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NORTHAMPTON COUNTY MH
520 E. Broad Street, Second Floor
Bethlehem, PA 18018-6395
Phone: 610-974-7555
TTY: 610-997-5840
Fax: 610-974-7596
Site Content (click on a subject to move to that area)
Vision and Mission Statement
Through a partnership of the mental health community, we will continue to develop, improve, and provide a full range of high quality, culturally competent, caring, and recovery-based community services that are flexible; consumer and family driven; and supportive of consumer responsibility, independence, empowerment, choice, satisfaction, and hope for the future.
Service Delivery
Mental Health services are targeted for adults who are seriously mentally ill and children/adolescents who are seriously emotionally disturbed or at-risk of becoming so. Initial access to our services is through our Information and Referral Unit. Staff members at our Mental Health Office are responsible for case managing ongoing services for consumers.
The following services are provided by the agency either directly or via contracts with area service providers: Crisis Intervention Services including Telephone Counseling, Mobile Crisis, and Crisis Residential Services; Outpatient Services; Targeted Case Management (Intensive Case Management and Resource Coordination); Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services; Community Treatment Team Services; Facility and Community Based Vocational Programs; Residential Services; Family Support Services; Housing Support Services; Social Rehabilitation Services; Family Based Services; Warmline Services. The agency also offers Disaster Mental Health Services.
Under the Student Assistance Program, mental health services are provided to students on site at area elementary, middle and high schools. Short-term inpatient services are provided by area hospitals on either a voluntary or involuntary basis. Service philosophy is consumer oriented (client-centered and strengths-based) with the goal of offering a continuum of recovery based services that allow persons to remain in their community. Services for children and adolescents are offered in accordance with CASSP core principals.
Deputy Administrator & Staff
Marjorie Martin
Deputy Administrator for MH
Phone: 610-974-7528
Maryann Druckenmiller
Adult Case Management Unit Supervisor,
Disaster Mental Health Team Coordinator
Phone: 610-974-7515
Brian Watson
Child/Adolescent Case Management Unit Supervisor
Phone: 610-997-5870
Debbie Nunes
Intensive Case Management Unit Supervisor
Phone: 610-997-5860
Wendy Heatley
CHIPP Coordinator
Phone: 610-974-7507
Michelle Johnson
CASSP Coordinator
Phone: 610-559-3268
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Program Goals
The program operates with these objectives:
- To provide persons with mental illness the opportunity to lead full and productive lives in their communities.
- To insure that persons with mental illness are accepted and valued within their communities.
- To insure that all components necessary for a comprehensive system of care are developed and expanded.
- To insure that the viewpoints and values of all interested parties are respected.
- To provide persons with mental illness with choices about and immediate access to needed services and supports.
- To insure that the rights and culture of persons with mental illness are respected in the delivery of services.
- To insure the quality and appropriateness of all services.
Access to Services
Access to services is through our Information and Referral Unit which is located at 45 North Second Street, Easton, PA 18042. This unit is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 610-559-3270. When a person calls into this unit, they will speak with an information and referral specialist who will review the caller’s concerns and service needs and direct that person to where these needs can best be met. Depending upon the information provided, the caller may be scheduled to meet with an intake specialist or may be referred directly to non-county treatment resources. The latter may occur if the caller qualifies for services provided elsewhere and/or if their insurance coverage requires them to use a specific provider network.
For those persons who are scheduled to meet with an intake specialist, an appointment will be scheduled within seven to ten days of the initial call. The intake appointment will be conducted at the Office of Mental Health located at 520 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Upon arrival, the consumer will be given a social history form to complete which will take approximately thirty minutes. The social history form can also be completed prior to the scheduled intake by downloading a copy from our website at the following link: http://www.northamptoncounty.org/northampton/lib/northampton/depts/
humanservices/mentalhealth/paperwork/mh_adult_intake.doc. Once the social history is completed an intake case manager will meet with the consumer to review the social history and discuss service needs. This intake interview also includes a discussion of confidentiality regulations, development of a treatment plan, completion of any needed releases of information, and a determination of financial liability for services (how much one can expect to pay for services on a monthly basis based upon income). The entire intake appointment will take from one and a half to two hours.
While the above procedure outlines the process for obtaining the majority of county funded mental health services, there are some services to which consumers have direct access without having to go through the formal intake process. These include Clubhouse Services, Warmline Services, Drop-In Center Services, and Crisis Intervention Services.
