DHSS Press Release

DPC UNIT CLOSES AFTER SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION OF 35 PATIENTS INTO HOME-BASED SERVICES

New Castle, DE - In keeping its commitment to reduce reliance on institutional care and expand community-based services for Delawareans living with mental illness, the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) has completed placement of 35 DPC patients into community settings. The expansion, announced last November, enabled to DPC to close one of its seven operating units and redeploy staff at the remaining units according to clinical needs. This change was endorsed by Governor's DPC Task Force.

"The transfer of 35 DPC patients and the closing of an operating unit is representative of the hospital's ongoing commitment to community service expansion," said Renata Henry, Director, DSAMH. The Division and the DPC continue to strive to reduce reliance on institutional care and expand community-based services for Delawareans living with mental illness."

DSAMH's Community Based Services approach places a strong emphasis on activities which are integrated into the normal life of the patient and the community. Through this process a patient learns and practices coping strategies which help to offset the effects of their condition and allow a person to live more independently. The services may be provided within a facility or they may be provided off site, integrated into the normal community settings of the individual. Coordination with other mental health treatment services, both inpatient and outpatient, is provided.

"The overwhelming majority of people who have mental illnesses are capable of living independently in their own homes," said Steve Dettwyler, Director, DSAMH, Community Mental Health, "but quite often stigma and the prevailing myths and misperceptions about mental illness result in unfounded fear, mistrust and prevent people who have mental illnesses from securing housing and socializing in the community."

"Living at home or in another community-based alternative increases a person's self-confidence and quality-of-life, which in turn, aids in recovery," said Renata Henry, Director, DSAMH. "Living in the community is not stigmatizing, costs less to taxpayers, and allows people who have mental illnesses to be closer to their natural support systems, such as families and friends."

The service expansion began in January with 10 patients to supervised apartments and an additional 10 patients in February. The supervised apartment program provides on-site staff availability and support 24 hours a day to the patients. The goal of the program is the development of skills needed for independent living and the promotion of mental health stability so they can move on to fully independent community living.

A total of 15 patients were transferred to three group homes. In the group home program, patients are supervised 24/7 and follow a schedule, where they take part in day programs, join in household chores, receive psychiatric treatment, medication management assistance, crisis intervention, life skills training, and staff to assist residents with their personal needs and social skills.

People who are unable to receive appropriate mental health services often use the most expensive public services such as emergency rooms, hospital psychiatric beds, detoxification services, residential treatment programs, and, in some cases, jail cells. This puts an avoidable financial burden on local communities in the form of increased costs for physical healthcare, mental healthcare, substance abuse and correctional institutions.

To date, DSAMH and its partners have placed almost 200 patients in community based housing, including eight supervised apartments and 17 group homes throughout the state, in addition to the 200+ patients currently served in its hospital on the Herman Holloway Sr. Campus in New Castle.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.