McLaren Bay Region in August will launch a new program to help people struggling with behavioral health issues in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Called the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), the new service provides a voluntary day treatment program for adults who have acute behavioral health symptoms, but do not need or qualify for inpatient care. The program is a comprehensive, short term service to help individuals achieve their maximum functioning.
A general day in the PHP program runs from 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in a secure and structured environment. Each day, program participants consult with an attending psychiatrist and are actively involved in group therapy, activity therapy, and educational groups. Patients are also assigned a case manager to help them identify ways to meet their treatment goals, navigate their way through the program, and assist them with any additional appointments or visits to referral sources they may need.
PHP treatment has proven to be beneficial for a variety of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, behavioral disorders co-occurring with substance abuse issues, and more. The program can also provide a helpful transition for someone who is stepping down from inpatient care and would benefit from continued treatment.
“We have seen a sharp increase in the number of behavioral health patients over the past five years, and over time we noticed there was a gap in services between inpatient treatment and traditional outpatient therapy,” said Jennifer Whyte, Program Manager for McLaren Bay Region Behavioral Health. “People who come to our inpatient unit are already in some form of crisis, and the partial hospitalization program will allow us to help people faster and reach them before they are in crisis.”
Skills developed during the PHP include management of anger, anxiety and stress, medication education, relapse prevention, healthy coping skills and more. Discharge planning also plays a key role in helping participants prepare for life after the PHP and making sure they have access to helpful resources.
To be admitted to the PHP, individuals must be at least 18 years of age and have a professional referral. Referrals may come from a psychiatrist, primary care physician, social worker, therapist, emergency room provider, or other medical professional. The program accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
The Partial Hospitalization Program will begin accepting admissions on August 1, 2018, and the program will officially launch its first sessions on Monday, August 6. To learn more about the program or to begin the registration process, visit mclaren.org/BAYPHP or call (989) 667-6231.
McLaren Bay Region will also host a PHP educational seminar and facility tour on Wednesday, August 29 and Tuesday, September 11 at 6 p.m. on McLaren Bay Region’s West Campus at 3250 E. Midland Rd., Suite 3 in Bay City, MI. Community members are invited to attend to learn more about the program. The seminar is free, but registration is required by calling 1-877-411-2762 or visiting mclaren.org/bayseminar.