Tufts PAWS for People partners to offer Therapeutic Pet Services to HBM Patients

On Saturday, March 18th, 2023, the PAWS for People program, which is associated with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, sent four handlers and their respective pets to visit with and be available for patients from our Thrive (adolescent) and our Empower (trauma) units. Each unit was escorted to our PHP unit where there were three dogs and one cat awaiting their love.

The program which is coordinated by Deb Gibbs, Program Director, was on hand to facilitate the volunteer handlers throughout the visit. The dogs, Bosco, Gemma, and Maui, were all delighted to be brushed, petted and loved during their time at HBM. The cat, MacKenzie, an orange Scottish Fold registered therapy cat, might have created the biggest buzz by lying on a table awaiting love from anyone and everyone. He was the sweetest, purring animal and showcased what the program is all about – unconditional love from an animal.

As we move forward working together, we will be adding more scheduled times for PAWS for People to drop in and spend time with whichever animals they have available. Animal therapy has been proven to have such benefits as reduced stress and overall help with a more balanced mental and emotional state.

Adolescent Mental Health Treatment and Simultaneous Schooling

At HBM, we offer an adolescent program, ages 11-17, that incorporates the school day into the treatment. Our mental health programming for adolescents, which is named “Thrive”, espouses programs such as Compassion and Dependency, Trauma and the Understanding of it, Cultural Humility and Responsiveness, and Family Dynamics, we also offer schooling for the adolescents in the program. The assigned staff teacher keeps the student on track, gaining forward momentum in their mental health and their education.

The ability to bond and communicate as a group and identify key issues is a critical part of the daily programming. The adolescents learn to relate and build resiliency in order to recover from setbacks. Becoming more resilient can offer individuals the opportunity to improve their life, maximizing their potential and success moving forward. Setting up each individual with a path for their future is our goal.

If you have questions about your child’s mental health, please give us a call today. We offer free assessments and can help guide you into a program that is best for your child.

Adolescent Mental Health Statistics and Getting Help at HBM

The 2022 statistics are out – and there is much insight taken from the numbers. In a report written by MHA (Mental Health America) National Organization, it calculates that the actual number of children without mental health coverage is 1.9% in Massachusetts to as high as 17.7% in Arkansas.

The rate of children with private insurance without coverage for mental or emotional problems is up 0.3% year over year, and yet there are still 950,000 youth in America without coverage for their behavioral or mental health.

Massachusetts ranks number three in the “rate of students identified as having an emotional disturbance for an IEP” at 20.22 students per 1,000.

If any of these statistics ring true for you and your family, and if you find yourself struggling with your child’s mental health, emotional disturbance or need for a little extra support, Hospital for Behavioral Medicine in Worcester is here to help. The adolescent program for ages 13 to 17 is an in-patient program that helps those with psychiatric symptoms that prevent them from functioning safely at home, school or community.

In November of 2022, we will be opening our child program for ages 3 to 12, providing a therapeutic and safe environment for our patients to recognize their behavioral and mental health needs and to develop coping skills to address the issues to help your child get back to living a safe life.

If insurance issues prevent you from getting help, call us – we can guide you. If your child has an IEP that you’d like our therapeutic approach to improve it – get connected.

There is no longer a reason to suffer, we welcome referrals from families, mental health professionals and healthcare providers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please call intake today at 774-314-3490 for a clinical assessment today.

www.hospitalforbehavioralmedicine.com

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!


Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!


As we celebrate the holiday season, we would like to take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for our community partners.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to those we serve.
We couldn’t do what we do without you.

We look forward to a new year as we continue to work together to provide hope and help for our patients and their families.

Sincerely,
The Team at Hospital for Behavioral Medicine

Walgreens and Mental Health America are Teaming Up to Help Those in Need this Holiday Season

Walgreens is kicking this off with a $500,000 donation and will match every dollar donated, up to an additional $500,000 through 12/31/2021.

76% of HBM Employees Vaccinated!

The Hospital for Behavioral Medicine is proud to share that 76% of our employees have been vaccinated! #HBM #76% #mentalhealthawareness #ourstaffareamazing

Scared and anxious about returning to offices, restaurants, and other public places?

Great interview on NPR with Samuel Nordberg about anxiety and returning to work and school.

Click Here to Read the Article

How to Recognize and Address Seasonal Depression

Are you impacted by seasonal depression? This article offers a few recommendations on how to best manage your symptoms.

The Hospital for Behavioral Medicine has availability in our inpatient units and in our outpatient partial hospitalization programs. To make a referral or to schedule an assessment, please call our intake department at: 774-314-3490. For more information about our programs please visit our website.

Click Here to Read More

Second Dose!

The Hospital for Behavioral Medicine continues to vaccinate our staff. To learn more about Covid-19 symptoms, testing, and vaccines, please visit the CDC COVID-19 Resource Site.

Your Wellness Resolution for 2021

2020 has been a year of struggles, like losses of loved ones to illness, losses of jobs and uncertainty about finances and how to stay safe and heathy. The issue of health includes more than physical health; mental health is important, too. 2021 can be a year that can be a do-over, a blank slate, if you will. 2021 can be the year you invest in you and especially in your mental health. Did you learn things in 2020 about yourself and your resilience that you can bring into this new year? Here are some resiliency tools that may help carry you through any rough starts in 2021.

STAY FOCUSED AND KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE
Take it a day at a time. Use the skills you learned in 2020 to manage stressful times. Let go of unimportant things and stay in the moment. Remind yourself that what is important is probably right in your home: your family! Make sure to stay in touch with friends who are positive and supportive.

ENJOY SOME FRESH AIR
Just getting outside is one of the best tools to help you refocus. Take some deep breaths, enjoy a brisk walk or even a quiet moment on your front porch. Parks and botanic gardens are still open; make it a family fresh air encounter.

SLOW DOWN, IN FACT, JUST STOP!
Don’t eat at your desk while you answer the phone. Make it a real lunch break. Take a few minutes to just regroup. Hurrying through your day won’t necessarily make you more productive. Take some time to just breath and ready yourself for what you need to do. Pace yourself!

LOOK FOR HELP BEFORE YOU NEED IT
One in five of us, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will experience a mental illness in our lifetime. With this information in hand, learn about what resources are available in your community. Learn about the services, the cost and days of operation.

Hospital for Behavioral Medicine is your community hospital serving the needs of those who live with mental illness. Both children and adolescents (ages 5-17) and adults will find professional care right when they need it; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We would welcome a call so you can learn more about us, before you even need us! If you or a loved one are in need of mental health services, please call (844)- 319-0000.