North Mississippi Medical Center

Inpatient Psychiatric Services

Adult Psychiatric Services

For more than 30 years NMMC's Behavioral Health Center has provided help for people with psychiatric disorders. Like other medical problems, behavioral disordersmay present as acute or chronic, and may lend themselves to crisis intervention and stabilization. On the other hand a more relaxed, informal environment may be appropriate to assist people with less severe emotional disorders.

NMMC's Behavioral Health Center has both an acute unit and a stabilization unit, meeting all needs of adults with psychiatric problems. The treatment team consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers, recreation and activity therapists and other ancillary staff.

The acute unit treats patients in crisis as well as patients with chronic illness in need of stabilization. Medical management is emphasized. The goal of the acute unit is for the patient to be diagnosed, stabilized and helped to resolve the crisis in the most adaptive manner.

The stabilization unit exists to provide care and treatment for patients who need time to acquire better coping skills and adaptive behavior. Inpatient care is provided for patients, who although still able to function, have reached a point where inpatient care is deemed necessary by the psychiatrists.

Geriatric Services

Mental health is an issue vital to a complete and successful aging process. Cognitive
loss and a multitude of stress-related life changes can impact how senior citizens view themselves.

Remaining active at whatever level of functioning the individual can achieve is vital to a positive aging process. Restoration of each patient to his or her highest level of possible function is the goal of the geriatric program at the NMMC Behavioral Health Center.

The geriatric program is staffed by a multidisciplinary treatment team, and medical and psychiatric problems of the geriatric patient are addressed. The patient's psychiatric problems are managed by the staff psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor
and recreation and activity therapists. Medical aspects specific to the elderly are managed by a board-certified geriatric physician, who utilizes nurses and other ancillary staff, such as physical and occupational therapists.

Family involvement begins upon admission to the program and extends throughout the treatment period. Patients typically stay an average of two weeks. Discharge planning begins immediately upon admission to assure that the appropriate plan is designed to
meet the unique needs of the patient and family.

Outpatient Psychiatric Services

NMMC's Behavioral Health Center offers a variety of outpatient services for children, adolescents and adults. Staffed by a team of licensed clinical psychologists and master's level counselors, patients can be assured that they will be treated by an individual that specializes in their particular area of concern. Also available are psychological,
educational and ADD / ADHD testing. Appointments are available after hours. In most instances, a licensed professional counselor conducts an initial assessment which will guide the appropriate course of action.

Chemical Dependency

Inpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment

Chemical dependency can be described as any repeated drinking or drug use that interferes with one or more areas of a person's life. Inpatient treatment is available for patients who need 24-hour medical monitoring or a highly-structured, intensive level of treatment services.

All patients are treated professionally and confidentially. The phases of Inpatient chemical dependency treatment include:

Detoxification, Evaluation and Referral:

The primary function of this phase is to detoxify, evaluate and refer each patient to the most appropriate clinical treatment modality. In addition, a secondary, but essential function is to educate the patient with regard to physical, mental, emotional behavioral and spiritual aspects of chemical dependency. The education process enables the patient to develop some awareness of deterioration in each of these areas of his or her life, and motivates the person to seek treatment.

The objectives for each patient in this phase of treatment are:

	To assist each patient in identifying and accepting the chronic and progressive nature of chemical dependency.
	To accept responsibility for and become determined to participate in ongoing rehabilitation with abstinence from chemicals as the primary goal.
	To continue medical treatment as needed under the care of the medical Director.
	To become familiar with, and begin to practice the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous.
	To involve the family in education and counseling.
	To make a commitment to participate in Aftercare upon discharge.

Outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment

Chemical dependency can be described as any repeated drinking or drug use that interferes with one or more areas of a person's life. Research and experience have indicated that not all chemically dependent individuals require hospitalization or residential treatment. Outpatient chemical dependency treatment has become a viable, flexible modality of treatment. Outpatient services often allow an individual to maintain work, school, and/or family schedules while receiving effective treatment.

Treatment Description:
Patients meet Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Individual sessions and appointments are conducted during times most convenient for the patient. Each patient is treated in three areas: physically, emotionally and spiritually. A treatment team of qualified professionals, specializing in chemical dependency, is responsible for each patient's treatment planning.

Treatment consists of three phases:

PHASE 1: EVALUATION
PHASE 2: PRIMARY CARE
PHASE 3: AFTERCARE

Phase 1 & 2 consist of a minimum of 12 weeks of participation.

Phase 1 - Evaluation
The evaluation process consists of three weeks or nine sessions.

In addition to group therapy and educational sessions, the patient is seen by the staff physician/addictionologist for medical evaluation. The patient will also undergo intellectual, psychological and personality testing. A minimum of two individual sessions with the outpatient counselor will be scheduled to support a thorough assessment. Random drug screens monitor any use of alcohol and/or drugs. Evaluation results are documented and made available to patient and referral sources if applicable. If evaluation is a condition of employment, licensure and/or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) referral, a meeting will be scheduled to inform appropriate persons.

Phase 2 - Primary Care
Primary Care consists of a minimum of nine weeks or 27 sessions.

This phase of treatment includes a continuation of group therapy, educational components, spiritual consultation and individual sessions with the outpatient counselor. An in-depth focus of patient's addiction is facilitated along with introduction to drug-free living and recovery. Random drug screens monitor any use of alcohol and/or drugs. If applicable, referral sources will receive periodic reports on a patient's progress. Upon completion of primary care phase, the patient and appropriate persons will receive post-treatment recommendations and complete Aftercare planning.

Phase 3 - Aftercare

Aftercare phase of treatment lasts up to two years, one night a week, for 90 minutes.
Aftercare is available to the client as well as family members. This program provides continual follow-up and support during the first 24 months of abstinence.

EAP
Employee Assistance Program "An Employee Benefit that Benefits Employers"

Counseling assistance includes:
	Personal counseling sessions with qualified counselors
	Referrals to the appropriate facilities if necessary

In addition, NMMC's Employee Assistance Program includes:
	Training and orientation for supervisors and employers concerning the benefits of EAP.
	Off-site confidential evaluation and counseling services for employees and their immediate family members.
	Quarterly utilization reports for company managers documenting the number of employees served by the EAP counselor (names of treated employees will not be provided).
	On-site classes for employees and/or managers on such topics as stress management, smoking cessation, coping with holiday depression, etc.
	Educational and promotional materials such as posters and payroll stuffers
	A year-end utilization report outlining the types of clinical and counseling services provided throughout the year. (Names of employees are confidential and are not provided in the utilization reports).
	Twenty-four hour crisis line, for emergencies or after hours problems, available to all covered employees and their dependent or immediate family members.

Assessments

Anyone interested in learning if they or a family member need help for behavioral health related issues can call to schedule a confidential assessment, which will determine the need for treatment. These confidential assessments are available by appointment at several North Mississippi Health Services locations throughout the area.

Referrals to the NMMC Behavioral Health Center may be made by physicians, employers, teachers, social workers, counselors, clergy, other professionals and family members. Individuals may also contact Behavioral Health directly to schedule an assessment for themselves.

For more information on the services provided by the NMMC Behavioral Health Center, call 1-662-377-3161 or 1-800-442-2238.

Available Testing

Psychological
Educational
ADD/ADHD

For more information, call:
(662) 377-3161 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).