September 2012 - Hopewell Therapeutic Farm

Affordable Health Care Act Helps Individuals with Mental Illness

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Ann Thompson

Though the Affordable Health Care Act is controversial, we felt it was important to point out the significant benefits people with a mental illness will now have. This article does not represent a position on the legislation. It can be difficult for people with a mental illness to find affordable, quality insurance coverage.

Estimates show that one-fifth to one-third of the uninsured in the U.S. are people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. The Affordable Health Care Act takes steps to change this situation:

One of the act’s most significant components is prohibiting the exclusion of people with a pre-existing illness from medical coverage.
It allows young people to remain on their parents’ insurance until they are 26. The majority of mental illnesses have developed by age 24, so this change will allow for early treatment.
The act grants an estimated 3.7 million more people with severe mental illness access to care through provisions to expand Medicaid, subsidize private insurance for those who are ineligible for Medicaid and require employers to offer insurance.

At Hopewell, we know that people can recover from mental illness and that treatment works, but only if you receive it. As Dr. Dilip V. Jeste, president of the American Psychiatric Association, stated, “This law has the potential to change the course of life for psychiatric patients for the better.”

*Source: Richard A. Friedman, M.D., “Good News for Mental Illness in Health Law.” The New York Times, July 10, 2012

Helping to Heal

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Ann Thompson

Opinions about the most effective approaches to treating individuals with a serious mental illness are many. At Hopewell, we focus on what is called milieu therapy. This means that the community at Hopewell serves as an important and affirming resource for giving and receiving emotional support. It is the primary healing agent.

In my experience, there are four essential elements that are key to understanding and fostering this healing process. They are:

Safe environment – Having a feeling of safety and security allows individuals to work on their inner self and personal goals. They are able to trust others which then allows for greater learning and growing. Providing a safe, peaceful and therapeutic environment is why Hopewell’s rural location was chosen.

Time to Heal – There are few shortcuts to healing from most serious injuries or illnesses. The same holds true for mental illness. Expecting a miracle technique or magical pills to “cure” a mental illness is not realistic. Hopewell holds that sustained holistic treatment is the most effective means to achieving recovery.

Support System – It is essential that individuals with serious mental illness have active professional, peer and family support in order to achieve optimum results. Support can be rendered in many ways, but most importantly, the recovering individual needs to feel valued, respected and actively engaged in the treatment process.

Knowing the Difference Between Healing and Coping – Both are important and necessary for recovery and wellness. Finding ways to cope helps individuals manage their symptoms and maintains their sense of well being. For some people, however, coping may only serve as temporary solution to a more complex condition.

At Hopewell we offer the opportunity for these individuals to truly “heal” through the integration of a holistic mind, body, spirit approach. Our goal is to help residents have the time to achieve and realize a more sustained recovery and to experience more of their unique potential and sense of personal fulfillment.

Thanks to the active support of our Board, staff, volunteers and friends, Hopewell has been able to develop the resources and expertise to help make a positive difference in the lives of the individuals we serve.

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