Since 2015, the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers’ Association (TMHCA) has partnered to deliver the Peer Intensive Care Services (PICS) program. This initiative utilizes 16 Certified Peer Recovery Specialists to leverage peer support, significantly improving results for Tennesseans admitted to Regional Mental Health Institutes (RMHIs) or Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs). This Intensive Care Program is designed to offer crucial support during and after acute mental health episodes.
Program Goals: Enhancing Recovery and Community Reintegration
The intensive care program has several key objectives centered around improving patient journeys and long-term wellness:
- Reducing Hospital Readmissions: A primary goal is to decrease the frequency of readmission to hospitals or CSUs, fostering sustained recovery in community settings.
- Boosting Engagement with Community Providers: The program aims to increase patient connection with community behavioral health providers after discharge, ensuring continuous care.
- Providing Mental Health Education: Offering comprehensive information and education about mental illness and available treatments empowers individuals to manage their health proactively.
- Strengthening Support Systems and Coping Mechanisms: By building robust support networks and coping skills, the program assists individuals in smoothly transitioning back into their local communities.
- Promoting Wellness and Community Connections: Ultimately, the intensive care program is dedicated to enhancing personal wellness and recovery by linking individuals with vital community support systems.
How the Intensive Care Program Works: Peer-Led Support and Guidance
Peer Intensive Care Specialists play a pivotal role in this program. They engage with individuals admitted to the four RMHIs and seven CSUs in Tennessee. These specialists, known as PICS, conduct peer support groups within these facilities, focusing on:
- Sharing Inspiring Recovery Stories: PICS share their own lived experiences with mental health recovery to instill hope and demonstrate the possibility of wellness.
- Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP®): Facilitating WRAP workshops empowers individuals to develop personalized plans for managing their mental health and well-being.
- Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals through Education (BRIDGES): The BRIDGES program helps participants set and achieve personal recovery goals through education and support.
- Suicide Prevention Education: Providing crucial education on suicide prevention strategies and resources enhances safety and awareness.
- Diverse Peer Recovery Education Topics: PICS also cover a range of other relevant peer recovery education topics tailored to participant needs.
Beyond group sessions, PICS contribute in various ways within RMHIs and CSUs. This includes participating in treatment team meetings, offering individualized peer support, coordinating necessary appointments and post-discharge arrangements, and connecting individuals with valuable community-based resources.
The 90-Day Aftercare Program: Sustained Support Post-Discharge
A vital component of the intensive care program is a voluntary 90-day aftercare service provided by Peer Intensive Care Specialists following discharge. This program is structured to provide continuous support during the critical transition period:
- Immediate Post-Discharge Contact: PICS reach out to individuals within 24 hours of their discharge from the RMHI or CSU.
- Appointment Accompaniment: If desired, PICS accompany individuals to their initial follow-up appointment, offering support and reducing anxiety.
- Person-Centered Care Coordination Support Plan: Within seven days of discharge, an in-person meeting is arranged to collaboratively create a tailored care coordination support plan.
- Weekly Follow-Up and Safety Checks: PICS conduct weekly phone calls throughout the 90-day period to provide ongoing support and safety monitoring.
- Progress Assessment Meetings: In-person meetings are scheduled at 30, 60, and 90 days post-discharge to evaluate progress in establishing community supports and achieving recovery goals.
- Satisfaction Surveys: To ensure program effectiveness and gather feedback, satisfaction surveys are administered on day 30 and day 90 after discharge.
For detailed information about the intensive care program, please visit the TMHCA Website.