The regulatory base for the program is the MH/MR Act of 1966 and the Mental Health Procedures Act of 1976 with subsequent amendments. In addition, providers of service are required to comply with any and all existing regulations specific to the services that are provided by them.
Funding
Funding for the services we offer is provided by state, county and federal government and third party sources (private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, etc.). Additional funding for some services comes from consumer fees that are based upon a sliding-fee scale as determined by program regulations.
All county staff members are employed through the PA State Civil Service System and must meet the established criteria for each position. Non-county staff members are employed directly though the various agencies with whom we contract for services. Both county staff members and contracted staff members are required to meet the credentialing requirements of those regulations under which the various services operate.
Crisis Intervention Services
Crisis Intervention services are available 24 hours a day by calling 610-252-9060. The crisis unit is located at 45 North Second Street, Easton, PA 18042. Services include telephone counseling, mobile crisis, walk-in crisis, and assistance in accessing inpatient care and short-term crisis residential services.
Warmline Services
Warmline is a 24-hour telephone service for adults who are challenged by loneliness, confusion, and other mental health concerns or who need information about available services. Information specialists offer callers someone to listen to their concerns and feelings. This service is provided by Family Answers of the Lehigh Valley and is accessible by calling 610-820-8451/8549.
Disaster Mental Health (DMH)
Since 1996, Northampton County Mental Health has had a disaster response plan and a Disaster Crisis Outreach and Referral Team (DCORT). These DMH professionals are trained to assist county residents following traumatic natural and human-caused events. Over the years, members of our team have assisted with debriefing staff from provider agencies and area schools following traumatic events. Members of the team have provided assistance at FEMA Centers that have been set up in response to the devastating floods that have occurred in our area. Copies of some of the educational handouts we distribute can be found on our Forms and Documents page (see DMH titled items).
Our program is involved in ongoing preparedness planning with the American Red Cross, local emergency management personnel, local police departments, Lehigh County Mental Health, and the coroners' offices in Northampton and Lehigh Counties. Key areas of concern at this time are: (1) pandemic flu; (2) transportation accidents, especially the possibility of any major airline crash involving Lehigh Valley International Airport; (3) HazMat incidents; (4) workplace violence that results in serious injuries/deaths; and (5) acts of terrorism such as the use of weapons of mass destruction.
Assessment and treatment services are offered via these programs that include psychiatric evaluation, therapy and ongoing medication monitoring. Services are individualized, strengths-based, and are not time-limited. Services for all age groups are offered here:
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Cedar Point Family Services/
New Directions
(bi-lingual services available)
2456 Brodhead Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Phone: 610-758-8011
Concern Counseling Services
(does not accept Medicare)
90 S. Commerce Way, Suite 300
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Phone: 610-691-8401
Holcomb Behavioral Health
(does not accept Medicare)
929 Northampton Street
Easton, PA 18042
610-330-9862
LV Community Mental Health
(bi-lingual services available)
865 E. 4th Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 610-691-4357
Northwestern Human Services
(does not accept Medicare)
701 W. Broad Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-866-8331 |
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Cedar Point Family Services/
New Directions
(bi-lingual services available)
158-160 S. Third Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-250-3961
Haven House
Shettle Cottage
1530 Hanover Avenue
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone: 610-433-6181
Life Guidance
(bi-lingual services available)
19 E. Elizabeth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-865-1699
LV Community Mental Health
(bi-lingual services available)
226 Northampton Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-330-0489
Riverside Care
(does not accept Medicare)
44 E. Broad Street; Suite 020
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-868-0435
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Services for children and teens are also offered here:
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Pinebrook Services
175 S. 21st Street
Easton, PA 18042
610-559-8151
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Pinebrook Services
402 N. Fulton Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-432-3919 www.pinebrookservices.org |
For many consumers, clinics will offer prescription medications as a part of their treatment program. We've prepared a handout to help you get the maximum benefit from the medications you may be given. If you would like to view it, click here: Important Information About Medications.
Partial hospitalization is an intensive, outpatient, day-treatment program that consumers can attend for a maximum of 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, up to a maximum of 120 days per year. Northampton County MH has letters of agreement with several providers of partial hospitalization services.
