The demand for mental health treatment continues to rise, both nationally and at home in West Michigan. In a recent survey, nearly one third of Michiganders reported experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety in the previous seven days. To help address this clearly identified community need, Holland Hospital Behavioral Health Services is increasing access to its Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
PHP is a short-term mental health treatment program that bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care. It is designed for patients who need more intensive treatment than regular outpatient therapy and can be safe at home between sessions. Patients attend five days a week for six hours each day and receive treatment from a team of mental health professionals including a psychiatrist, behavioral health therapists, nurses, occupational therapists and a chaplain. Treatment is informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy, an evidence-based approach that focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotion regulation skills.
“The partial hospitalization program is designed to give patients the skills and support they need to effectively manage their mental health conditions,” said Mikaela Andrea, director of Behavioral Health Services at Holland Hospital. ”Patients participate in individual and group therapy during the day then return home to practice the skills they have learned in a real-world setting. Patient feedback has been consistently positive, and many patients have shared how their quality of life has improved since participating in PHP.”
Opening in August of 2020, PHP served over 200 patients in its first year. On average, patients experience a 10-point reduction in PHQ-9 scores (a depression screening tool with scores from 0 to 27) indicating significant improvements in mood and daily functioning.
For eligibility or additional information about the Holland Hospital PHP program, visit hollandhospital.org/bhs or call (616) 395-2828.