Chestnut Ridge Partial Hospitalization Program available to help adults struggling with mental illness
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that nearly 44 million American adults experience mental illness in a given year, but only 40 percent are receiving the mental health services they need. For those patients in North Central West Virginia, the WVU Medicine Chestnut Ridge Center’s Partial Hospitalization Program can help.
The Partial Hospitalization Program includes voluntary outpatient programs specifically designed for adults age 18 and older struggling with acute psychiatric symptoms, including depression, mood disorders, anxiety, personality disorders, thought disorders, and co-occurring disorders of addiction. It affords the patient the opportunity to remain at home while seeking an intensive structured, therapeutic environment during the day.
“The Partial Hospitalization Program is an incredibly effective service to help people struggling with acute problems,” Dilip Chandran, M.D., medical director of the program, said. “Not only do these programs work, they allow patients to continue living at home and maintain a level of independence.”
The Program provides targeted services delivered by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, licensed clinical therapists, and additional mental health support staff.
Program one is designed for adults transitioning from an inpatient hospitalization stay or those who may require inpatient hospitalization.
“As the individual transitions again to outpatient services, this program may help to lay the groundwork for follow-up therapy and facilitate the transition from inpatient care,” Dr. Chandran said.
Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurances are accepted for this level of service.
Program two serves individuals struggling with acute symptoms associated with their long-standing mental health issues and attempts to reduce the need for inpatient hospitalization. Medicare and most commercial insurances are accepted for this service.
The Partial Hospitalization program operates from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Transportation is provided within the service area, which includes Monongalia, Marion, Preston, Harrison, and Taylor counties. Patients who live further away from Morgantown may have to arrange transportation to a meeting point in their area to receive transportation to Chestnut Ridge Center. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Assessments for treatment may be scheduled within one to two business days of referral and there is generally no waiting list for admission. Patients can refer themselves for the program.
To schedule an assessment, contact the Partial Hospitalization Program staff at 304-598-6429 ext. 5, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Messages left after those hours and over the weekend will be answered the next business day.