Creating a Flexible Outpatient Mental Health Transitions Program

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2020 Jun;41(6):500-505. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1681566. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Abstract

Limited resources to support persons with mental illness create a crisis in our health care system. There is a shortage of inpatient beds, and emergency departments are overwhelmed by the number of persons experiencing a mental illness crisis. This article describes the design of a program to address the gaps in treatment. The goal of the program was to decrease the length of stay for inpatient mental health care and to divert emergency department patients. We describe the multidisciplinary brainstorming session that envisioned this program, how it differs from previous programs, the staffing model, curriculum, outcomes, and future plans.

MeSH terms

  • Crisis Intervention
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Health Transition*
  • Humans
  • Inpatients
  • Length of Stay
  • Mental Disorders
  • Mental Health Services*
  • Outpatients*
  • Program Development*