School Based Services
As part of its Student Assistance Program, the County Mental Health Program contracts with Valley Youth House to provide on-site, short-term counseling services to students at area elementary, middle, and high schools located in Northampton County. These services are provided by mental health professionals and may include individual and group approaches. In the course of providing this service, these counselors may identify problems that would better be addressed through more intensive and/or long-term treatment approaches. In such instances, counselors will then make referrals to community-based services as appropriate. Referrals for school based services are made directly by on-site school personnel.
Family Based Mental Health Services
This is a team delivered service that is available to children and their families. The program consists of case management, family and individual therapy, and respite care services. Families are usually seen twice weekly but more contact can occur if warranted. Services are provided in the home/community and are time limited.
Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services
This is a service for children/adolescents who have Medical Assistance and who may or may not be enrolled in HealthChoices. Services include behavior specialist consultation, mobile therapy, and therapeutic staff support. Service mix and frequency are determined by the child’s individual needs based upon medical necessity criteria. Services are provided in the home/community. The County Mental Health Program provides coordination for this service. To view a list of area providers, click this link: P50 Providers. More information on this program can be obtained by contacting Eric Striba at 610-997-5874.
The Drop-In Center is open to all mental health consumers in Northampton County who are interested in meeting people and making new friends. It provides a friendly social atmosphere with scheduled daily activities including games, arts & crafts, discussion and education groups, vocational activities, and much more. Light refreshments are served daily. The location is:
The Well-Come Center
70 W. North Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-954-5501
Fax: 610-954-5702
The program operates Monday thru Friday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A van is available on scheduled days for transportation. The Center is operated by the Recovery Partnership.
Clubhouses
Modeled after the Fountain House program in New York City, the Clubhouse movement offers consumers interested in fulfilling work a guaranteed place to come, to belong, and to enjoy meaningful relationships as they seek the confidence and skills necessary to lead vocationally productive and socially satisfying lives. Two Clubhouse programs operate in Northampton County. Here is their contact information:
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Twin Rivers
60 N. 4th Street
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-250-9630 |
Unity House
117 W. 4th Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
Phone: 610-691-1580
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These sites are open Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 am till 4:00 pm and Fridays from 8:30 am till 3:00 pm. Consumers are encouraged to stop by for a visit. After-hour social activities are also scheduled.
Vocational/Employment Programs
Associated Production Services Inc. (APS)
950 Pembroke Road
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-867-6659
Contact: John Alex
APS is an affirmative industry program that provides an integrated, supported work environment in which trainees can experience employment in a manufacturing/packaging business or in a mobile workforce. The facility operates from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm, Monday thru Friday. Workers at APS earn a training wage and this job can be a vehicle for developing the skills needed to attain higher-paying jobs throughout the community. For more information contact John Alex, Habilitation Director.
Individualized Vocational Services (CREATIONS) / Good Shepherd Vocational Services
Phone: 610-776-3365
Contact: Cheryl Garr
This service is a specialized program designed to increase vocational opportunities for mental health consumers. A menu of vocational rehabilitation services are offered including; prevocational assessment, vocational exploration services, work issues groups, individual vocational counseling, job development, and job placement services. For more information contact Cheryl Garr.
Private Industry Council (PIC)
1601 Union Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18102
Phone: 610-437-5627
Contact: Nancy Johnson
PIC is a supported employment program that combines vocational assessment, placement of a consumer in a competitive job, on-the-job training, and long-term support. The worker will earn competitive wages while working in a flexible, individualized, consumer-centered program, guided by a team that includes staff members from PIC, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and NC Mental Health. For more information contact Nancy Johnson.
Administrative Case Management
All consumers who are actively involved with the Northampton County Mental Health Program initially receive this level of care. Consumers will continue at this level throughout the time their cases are active with us, unless we find they require a higher level of care known as targeted case management. Administrative case management services are designed to first provide an initial assessment and determination of eligibility for other mental health programs. Once this is determined, initial and ongoing service planning will occur which will result in linkages to selected services, authorization of these services, monitoring of services received, and outreach from the assigned Administrative Case Manager.
Targeted Case Management
Targeted case management refers to programs that provide intensive and goal-directed case management services to adults with serious and persistent mental illness and to children/adolescents who are seriously emotionally disturbed or at risk of becoming so. Services are targeted for those persons for whom traditional community mental health services alone have not been effective. This may include persons who have not achieved and maintained health and stability in the community and persons who, without these services, would continue to experience hospitalization, incarceration and/or homelessness). Caseloads are much smaller and regular face-to-face contact is required.
