Partial care programs, also known as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), are designed to support young people and young adults facing mental health challenges that impact their daily lives. These programs offer a structured and intensive outpatient treatment option, providing a crucial bridge between traditional outpatient therapy and inpatient hospitalization. Without the availability of partial care, individuals experiencing significant mental health symptoms might require more restrictive and intensive inpatient care to manage their conditions effectively.
Who Needs Partial Care? Identifying the Criteria
Partial care programs are tailored for youth and young adults whose mental health symptoms require a higher level of care than standard outpatient services can provide, yet they do not necessitate 24/7 inpatient supervision. To illustrate the specific needs that partial care programs address, let’s consider the eligibility criteria outlined by PerformCare, a behavioral health organization, for their youth and young adult partial care program:
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Age: The individual is under 21 years old. Services are available until the young person’s 21st birthday. This age range highlights the focus on supporting adolescents and young adults during critical developmental stages.
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Need for External Support: The young person requires substantial clinical and social support to maintain stability outside of a hospital or residential setting. Partial care acts as a vital support system, preventing relapse and promoting community living. It also facilitates the transition from more restrictive environments, like inpatient units, back into the community.
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Comprehensive Program Requirement: A comprehensive and integrated program offering both clinical and psychosocial rehabilitation services is deemed necessary. This indicates that partial care is not just about managing immediate symptoms but also about fostering long-term recovery and improved functioning in daily life. The program aims to equip individuals with coping mechanisms and life skills.
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Symptom Severity: The individual presents with symptoms aligning with a DSM-IV (or subsequent editions) diagnosis or exhibits behavioral and emotional disturbances that demand intensive therapeutic intervention. This criterion emphasizes that partial care is for those experiencing clinically significant mental health conditions requiring structured treatment.
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Program Engagement Capacity: The young person is capable of consistent attendance and possesses the stability needed to participate actively in the program. This highlights the importance of the individual’s readiness and ability to engage in a structured program, ensuring they can benefit from the therapeutic interventions offered.
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Risk Assessment: There is a discernible risk to themselves or others, which, while not requiring constant 24-hour medical supervision, necessitates structured support and supervision for a significant portion of the day. This risk level also necessitates family and community support outside of program hours. Examples of such risks include difficulties in self-care, mood, thought, or behavioral disorders that significantly disrupt daily activities, suicidal thoughts or non-imminent threats, and self-endangering behaviors. Partial care provides a safe and structured environment to manage these risks effectively.
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Complex Treatment Needs: The individual’s condition necessitates a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and multi-modal treatment approach. This includes regular psychiatric observation and supervision, medication management, and behavioral interventions. This intensive level of care aims to regulate medication effectively, implement behavioral strategies, maximize overall functioning, and minimize risks to self, others, and property.
Partial care programs, therefore, serve as an intensive yet community-based treatment option for young individuals struggling with significant mental health challenges. They offer a structured environment, therapeutic interventions, and support systems designed to promote stability, recovery, and improved quality of life, all while allowing individuals to maintain connections with their community and family.
Resources for Partial Care and Mental Health Support
For further information on behavioral health services and support, please refer to the following resources:
- New Jersey Department of Human Services: https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/resources/services/ – Explore this resource to learn more about behavioral health services and how they can assist you or someone you know.
- PerformCare: https://www.performcarenj.org/index.aspx – Discover more about this national behavioral health organization offering a range of services, including partial care and inpatient programs.
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