Community Programs Recognized for Filling Unmet Needs at Local Level

Three programs that provide services for people dealing with stressful life events or mental illness were honored at APA’s IPS: The Mental Health Services Conference in Chicago in October. APA awarded two Gold Awards (one for a community-based program and one for an institutionally based program) and a Silver Award.

The Domestic Violence Initiative started small, but it has quickly gained traction as a model for providing integrated psychiatric treatment for survivors of domestic violence. Established with a grant from the Chapman Perelman Foundation, the program provides on-site psychiatric treatment at the Bronx Family Justice Center for clients with a history of intimate partner violence. The co-directors are Elizabeth Fitelson, M.D., and Catherine Monk, Ph.D.

Clients are eligible to receive immediate access to a full range of psychiatric services conveniently located in the same place where they receive legal assistance on immigration and family court matters, meet with prosecutors, access shelter, and get help in applying for housing and financial assistance. Children aged 3 and up can play in a safe and supervised children’s room while their parents receive services. No appointments are necessary, and all are welcome regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, language, income, and immigration status. Treatment is provided by an L.C.S.W. psychotherapist and a psychiatry fellow at Columbia University Medical School, which launched the program in 2014 through a partnership with the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence. In 2015, Mayor de Blasio announced plans to replicate the program at family justice centers in all five boroughs.

This Baltimore program, directed by Denise Chatham, has made significant progress in reducing the psychiatric hospitalization of people with serious mental illness by surrounding them with all the supports necessary to remain in the community. Key offerings include intensive case management, life skills training, housing assistance, money management, individual and group therapy, and general medical care.

Membership in the program is extended to individuals with only the most severe and persistent mental illnesses. Intensive case management is provided by three clinical teams, each consisting of a coordinator; a team leader; five case managers who help members develop and implement a treatment plan; two team assistants who help members with medical appointments, shopping, and other day-to-day activities; and a licensed practical nurse and a half-time prescriber (either the program’s psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatrist) to manage health care. Each case manager is assigned to work with eight or nine members, with assistance from the team.

This program connects people who are experiencing a mental health crisis with a peer from a similar background—police officers talk to other police officers in the COP2COP peer support program, veterans talk to veterans in Vet2Vet, and mothers of children with special needs talk to each other in Mom2Mom. The program director is Cherie Castellano.

Located in a large call center at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, Reciprocal Peer Support oversees hotlines for 14 unique peer-support programs. Callers are immediately put in touch with a trained peer supporter who gathers information while assessing suicide risk. Clinical professionals are available to conduct telephone assessment of depression, anxiety, and family and marital issues.

The “cultural connection” between callers and peer supporters is the key to the program’s success. Not only does it help overcome stigma, but it also forms the foundation on which to build a relationship. “These days, everyone can search the Web for referral options and access to information,” said Castellano. “Our callers are looking for something more,” she said. “They need to know that they are not alone and that seeking help is a viable option.” ■

Full descriptions of the award-winning programs can be accessed here.