Hope For Treatment-Resistant Depression
Press Release
Contact Information:
Sanford Behavioral Health – REMS Certified Facility
Marilyn Spiller – mspiller@sanfordhouse.com
For Immediate Release
Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression
SANFORD SPRAVATO (esketamine) CLINIC
“SPRAVATO (esketamine) is a new way to treat depression as it addresses a neurotransmitter system that we did not previously put much emphasis on. It is a paradigm shift from what we’ve been used to focusing on when treating depression.” Dr. Samarth Bhandari, MD
[Marne, Michigan, April 23, 2025] – At Sanford Behavioral Health, we have a history of adapting to the needs of our patients and the community in Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan. Given the depth of our collaborative care team, we saw an opportunity to serve a larger population with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus in Marne. Working with Sanford Medical Specialists, PLLC, the Sanford SPRAVATO Clinic enables us to provide life-changing and potentially life-saving treatment for depression. The SPRAVATO (esketamine) service is available for new patients seeking innovative care, those referred by an outpatient psychiatrist or primary care provider, and current Sanford patients.
The FDA has approved SPRAVATO for treatment-resistant depression. This means a client has been depressed and has been taking a minimum of two antidepressant trials for 12 weeks without improvement in symptoms. At Sanford, we see a significant improvement or reduction in depressive symptoms from both patients and screening tools for depression, like the PHQ-9. We use a higher threshold for treatment with patients who have a history of substance use because of the potential risk of misuse. At the initial appointment, a psychiatric assessment determines whether SPRAVATO is appropriate. Alternatively, clients can see a Sanford psychiatrist in an outpatient setting.
What is SPRAVATO (esketamine)?
SPRAVATO is an intranasal spray, self-administered under the auspices of a doctor’s care. It is not a safe practice to combine medications, alcohol, or other drugs with esketamine treatment. At Sanford, we do not allow esketamine to be taken outside of the clinic for this reason. SPRAVATO must be administered under the guidance of a REMS-qualified facility, as mandated by the FDA. A REMS facility is FDA-certified to administer a drug that has a “risk evaluation and mitigation strategy.”
Fast-Acting Response to Treatment
The response to treatment is rapid; typically, within 24 hours of the initial treatment, patients report a reduction in symptoms, sometimes a significant decrease in suicidality. Suicidal ideation is a danger with depression and TRD.
Sanford Clinical Manager Hilary Fowler, MSN, PMHNP, CPNP, says, “The most exciting thing about SPRAVATO is that we can get clients who are unsafe and have chronic suicidality to a point where, for the first time in their lives, they are having a remission or significant reduction in those feelings. I am personally treating a client who has a comorbid substance use disorder in remission and an active eating disorder. This individual has been struggling with depression for their entire life. However, in the last three months, we have seen a significant reduction in suicidality and self-harm urges.”
Another promising benefit of esketamine is its potential as an alternative to medication. Our clients can potentially come off years of medications that have not been helpful once they become stable on SPRAVATO. Under the guidance of a provider, when you meet appropriate criteria, and when it is administered by a REMS facility that monitors results, SPRAVATO is safe.
For more information on the Sanford SPRAVATO (esketamine) Clinic, CLICK HERE.
Sanford Behavioral Health
15146 16th Avenue
Marne, Michigan 49435
616.202.3326 ext. 1
sanfordbehavioralhealth.com
email@sanfordhouse.com
