Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals | Bruce Greenstein, Secretary

Services Detail:

• Adult Day Treatment Program:  The Adult Day Treatment Program was established at New Orleans Mental Health Clinic in the early 1960's. At that time, with the introduction of new medications to treat mental illness, chronically mentally ill persons were returning to their communities from the hospitals. Then, as is the case now, the Adult Day Treatment Program helps this transition back into the community. In addition, by their participation in the Adult Day Treatment Program, persons may be helped to stay out of mental institutions by preventative treatment. This program is available to persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses who are at least 18 years of age. The basis of this treatment is that the person takes responsibility for their own recovery. The program meets three days a week. Treatment is provided in groups which focus on communication skills, education about mental illness, and recreational needs. Through activities and field trips members explore available leisure activities and visit community resources, such as the Social Security Office and local thrift stores. A sense of belonging is developed through interaction with other group members. Through weekly goal setting the members' overall goal for stabilization and increased responsibility for their own recovery can be realized. The program has proved to be most helpful to the schizophrenic, bipolar or severely depressed person. Length of stay may be from several months up to one year.
   
• Independence Drop-In Clinic: The Independence Drop-In Clinic is a program for mentally ill adults. The Clinic is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons. Activities are held in the Day Treatment area of the New Orleans Mental Health Clinic. The Drop-In Clinic offers a variety of activities including cooking, bingo, recovery group, and field trips. Many of the field trips are used to "take care of business" such as shopping for individual groceries, paying bills and going to the Social Security Office. The members of the Independence Drop-In Clinic describe the reasons they come to the Clinic as: "To take care of myself ... help deal with personal stress", "Keeps me out of trouble", "I've been depressed for five days ... better to get out and go to Independence ... now I feel better". The members of the Drop-In Center watch videos twice a week which are part of a program aimed at recovery. Although the Drop-In Clinic is a consumer driven program, there is always staff involvement and availability.