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Our Clinical Services

 

Inpatient Treatment

DDPC is one of the two state run public psychiatric hospitals in Maine and serves as the tertiary care hospital for adults with serious and persistent mental illness in the northern 2/3 of the state.

DDPC provides thorough interdisciplinary assessment, specialized and intensive care and treatment, and in-depth discharge planning for individuals for whom shorter hospitalization in private psychiatric hospitals is insufficient. Most admissions are in transfer from other psychiatric hospitals once it has been determined that the patient would best be served in the DDPC setting.

DDPC uses interdisciplinary treatment with treatment teams made up of psychiatric and medical physicians, nursing staff (RNs, LPNs, mental health workers), social workers, occupational therapists, and recreation therapists, as well as psychologists, substance abuse counselors, physical rehab specialists, clinical dieticians, and a chaplain as the patient needs define.
DDPC admits both voluntary and involuntary patients. Inpatients are housed on coed units of 12 to 18 beds. Each patient has an individualized treatment plan that is designed to help the patient move towards a successful life outside the hospital. Treatment interventions include medications, education regarding illness and coping strategies, and coaching and therapy to help patients develop and practice new skills. These interventions are provided in an environment that aims to support health and recovery.

DDPC offers a variety of settings for active treatment. Much treatment is carried out on the residential units, but there are many off-unit treatment sites as well. The Wilson Treatment Mall provides an array of psycho-educational programs to help patients learn about illness, treatment, and management strategies. A well-equipped gym and recreation and craft areas allow patients to develop or improve leisure interests and skills as well as physical well-being. The gift shop provides a variety of “hands on” opportunities for improving work skills, and a fully furnished “apartment” allows patient’s living skills to be assessed and practiced in a safe and realistic setting. Community activities and offerings are also incorporated into patient’s treatment as is helpful.

Outpatient Services

DDPC offers an array of services Monday through Friday for adults diagnosed with major mental illness who live in the community. There are three separate programs for outpatients; each is designed to address the needs of individuals who are not able to be served by community providers.

  • The Outpatient Psychopharmacology Clinic (OPC) provides psychiatric assessment, medication monitoring and medication prescription to individuals who are unable to maintain services from community providers.
  • The Community Link and Support Program (CLASP) offers individual and group treatment in the afternoons. These treatments are aimed at helping outpatients gain knowledge about illness and treatment as well as learn and practice skills to improve autonomy and quality of life.
  • The Bangor Dental Clinic offers dental care to persons who have had treatment for mental illness provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (including contracted agencies) or treatment for developmental disabilities by the Department of Health and Human Services. The clinic is open Monday through Thursday. For more information or referral call 941-4120.