Previously, public care for the mentally ill was the exclusive territory of the states, but this program resulted in the closing of state hospitals and stopped state funding of out-patient clinics. After almost two decades and billions of dollars being spent, the number of patients in state hospitals dropped by about 75%, while the federally funded CMHCs were taking care of people with milder mental problems than those of patients discharged from state mental hospitals. Those discharged patients, who were supposed to be the primary recipients of care through CMHCs, made up only about 4-7% of total patient load.

During this time, the Medicaid and Medicare programs were created and changes were made to both the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs. These programs were originally not intended to fund care for the mentally ill, but these changes resulted in the almost complete federal takeover of the mental illness treatment system at an annual cost of more than $140 Billion.

Many individuals with severe mental illness such as Schizophrenia do not receive the treatment support they need. Half of mentally ill individuals discharged from state hospitals, who have the most severe types of mental illness such as Schizophrenia and Bi-Polar Disorder, are not doing well.

Even after the recent Newtown tragedy, there is nothing in the federal government’s plans through 2014 that even mentions Schizophrenia, Bi-polar Disorder, or out-patient care.

From its inception, The Cottages on Mountain Creek recognized the critical importance exterior and interior design and environmental considerations play in creating the most beneficial setting in our behavioral healthcare facility in order to nurture our residents’ stabilization and recovery.

As documented in the attached article, there are several factors that, when integrated into a cohesive plan, play a critical role in establishing a positive atmosphere that encourages stabilization, well-being and recovery including: a low-rise, home-like setting; suburban neighborhood; attractive, colorful furniture; accessories and pictures; low residential density; lots of windows to permit natural light and; views to a natural, tree filled setting with attractive, landscaped grounds, including shrubs and seasonal flowering plants.

The Cottages has all of these design and environmental ingredients which provide our residents with a place to recover. Residents have their own space and lots of windows to beautiful views of our grounds. We have also paid special attention to our facility’s “curb appeal” and have ensured that private and common spaces are nicely furnished and decorated.

In order to ensure variety, our in-house decorating time worked with a small number of furniture and accessory suppliers to bring in attractive and colorful pieces. Our goal has been to create a warm and cozy setting that feels like home.

Please click on the link below to read supporting research reports on this topic.

http://www.norix.com/pdf-downloads/whitepaper-behhc.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3456225/pdf/11524_2006_Article_257.pdf

Anxiety disorders symptoms usually start in early adulthood and affect around five percent of the general population. Different types of anxiety disorders include OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Panic Disorder and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Social Phobia and other Phobias.

Research has shown that a group of people with different types of anxiety disorders can be treated together to understand their thoughts and feelings. Patients undergoing the transdiagnostic approach improved significantly, especially if they had a co-existing disease along with the primary diagnosis, such as depression. This research showed that over two-thirds of the comorbid diagnoses went away compared to normally expected results of around 40% improvement.

To read the article and learn more, please click on the link below.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=247340

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions in a therapeutic relationship in order to help people with mental illness to develop relationships and to address certain issues they are unable to through verbal communication. Music Therapy sessions can be individual or group and can involve listening to music, playing music and music themed discussions.

Direct benefits mentally ill people can experience include reduced muscle tension, decreased anxiety, increased self-esteem, and provide a safe and successful emotional release, among others. Various research studies have shown that Music Therapy benefits people who have a variety of mental illnesses including schizophrenia and major depression.

To read the report by the American Music Therapy Association, click on the link below.

http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/bib_psychopathology.pdf

An article appearing in the April-June 2008 edition of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry discusses how poor food choices and diets deficient in a variety of food components such as carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals can have a contributory effect on the incidence and severity of depression. As examples, diets low in carbohydrates tend to precipitate depression and diets deficient in omega-3 fatty acids from fish have been linked to higher rates of major depression.

The Cottages on Mountain Creek understands that an effective, high quality nutrition program can return substantial benefits to our residents. Our meal plans are based on the principle of beneficial nutritional planning in order to provide our residents with a wide variety of food choices, including fresh herbs and vegetables from our own organic garden, while delivering the important food nutrients they need for better physical and mental health.

To read the full article and learn more about the links between nutrition, depression and mental illness, please click on the link below.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337