Northampton County directly provides intensive case management services and blended case management services for adults. The blended program allows a person to continue to receive case management services from the same worker even though the frequency of contacts is reduced. In addition, this same unit provides services for adults who are transitioning out of more restrictive levels of care back into the community and outreach to older adults. Contracts are held with additional community vendors to provide intensive case management services to adults including Northwestern Human Services, Step-by-Step, Inc., and Resources for Human Development.
Targeted case management staff members assist consumers in linking up to community and provider resources. These programs provide assistance to consumers in identifying, accessing, and learning to use community resources in meeting treatment/service plan objectives. The ICM Units also maintain emergency on-call services twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Services are guided by the principle that adults with serious mental illness can recover and live successfully in their communities when individualized services and supports are provided. Referrals for targeted case management services must be made through our regular intake process (via the consumer’s assigned Administrative Case Manager).
Community Treatment Teams
Our most intensive outpatient case management and treatment services are offered by our Community Treatment Teams (sometimes referred to as CTT, community teams, and CHIPPS teams). These services were developed as part of our Community/Hospital Integration Projects Program (CHIPP) specifically to serve those individuals coming out of Allentown State Hospital and to divert others from needing long term hospital level care. These programs offer ICM level case management plus other team-delivered treatment and support services including emergency on-call services twenty-four hours per day, seven day per week, and the capacity for daily monitoring. Northwestern Human Services, Resources for Human Development, and Elwyn are the providers for these programs.
As is the case with our other targeted case management programs, CTT services are targeted for those persons for whom traditional community mental health services alone have not been effective. This includes persons who have not achieved and maintained health and stability in the community and persons who, without these services, would continue to experience hospitalization, incarceration and/or homelessness. Referrals for CTT/CHIPPS team services must be made through our regular intake process (via the consumer’s assigned Administrative Case Manager).
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services: (Site Based and Mobile)
Staff in these programs provides training, support, and education to assist consumers so that they can achieve successful community living. Site-based services are provided at supported apartment sites managed by Step-by-Step and by Salisbury Behavioral Health. Mobile services are also provided by Step-by-Step at scattered independent living sites. Both involve the provision of services at the residences of consumers. Haven House provides a non-residential site based program at their facility which is co-located with their outpatient program. Referrals for these programs are made through the county program.
Crisis Residences
3606 Hecktown Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Phone: 610-882-2008 |
Salisbury House
910 E. Emmaus Avenue
Allentown, PA 18301
Phone: 610-791-7878 |
This programs provide short-term residential services for individuals in psychiatric crisis, offering a safe and supportive environment for people who temporarily need assistance until they stabilize or until other arrangements can be made. The programs are licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Two or more trained staff members are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The maximum capacity in each facility is eight persons with a length of stay for up to five days. The County Program may authorize additional time when warranted. Staff members focus on assisting consumers to resolve their immediate crises and to mobilize support systems and ongoing treatment in the community.
Community Residential Rehabilitation (Group Homes)
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623 W. Union Boulevard
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-867-2031
Contact: Christine Stendell |
3895 Adler Place, Bldg. A
Bethlehem, PA 18020
Phone: 610-614-1147
Contact: Aaik Van Munster |
The Mental Health Program funds three full-care Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR) group homes for adults that are operated by Step-by-Step, Inc. and two that are operated by Resources for Human Development, Inc. These homes offer 24-hour supervision for Northampton County residents who are diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Residents are assisted in acquiring daily living skills in order to move forward in their recovery and eventually live more independently. One of these sites can serve persons with co-occurring drug and alcohol problems and operates on a level system. Clients must agree to random urine screens and participate in Double Trouble groups. This site has eight beds, plus one respite bed.
A second site operates with a behavioral modification philosophy and has a capacity of 12 beds. The third site is for young adults aged 18-23 and can accommodate up to four persons. These three sites are considered to be transitional in nature. Our two newest residential programs are more long-term in nature. They are designated as all-inclusive programs since they include residential, treatment, rehabilitation, and case management services in their overall program. These two programs represent our most intensive level of residential services and can accommodate six persons.
