Day Programs

These are the relationships and connections we have with those around us. Friends, family, coworkers, schoolmates, romantic partners, and acquaintances are all examples of interpersonal relationships. We focus on assertive communication, team-building exercises, and other trust building activities to strengthen this skill.

These are important for recognizing and solving everyday problems we all face. We have group sessions focused on brainstorming, analyzing, and communicating in ways that put these skills together in order to effectively identify solutions to life’s challenges. We use activities such as games, puzzles, and other interactive tools that promote critical thinking.

It’s important to manage stress so that we can limit the physical toll it takes on us. Groups centered around the importance of self-care and avoiding unhealthy habits teach the skills required to successfully reduce the negative effects of stress. Activities such as deep breathing, guided meditation, and other mindfulness exercises are used to develop this skill.

It’s necessary to understand your symptoms and the medications you take for effective treatment. We schedule informative, non-therapeutic groups based around symptoms shared across multiple mental health illnesses and discuss the necessity of taking medications as they are prescribed by a medical provider. We demonstrate how to use medication organizers, and discuss using calendars and notes as reminders for medication times.

Everyone experiences anger. It usually follows feelings of frustration, helplessness, or sadness. Groups and activities used to build this skill focus on identifying personal triggers, assertive communication of your concerns, and coping strategies to limit the negative physical effects of anger. We use journaling, role-playing, and other exercises to demonstrate this skill.

Socialization is a necessary building block for healthy communication and relationships. We utilize activities such as conversation balls, role play, interactive games, and creative activities in order to develop and maintain social skills within our groups.

We are not able to manage our stress, anger, or other intense emotions without the use of good coping strategies. We demonstrate this in our peer group settings through learning about a new creative outlets, talking about or writing down feelings, or engaging in exercise. Sharing with one another and learning about various strategies helps us cope with life’s stressors.

There are many different types of community resources; including libraries, schools, places of worship, law enforcement, medical providers, and shopping centers. We provide information on how to use these resources, and occasionally schedule a community outing to learn more about a specific resource. Some previous outing locations include local fire departments, public libraries, shopping centers, and the state capitol.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, “More than one in four adults living with serious mental health problems also has a substance use problem.” While it is not always the case, often times people living with a mental illness use drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication. Our non-therapeutic mental health day treatment is a safe and welcoming space for anyone living with a severe or persistent mental illness, substance use disorder, or both. Groups and activities will focus on understanding and managing symptoms, building communication and interpersonal skills, and other aspects of daily living.