Mesopotamia, OH, May 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The first step in getting treatment for mental illness is attaining a correct assessment and diagnosis. This can be difficult as mental health disorders occur in a variety of forms and symptoms can overlap, making disorders hard to assess. An inaccurate assessment can be a costly and a time-consuming setback. When given a correct assessment and individualized treatment, the outlook for a productive life is much more positive.
Hopewell, Ohio's only residential therapeutic farm community for adults with mental illness, has developed a new Intake Individual Assessment based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) for providing assessments of individuals applying for admission. Similar assessment tools are used by health care professionals in the United States and much of the world, but this one has been adopted for Hopewell. The questions in the assessment are classified in over 20 categories including areas such as past psychiatric history, personality, family history, systems reviews, developmental history and social history.
Hopewell is located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, and helps adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression and other forms of serious mental illness experience recovery. Hopewell takes the time and effort to provide comprehensive and individualized assessments for each resident (residential client) and admissions applicant. These assessments generate accurate information specific to the individual. This intake process helps to inform the development of the Individual Service Plan (ISP) which functions as a road map to achieve a resident's recovery goals.
"At Hopewell, we pride ourselves in providing accurate and detailed assessments of our residents," said Daniel B. Horne, Clinical Manager and Director of Admissions at Hopewell. "This ensures that Hopewell is right for an individual. But, if it's not, we can direct them to the facility or program that is right for them."
The new Intake Individual Assessment Tool is the final part of the screening process at Hopewell. It may be completed by using Skype or FaceTime or even during a long distance telephone call. "While face-to-face assessments provide the best results, this approach has proven itself to be equally effective," said Horne. An important feature of this assessment is that it incorporates the residential candidate's perspective into the screening. Answers to questions help to paint a picture of a resident's situation that will be helpful to the Hopewell staff during treatment.
"This assessment tool gives us the chance to understand the patient's personal view of their mental health condition," explained Horne, "It helps us to better incorporate their input while creating a meaningful ISP. It helps us to individualize each resident's treatment plan. This assessment is an important first step in Hopewell's 'moral treatment' orientation to addressing a variety of mental health conditions."
Hopewell's admissions process is responsive, caring and respects the applicant's privacy. Residents are 18 years of age or older, have a mood or thought disorder, and express willingness for treatment. Individuals should have some self-care skills, be medication compliant and be in reasonable physical health. A resident's length of stay at Hopewell typically is around 6-9 months, although it can vary depending on treatment plans and progress.
About Hopewell
Hopewell is a 300-acre residential working farm located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is the only therapeutic farm community in Ohio. It is ODMH-licensed and CARF-accredited. Hopewell is a member of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the American Residential Treatment Association (ARTA). Visit www.hopewell.cc.
Information and assessments are available by contacting Beth Orr, Intake Coordinator, at 440.426.2009 or Daniel Horne, Director of Admissions at 440.426.2079. Visit www.hopewell.cc.