Programs for Mental Illness and Intellectual Disabilities
Who this Program Treats
For a person suffering from intellectual or developmental disabilities, day-to-day functions may be a challenge. At Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI), we recognize that the combination of intellectual disabilities and mental illness/psychiatric disorders can be a challenge for the patient and the family.
People suffering from intellectual or developmental disabilities face struggles when dealing with mental illness including depression, anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, avoidant disorders and dementias. Therefore, they may require specific programs.
Services this Program Offers
The Division Street Clinic (formerly called “Milestones”) in Harrisburg is an outpatient treatment center serving adults dually diagnosed with both mental illness and intellectual disability. All patients must have adequate verbal and cognitive abilities to participate in group therapy.
Programs offered at the Division Street Clinic include:
Adult Intensive Outpatient Program
This program is for adults age 19 to 65 with a mental health disorder and moderate to borderline intellectual disability. Those enrolled in this program participate in group therapy, receiving three hours of therapy up to three days a week. The therapy sessions discuss goals established by the patient and therapist and intensively focus on coping skills and problem solving related to those goals.
Adult Partial Hospitalization Program
Through this program, adults who have a developmental or intellectual disability receive mental health treatment aimed at alleviating problems/symptoms and enhance quality of life. Patients receive treatment from a variety of mental health experts, including psychiatrist, therapists and psychiatric nurses. Treatment includes a series of three to six hours of group therapy. If on medication, the patient has regularly scheduled visits with the psychiatrist.
Outpatient Medication Program
Through this program, adults who have a developmental or intellectual disability and who have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder receive a psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management.
Older Adult Program
This program is for adults age 65 and over who have chronic psychiatric problems. The program provides psychiatric evaluations, group therapy and medication management.
Dementia Assessment
While there is currently no cure for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, an early diagnosis can mean more effective treatment that can help slow the progression of these conditions. This program evaluates adults age 65 and older for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The three-hour evaluation includes neuropsychiatric testing by a psychologist. Follow up appointments for medication management can be provided, as well as support and education for the family.
Getting Started
For more information about the services offered at the Division Street Clinic, call (717) 782-4349.