Enhanced Outpatient Program at Wilkinsburg

The Wilkinsburg Office of Milestone serves a high percentage of seriously and persistently mentally ill persons (SPMI). Many of these clients have repeated hospitalizations due to medication non-compliance, substance abuse in addition to mental illness, or having multiple mental health disorders, such as depression and PTSD or bipolar disorder and a personality disorder. The Wilkinsburg Outpatient staff began an Enhanced Outpatient Program (EOP) in October 2005 to meet these clients' needs.

The program accommodates a minimum of 8 and maximum of 12 patients. Each client attends an average 2.5 hours a day for three days per week for at least 4-6 weeks. The program consists of a core “Coping Skills” group using a CBT modality to teach clients skills for managing symptoms. Other groups address common issues in mental health recovery and include “Overcoming Mood Disorders,” “Overcoming Thought Disorders,” “Health in Recovery,” and “Dual Recovery.”

Existing clients continue to see their psychiatrist and have regular weekly individual sessions with their primary therapist. Referrals are accepted on a continuous basis. Client progress toward treatment goals is reviewed weekly at treatment team meetings.

Outcomes:

Outcomes are measured utilizing proven valid, self administered pre- and post-treatment inventories, such as the Beck Depression Inventory, Goldberg’s Depression and Mania Scales, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, etc.

We anticipate that clients who complete the EOP program will have:

fewer hospitalizations;
better medication compliance;
fewer crisis calls;
improved overall treatment compliance;
a quicker return to optimal functioning;
improved physical health due to better compliance with physician and dental appointments, management of chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension, and improved diet and exercise regiments;
an improved utilization of community resources, such as education, vocational rehabilitation, and social services;
treatment goals that encompass more complex life skills issues, rather than simple “survival” goals.

To date, 21 people have completed the program. All have stated that it helped them to manage their illness better and remain in the community. Though it is still early in the program’s history, it appears that the Enhanced Outpatient Program can help our clients achieve a better management of their mental illness in the community.