Caring Behaviors

To carry out the DDPC’s mission of reducing the burden of mental illness on individuals in our care, their family members, and on our shared community, we will treat everyone with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Strive for Excellence. Exceed Expectations.

Competing with our own standards or those established by an outside force provides motivation for improvement. Each interaction with a patient, coworker or the public provides both a challenge and an opportunity for us to strive for excellence and exceed expectations. Identifying what is expected is often difficult, but our goal is to do so and then exceed them. This attitude with co-workers builds morale; with patients, it builds trust and motivation to engage in treatment; and with the public it fosters and facilitates better lives for our patients.

Value the Person. Treat the Illness.

Our patients are unique individuals who happen to have a mental illness. Never forget that the patient has a life with loved ones, hopes and dreams, an individual personality, and something to offer to those around him/her. Understanding that patient actions may be illness-driven allows us to be more empathetic while providing quality care.

Believe in Growth and Change.

Things won’t change without believing that they can change. If we approach patients and coworkers positively, they will rise to our expectations. Recovery is a process that follows a unique path for each person.

Respect Boundaries.

Common courtesy is a simple yet profound thing to offer. Respecting the choice and the emotion is our starting place in a therapeutic alliance and in any interaction.

Every Day Matters.

We can make a difference in others’ lives with every interaction we have. We need to take advantage of every opportunity to teach, say kind words, or offer support for patients and coworkers.

Never Give Up.

Victory over despair is a goal for all people, whatever they may be struggling with. We are all responsible for keeping each other motivated. Show your optimism---it may be contagious.

Integrity

Trust is built when we say and do the right thing despite adversity. It starts with leadership and includes four integral moral and ethical factors: courage, responsibility, accountability, and consistency.

Courage - Do the right thing.
Responsibility – Do your job without excuse or exception.
Accountability - Be responsible for your actions and the actions of your staff.
Consistency – Follow your principles. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Inconsistency gives the impression of being unreliable,insincere, and untrustworthy.

Respect

We all deserve respect. We show respect by treating other people the way we want to be treated. We have more in common than we have differences. Everyone deserves to be treated with civility and dignity. Never intentionally ridicule or embarrass. Look for the win/win resolutions.

Compassion

We need to keep in mind that when people are in pain or under stress they are not at their best. We must reach out with kindness to those who are suffering to help them find ways to alleviate the suffering as if it were our own.

Hope

Adversity can be overcome. Although we may not understand why today, there is a purpose to continuing to move forward no matter what. Tomorrow can be a better day.

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