their side. I’m going to help with some of the forms and the red tape and solve the weird stuff they have to go through and not understand and I have that knowledge maybe from my military background,” Pavlis said.

MWI Health is a resource to help vets know that they are not alone.

“It is ok to take care of your mental health or that you do need help. That’s just another thing that we try to really be open and accepting of whatever they’ve been through without judgment. Letting them know that it’s ok and that we’re proud of them for reaching out for the help that they need,” Corr said.

If you or a veteran you know is struggling with your mental health, services like MWI Health are there to lend a hand.