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Mental Health/Psychiatry ServicesMental illness is known by many different names: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe anxiety disorders, just to name a few. Any one of these illnesses can have a profound effect on a person's thinking, feeling, moods, ability to relate to others and capacity for coping with the everyday demands of life. Mental illness does not discriminate. It can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. The good news is that mental illnesses are treatable. Traditionally, mental health care has had a goal of “stabilizing” individuals and then maintaining that stabilization through medication and therapy. That is all changing, however, as the mental health system moves to a recovery-oriented system in which the goal is a return to active participation in the community.
According to William Anthony, Ph.D., director of the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, “recovery is a continuous, deeply personal, individual effort that leads to growth, discovery and the change of attitudes, values, goals and, perhaps, roles.” To better assist the consumers it serves in their efforts to reach their life goals, Horizon introduced a full program of rehabilitation and recovery services, including relapse prevention, symptom reduction, goal setting, health and wellness, vocational programming and more. Horizon is committed to knowing and deeply understanding each individual its counselors work with. Staff members are open to being guided by the individuals they serve, and are willing to stand by values that enhance the humanity and dignity of those individuals. They remain flexible, creative and open to trying what might be possible, including innovation, experimentation and unconventional solutions. Horizon embraces the Hallmarks of Person-Centered Planning. SymptomsMental health disorders are just as real as other illnesses – such as cancer and diabetes – and can have an immense impact on individuals and families. In fact, according to the National Mental Health Association, an estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year. Mental health disorders and problems occur in families of all social classes and backgrounds; they do not discriminate. There are more than 200 types of mental illness, including depression, dementia, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Symptoms may include changes in mood and personality and a disruption in personal habits and/or social withdrawal. Behavioral changes are often the most outward signs of a mental health disorder. A person may suddenly become extremely quiet or withdrawn or burst into tears or have outbursts of anger for no apparent reason. Even after treatment has started, individuals with a mental illness can exhibit anti-social behaviors. Self TestWant to find out if you have or if someone you know has a mental health problem? Click here and take the simple self-administered and confidential test. It is important to note that this self test is not a diagnosis and DOES NOT replace a face to face evaluation with a trained clinical professional. Frequently-asked QuestionsHere are the answers to some frequently-asked questions about mental health issues: What causes mental illness? We don’t know the specific causes of mental illnesses. However, causes can include the influences of our biological make-up, the impact of our life experiences including those of early life/childhood, trauma and current stressors. The degree to which each of these is a factor differs for each individual. Does having a mental illness mean I’m crazy? Unfortunately, TV and movie depictions have made fun of persons with mental illness, portraying them as stupid or comical. These depictions are inaccurate and inappropriate. Mental illness is a disease - just as cancer and heart disease are – and is not due to personal inadequacies or moral failings. Should I come for treatment if I don’t know what is wrong with me? Yes. Part of the process of treatment is coming to understand the factors involved in causing your symptoms and difficulty with functioning. What happens during counseling sessions? Counseling involves your speaking with a counselor individually or in the context of group or couples/family treatment. Counselors provide guidance, encouragement and support to help you:
What if I just want medication and not counseling? Research clearly shows that recovery is best achieved when medication and counseling are provided in combination. Horizon does not provide medication without counseling except in cases when the consumer has no need of further counseling as determined by the staff. Services and Treatment OptionsHorizon provides mental health services that are designed to respond to our consumers’ needs and goals for seeking treatment. All services are based on an individualized treatment and recovery plan developed jointly by our clinical staff and consumers. This plan incorporates each consumer’s strengths and resources to address his or her identified goals. Ante and Postpartum Depression Treatment Pregnancy is not easy and caring for an infant is hard work. No matter how much a new mother prepares for this event, there are often some unexpected feelings that surface. Mothers may feel overwhelmed, anxious and even angry. Any woman who is pregnant or has recently given birth can be affected, regardless of how many previous, uncomplicated pregnancies she has had. Horizon has a special program for pregnant women and new mothers who are experiencing depression, run by Kristin Ahrens, M.D., staff psychiatrist at Horizon. Participants are thoroughly evaluated to help determine a strategy to help them deal with their depression and then help them work at overcoming this condition. Treatment can range from counseling to medication to a combination of both. Contrary to popular belief, antidepression medication can be used safely during and after pregnancy and, often, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Horizon provides two levels of outpatient mental health care: Mental Health Clinics Horizon's Mental Health Clinics provide individual, marital, couples and group solution-focused counseling. Treatment is provided through scheduled sessions with professional counselors and psychiatrists based on each consumer’s treatment needs. Day and evening hours are available. The types of mental health care provided ranges from counseling for transient situational crises to treatment for chronic but stable serious mental illnesses that require medication and monitoring. Our Mental Health Clinic locations include: Bailey Kensington Counseling Center Bailey-LaSalle Transitions Counseling Center Boulevard Counseling Center Hertel Elmwood Counseling Center Niagara Falls Counseling Center
Rehabilitation and Recovery Programs Horizon's Rehabilitation and Recovery Programs provide intensive counseling and rehabilitative services for persons with more serious or acute psychiatric conditions. Often these services are used to briefly intensify services in response to consumer crises or as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. Treatment is centered on consumers’ developing the skills and resources necessary for maximizing their independent functioning and achieving their desired quality of life. Consumers may attend for up to several hours per day, several days per week, consistent with their needs and goals. A formal structured program to enhance consumers’ interpersonal, daily living and pre-vocational skills is provided along with individual and family counseling and medication management as needed. The Bailey-Kensington and Hertel Elmwood R&R programs provide psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation/recovery services to persons with severe and/or acute mental illness. Specialized Rehabilitation and Recovery services are provided for seniors at the Hertel Elmwood location (individuals over age 55) and at the Main Amherst R&R Program for individuals with psychiatric disabilities and borderline intellectual functioning. Our Rehabilitation and Recovery Programs are provided at the following locations: Bailey-Kensington Rehabilitation and Recovery Hertel-Elmwood Rehabilitation and Recovery Main-Amherst Rehabilitation and Recovery Other Information Available
Career Opportunity CentersHorizon’s Career Opportunity Centers are designed to serve individuals with mental health disorders and/or chemical dependency who have expressed a desire to enter or re-enter the workforce. Our objective is to provide meaningful, competitive and permanent employment in settings offering opportunities for advancement and promotion. Horizon’s Career Opportunity Centers have a 20-year history of success in providing area employers with dependable and motivated workers.
Other helpful websites
These links are provided to assist visitors to this site in obtaining information related to substance abuse and treatment. The links represent a variety of agencies and non-government organizations. By displaying links, Horizon is not endorsing the organizations represented nor making any claim as to the accuracy and validity of the information found on their websites.
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Persons with psychiatric disabilities have the same goals and dreams as any other person. They want a decent place to live, suitable work, social activities and friends to whom they can turn in times of crisis. As more research is conducted, more has been learned about the fact that mental illness is an illness from which recovery is possible, and that rehabilitation outcomes for people with psychiatric disabilities are influenced by the effectiveness of the people, programs and service systems with which the consumer interacts. 