St. Joseph's Health – SJH Behavioral Health Care

Overview

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that, of New York’s approximately 19.5 million residents, close to 673,000 adults and 204,000 children live with serious mental conditions (2010). St. Joseph’s has been designated by the state of New York as a Community Mental Health Center since 1967 and has offered mental health care to the community since 1947. St. Joseph’s provides a full continuum of mental health services including: the region’s only psychiatric emergency program (CPEP); a 30-bed inpatient unit; outpatient psychotherapy; adult day treatment programs; rehabilitation and supported employment programs; transitional living services; access for the homeless; and LINK, a school-based program for at-risk children and families.

Impact

In 2015, SJH’s Behavioral Services provided more than 54,000 outpatient visits, including more than 17,300 child/youth visits, and 1,054 inpatient admissions. The scope of these services is matched by their quality. Primary care and behavioral health services were co-located in three primary care clinics, and universal behavioral health screenings were established at all primary care centers.

Lessons Learned

Program leaders realized that service delivery is changing from a medical model to a more recovery and person-centered model, and it is vital to have quality collaboration and integration of all stakeholders.

Future Goals

Future goals include: 1) Integrating behavioral health with primary care and substance use services; 2) With integration of these services, working with patients to stay healthy and out of the hospital; 3) Creating a more positive financial bottom line within Behavioral Health Services; 4) Remaining current with health care reform to continue providing quality services; and 5) Working with community partners to increase education to both providers and patients regarding neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Contact: Lisa Laribee
Manager, Grants & Foundation Relations
Telephone: 315-703-2135
Email: lisa.laribee@sjhsyr.org