Referrals to all of these programs are made through the county program. Consumers must be active in the County Mental Health System, have a serious mental illness, and have a need to acquire certain skills before moving to more independent living arrangements in the community. All programs are voluntary and residents are expected to abide by certain house rules. The degree to which residents are expected to participate in household activities is dependent upon the individual residential program in which they reside.
Independent Apartments
There are 5 independent apartments on 4th Street in Bethlehem. Step-By-Step (SxS) serves as the landlord. These apartments are subsidized. John Mooney is the contact person for these apartments; he can be reached at 610-867-2030. Smoking is not permitted in these units; unfurnished.
There are 10 independent apartments located on Packer Avenue in Bethlehem. Unity House serves as the landlord for these apartments. These apartments are not subsidized, so applicants must have Valley Housing, a housing authority voucher, or be able to pay the rent independently. There is a resident manager on site who reports any issues to Unity House staff. Pets are allowed, but must be approved by Unity House. Jane Newman of Northampton County is the contact person for the Packer Avenue apartments; she can be reached at 610-974-7515. Smoking is not permitted in these apartments; unfurnished.
There are 10 (Northampton County) townhouse apartments located on Gordon Street in Allentown. These units are subsidized. Barbara Cooper of Valley Housing is the contact person for these apartments. Barbara can be reached at 610-866-0124 ext. 15. Smoking is permitted; unfurnished.
Moravian IV, 8 units, managed by Moravian Development Corporation. Apartments are subsidized. Contact person is Jane Newman at 610-974-7515. Smoking is not permitted; unfurnished.
Supported Living Apartments
13th Street Apartments
There are 6 supported living apartments (3 single occupancy and 3 double-occupancy) located on 13th Street in Easton. Step-by-Step is the provider for this program and their psychiatric rehabilitation staff are on site for scheduled hours throughout the day to work with residents on daily living skills. Once residents obtain the necessary skills to live independently, they will begin working with their psychiatric rehab staff and other involved case managers to successfully transition to fully independent living. Those residents that continue to need skills teaching may live at 13th Street as long as this need exists. Kim Orner of Step-by-Step is the contact person for this program. Kim can be reached at 610-867-2030. Smoking is not permitted; apartments are furnished. Rent is based on a sliding fee scale.
Stefko Apartments
There are 5 double-occupancy apartments located on Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem. These apartments are staffed 16 hours a day. The staff are located in an end-unit of the apartment complex. All medications are kept in the staff office and all dosages are monitored. Staff assist residents with cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and other daily living tasks as needed. Residents may live at Stefko as long as they continue to need this level of care. All residents have their own bedrooms, but they share all of the apartment common areas with their respective roommates. The apartments are fully furnished. Food is included in this rental amount. Criteria: need daily medication management, staffing during awake hours. Referral process: Submit referral forms to Juanita Rivera, Salisbury House, 65 E. Elizabeth Avenue, Suite 1000, Bethlehem, PA 18018 and Jane Newman, Northampton County Mental Health, 520 East Broad Street Bethlehem, PA 18018. Juanita’s number is 610-865-6116. Jane can be reached at 610-974-7555. Smoking is not permitted. Rent is $405 per month.
Hellertown Apartments
There are 12 supported apartments (11 single -occupancy and 1 double-occupancy) located in Hellertown. The provider for this program is Salisbury Behavioral Health. This program is based on a psychiatric rehabilitation model in which all programming is individualized. There is no set time frame for the program and everyone works at their own pace. Residents of the program participate in individual and group training sessions. Staff are only available during the day and there is no medication monitoring component to this program. The purpose of the program is to assist each individual in acquiring daily living skills so that upon completion of the program they will be able to live in their own apartment with little or no assistance. Rent will be 30% of the each individual’s income. A tenant may have an approved pet in his or her apartment.
All referrals must be sent to Northampton County Mental Health, Magellan Behavioral Health and Salisbury Behavioral Health. The contact person for this program is Connie Daramola. She can be reached at 610-865-6116 ext. 23. Apartments are furnished. Smoking is not permitted. TTo be eligible for this program each individual must be a Northampton County resident, have a serious mental illness, have Magellan Behavioral Health Insurance, and be in need of psychiatric rehabilitative services.
