Independent living for young adults with mental illness

Health and Therapeutic Services

The Beehive Project acknowledges that many of the young people accessing our services suffer from mental health issues. This could be post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or a range of other complexities. Moving homes is a disruptive time for anyone, and the stress of this can exacerbate any present or underlying mental health conditions in our young people.

The Beehive Project has close working relationships with local health organisations and a host of experienced counsellors, covering an array of services to support our residents. During relocation, there is often a delay in transferring existing services to the new local borough, and we recognise that it can take time to go through the referral process to access mental health services in Hampshire. To lessen this struggle, and where agreeable to the local authority, we utilise our own in-house registered psychologist and counsellor to ease this transition, and to allow access to prescription medication where required. 

We use referrals from our counsellors, and the local doctors surgery to expedite the procedures needed to access Hampshire’s mental health services including College Keep, Antelope House and Yellow Door. During this wait, our young people can have regular appointments with the counsellor and psychologist, dependent on which best suits their needs. At this stage, residents are also assessed by our trained staff to help determine which services will be the most beneficial for each young person.

Referral

Personalized Treatment Plan

Supported Independent Living (SIL) assists individuals with mental health disorders who live independently in the community, either alone or with family/friends. The program is designed to help acquire, maintain or increase the skills necessary to continued independence and meaningful community engagement.

Once an individual is referred to Supported Independent Living, an interview is scheduled to discuss the program as a whole. Next, Step By Step staff works closely with the individual and their support team to develop a personalized treatment plan driven by the individual’s unique goals and desired outcomes.

Based on Proven Principles

Supported Independent Living provides support to individuals based on the principles of psychiatric rehabilitation (i.e. integrated and normalized services, involvement and partnerships of person’s receiving services and building on individual strengths). The program has proven especially successful in fostering meaningful relationships among participants, and between participants and staff.

In addition to regularly scheduled assistance, all Supported Independent Living individuals have access to program-wide holiday celebrations, field trips and other social traditions that provide opportunities for connection, engagement, and growth.

Supported Independent Living aims to guide, maintain and/or improve the following:

• Daily living skills (meal prep, cooking, cleaning)
• Transportation services
• Mental health and medication education
• Budgeting
• Social and/or recreational opportunities
• Vocational and/or educational opportunities
• Empowerment and advocacy
• Obtaining and maintaining housing

For More Information Contact:

• Northeast Regional Office            (570) 829-3477
• Southeast Regional Office            (610) 352-7837

Emerging Adults Program for Youth Leaving Foster Care or Mental Health Residential Treatment

TheEmerging Adults program is a strengths-based program to support young adults, ages 18-25, who have mental illness or a co-occurring disorder, as they transition to adulthood.  

The Emerging Adults program, operated by Park Center, is comprised of two components: Emerging Adults Housing and Emerge. Emerging Adults Housing provides quality, affordable and safe supportive housing with individualized support services for young adults who have been either in foster care or in treatment for mental illness or a co-occurring substance use disorder, and have very low income. As young adults demonstrate their ability to live more independently, the program assists in their transition to more independent community living.

Emerge is a life skills program for young adults living with mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. The Emerge program educates young adults on mental health, substance use disorders, and life skills. Group topics include coping skills, medication education, financial management, nutrition, personal grooming and hygiene, relationship building, and more. While in the Emerge program, young adults actively work toward employment and education goals. Daily community outings may include visiting museums, parks, and community centers and involve activities like playing sports and performing music.

For more information and eligibility criteria, visit: https://parkcenternashville.org/services/emerging-adults-services/

Julia Barlar, Director of Emerging Adult Programs
Phone:  615-242-3576, ext. 600
Fax: (615) 228-4344
Email:  

Deborah Ward, Emerging Adults Housing Supervisor
Phone: (615) 242-3576, ext. 601
Fax: (615) 228-4344
Email: 

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