Sam, now in his late 20s, has experienced behavioral problems as a child and has been hospitalized multiple times as an adult for mental health needs and drug addiction. Like many people living with mental health needs, Sam's treatment has been a lifelong journey for her, requiring a variety of inpatient and outpatient services at different stages. This can be especially difficult for low-income people like Sam and those experiencing homelessness who rely on Medicaid. One in five adults nationwide experience a mental illness, and nearly one in three do not receive the treatment they need.
While approximately 4% of the general adult population has a serious mental illness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that 45% of the homeless population experiences some form of mental illness and 25% of this population suffers from a serious mental illness. We estimate that
“Providing high-quality, affordable services not only benefits individuals with mental health needs, but also communities and society as a whole,” said Compass Health, a community-based behavioral health agency. said Dr. Katie Gilligan, Chief Medical Officer. It primarily serves Medicaid-eligible low-income and homeless people in Northwest Washington. “By providing a continuum of triage, inpatient, and outpatient services, we prevent mental health crises and homelessness, keep people in jobs, keep families safe, and help law enforcement and other communities… We can reduce the burden on our partners.”
Comprehensive care makes the difference
When mental illness is deeply connected to the life challenges a person faces, comprehensive care can have a powerful impact. After Sam was hospitalized, she attended Compass Health's Assertive Her Community Treatment Program. This is an intensive, evidence-based outpatient treatment program that helps adults with intensive behavioral health needs overcome barriers to recovery.
Experts suggest looking for the following services in an intensive outpatient mental health program:
- Clinicians assist with case management, including frequent client visits.
- Peer support both individually and in groups.
- Psychiatric support.
- Coordination with community partners that provide housing, medical, financial, and vocational programs.
PACT's multidisciplinary team includes mental health professionals, psychiatrists, nurses, clinicians, peer counselors, and substance use disorder experts. These teams provide comprehensive services, with most clients visiting several times a week or multiple times a day to promote stabilization and recovery. The PACT team also works with other community partners to connect clients to other needed supports to promote healthy, independent living.
Since enrolling in PACT, Sam has only been hospitalized once and achieved sobriety. Through his perseverance, resilience, and the help of his support team, Sam has made his way to recovery.
This type of intensive support can be the difference in truly improving the quality of life for individuals with behavioral health needs. Compass Health's Broadway campus redevelopment, scheduled for completion in summer 2025, will help increase the availability of these types of services. This state-of-the-art facility provides 24-hour crisis care for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis and offers an array of inpatient and intensive outpatient services to provide continuity of care. Designed for easy access.
For Sam and many others, the continuum of care, from mental health crisis services to sustained, long-term support, has a real impact on quality of life. “It is important to provide a range of services that are tailored to each individual's individual circumstances on their mental health journey,” says Gilligan.
compass health A leader in behavioral health in northwest Washington. From comprehensive mental health treatment to crisis prevention and intervention, supportive housing, child services and more, we serve people of all ages in Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Whatcom Counties .