Personal Care Boarding Home Services
Salisbury House PCBH
Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-253-8539
Our program funds one personal care boarding home (PCBH) for consumers who are unable to care for themselves. Salisbury House operates the facility and it has a capacity for 12 residents. Staff members perform all cooking, cleaning, medication monitoring, and other related tasks for residents. To access this service a consumer must be a Northampton County resident with a major mental health diagnosis. Priority waiting list status is given to persons needing aftercare following treatment at Allentown State Hospital.
Many other PCBH facilities are available throughout the Lehigh Valley for persons needing that service and having the necessary funds to cover the monthly costs. To learn more about requirements, or search a list of facilities in this area (or anywhere in PA), click this link:
Other Housing Supports
Short-Term Rental Assistance
This program provides short-term (up to four months) assistance to consumers who have found or already reside in their own apartments but need some temporary help in order to acquire or maintain their residences. This program is administered through Step-by-Step.
Respite Care
Respite services are available on a limited basis for eligible children/adolescents and adults who are actively involved with the county’s mental health services. Step-by-Step and Salisbury House are the two providers of this service for adults with a total of two respite beds. Pinebrook Services, the Youth Advocacy Program (YAP), and Valley Youth House (VYH) provide these services for children/adolescents. Pinebrook offers out-of-home respite. YAP and VYH offer in-home respite. Respite services are intended for use in circumstances such as these:
Out of Home respite care can be requested for up to 30 days per year. If additional time beyond 30 days per year is needed, authorization needs to be obtained from the NC MH Deputy Administrator. In home respite for children is usually scheduled on a several hours per week basis. Referrals need to be made by the consumer’s case manager.
Residential Services for Children/Adolescents
These services consist of two types, therapeutic family care and residential treatment facilities. Therapeutic family care is provided in “foster” type homes and includes treatment for the child/adolescent living there temporarily and to his/her family to which they will return. These placements are short term, usually 4 months and family involvement is essential. Residential Treatment Facilities are placements for those severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents who are not able to be successfully treated in a family or community setting/program. These placements are also intended to be short-term in nature and with an emphasis on family therapy. For more information contact Brian Watson at 610-997-5870.
Recovery Partnership (formerly The Lehigh Valley Consumer/Family Satisfaction Team, Inc.) is an organization authorized by Lehigh County and Northampton County Offices of Mental Health to provide consumer satisfaction team services. Created out of the need for a reliable method of monitoring and reporting satisfaction within the mental health system, Recovery Partnership is a team of individuals who are either consumers of mental health services, family members of consumers, and those vested in improving the mental health system.
Recovery Partnership
70 W. North Street, Suite 101
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
Phone 610-861-2741
Toll Free 1-888-691-4278
Fax 610-861-2781
Recovery Partnership listens closely to consumers and families to collect information and report on their level of satisfaction with services, in order to achieve a better understanding of what is working and what may need to be changed to improve consumer satisfaction.
Advance Directives (MH) and Power of Attorney (MH)
Mental health Advance Directives (AD) or Mental Health Declarations allow consumers to: (1) develop a better understanding of their illnesses, and (2) provide instruction on the development of personal recovery plans to be used in the event of decompensation in their mental health status. By working with their physicians, therapists, and casemanagers to develop/revise personal written AD plans, consumers will have several advantages including:
- The ability to make their own health care decisions during rough times;
- Better communication between consumers, their family members (and other friends and significant other persons whom they may choose), and their treatment providers;
- Earlier intervention when problems arise; and
- Reducing court proceedings regarding involuntary treatment.
Mental health Power of Attorney (POA) allows consumers to pre-select the person or persons they would like to have serve as their “designated health care agent(s)” (advocates and decision makers) during times when they are unable to do so for themselves. Developing/revising POA documents can be done at the same time the consumers meet with their physicians, therapists, and casemanagers about creating or updating their AD.
Sample fill-in-the-blank AD and POA documents can be found at these links:
Please be assured that AD and POA arrangements only go into effect when it is determined by two mental health professionals that consumers are unable to make treatment decisions for themselves. As soon as consumers regain the ability to make their own decisions, AD and POA arrangements no longer apply.
Self-Help and Support Groups
Here is a list of self-help and support groups, many with local chapter phone numbers:
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To view links to various other helpful websites and to learn more about NC MH/MR/EI programs, services, and staff, please click on the titles in the navigation bar on the top left, or select an option from the links offered below:
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