Tawas Women Finds Help and Hope at Midland Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial Hospitalization Program Patient
"Of all the things I’ve tried so far, this is by far the best. It was actually fun. I learned so much from others in my group and the staff is mind-blowing; they always knew the exact thing to say to a person at any given time to offer care, expertise and support."
Jules Brown, 54, lost her son when he was just 27 years old. As one might expect, she had trouble working through her grief and struggled to find joy in her life without him. She sought out therapy and tried a variety of medications to help her cope with post-traumatic stress disorder flashbacks and depression. But four years after he passed, she found herself at an all-time low. She was spending most of her time indoors with the television on even though she wasn’t watching it, withdrawn from friends and family and had no desire to play with her grandchildren. Fortunately, she realized she needed help and reached out to her therapist who recommended the Midland Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offered at MyMichigan Health. Now, she feels like she’s got the tools she needs to enjoy life and be an involved member of her family.
Brown, a Tawas resident, learned that MyMichigan’s Midland PHP program is an intensive outpatient therapeutic experience that doesn’t require the 24-hour supervised care of an inpatient program. Enrolled patients meet in group and individual settings during the day, then stay at home at night. Brown’s sister lives in the Midland area.
“I just couldn’t pull myself out of it,” said Brown. “My depression was so bad. I sat in my chair most of the day with the TV on, but I couldn’t even concentrate on it. I had zero energy and really just wanted to be left alone. When my therapist told me about the PHP, something in me knew this was my chance to change things, so I connected with my sister. She offered to let me stay with her while I was enrolled in the program, and I left the next day.”
The PHP program has been successful for more than 27 years at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma. MyMichigan Health is working to offer the program in more of their service areas, the campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland being the second to offer this service. The PHP treatment team includes psychiatrists, masters-level therapists, advance practice providers and registered nurses. A daily schedule includes psychotherapeutic group sessions and psychoeducational sessions. Patients also have access to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner at least once a week for consultation or medication review.
“We are very excited to be offering this service in Midland and the surrounding communities,” said Meghan Dahl, L.M.S.W., program supervisor. “The PHP provides daily, intensive care for folks who are really struggling with their mental health but are able to return safely home at nights and weekends. We have been very intentional about creating therapeutic groups that build helpful coping tools, and our team is simply phenomenal. Since we opened the program, we have gotten so many positive comments. It is truly an amazing thing to see the turnaround folks can experience in this program.”
“I was in the program for two weeks,” explained Brown. “Of all the things I’ve tried so far, this is by far the best. It was actually fun. I learned so much from others in my group and the staff is mind-blowing; they always knew the exact thing to say at a person at any given time to offer care, expertise and support.”
Brown stated that she enjoyed the crafting projects done in groups, something she never would have thought she’d like. As a self-proclaimed clock-watcher, she also said the time flew by each day. Now that she’s back home, she is putting what she learned in the program into practice. She uses affirmations and journaling techniques daily to stay on track and remain positive. Her medications have been adjusted and she was connected to a new therapist she sees remotely, an option she truly appreciates.
“There is absolutely nothing I would change about that program,” said Brown. “I was worried that it would be boring and painful, but it was the opposite; it was rewarding, educational and fun. Being with and learning from others was a great experience. PHP has changed my life, and I would recommend it to anyone.”
The PHP program accepts voluntary self-referrals, community or physician referral. Sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about the PHP program at MyMichigan Health visit www.mymichigan.org/php or call the MyMichigan Medical Center Midland PHP at (989) 839-3385.
