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MINDS The Campaign for Skyland Trail
Having a mental illness
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MINDS The Campaign for Skyland Trail
changed my life. Coming to Skyland Trail changed my future.
At Skyland Trail, we’re in the business of changing minds. For 25 years, we have combined the best science with compassionate professionals and therapeutic environments to help change the way the world looks at mental illness. Our clients may begin treatment doubting that recovery is possible, but learn that life can be healthy, rewarding and productive. Families see their loved ones become stable and strong, and learn how to participate in the transformation. And beyond our campus, we stand as a national model for what works in helping adults achieve long-term recovery. The Changing Minds campaign will help us grow and innovate to meet the needs of adults and families reaching for recovery. We invite you to be a part of this important effort.
[Changing] How we treat people with mental illness [Changing] Melody’s expectations for what she could accomplish and what her future could hold.
“When I first entered Skyland Trail, I’d already been through three separate inpatient hospitalizations, and I was running dangerously low on hope. By treating me as an equal and encouraging me to believe in myself and my abilities, the incredible staff helped restore my sense of hope for the future. After graduating, I felt capable and ready to not only manage, but to thrive.”
Our recovery-focused treatment model is influencing a national shift in how the medical community views and treats individuals with mental illness. Our comprehensive treatment program embraces mind, body and spirit by integrating: • psychotherapy • medication management • primary medical care and wellness • hands-on expressive therapies • social skills coaching and practice • support to return to work or school This whole person approach, along with excellent management and customer service, has been applauded by the American Psychiatric Association, The Joint Commission, The Carter Center and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Guided by Science Science is the cornerstone of our programming. As the field of mental health advances, we evaluate new treatments and approaches, adopting those that research indicates hold the most promise. Collaborations with universities and research institutions offer unique opportunities for innovation. Our robust outcomes research program provides data on how clients respond to treatment and how their quality of life improves after leaving the program. Results guide future program enhancements.
2012 Outcome Highlights • 9 2% improvement in client attitudes toward medication adherence • 61% improvement in feelings of hopelessness • 70% improvement in symptoms of psychosis • 54% improvement in feelings of depression and/or anxiety • 53% improvement in relationship with self and others • 64% improvement in impulsive and addictive behaviors Ahead of the Curve Skyland Trail was one of the first residential programs to open an onsite primary care clinic; to encourage engagement through art, music and horticultural therapies; to offer evidence-based approaches like dialectical behavior therapy and dual diagnosis; and to measure our results. Over the next 25 years, what is already core programming at Skyland Trail will become the universal standard of care. Today, Skyland Trail undertakes an ambitious effort to meet the promise and demands of the future.
A Time[line] for Change ’89 Skyland Trail opens with four clients. ’95 Received Joint Commission accreditation. Skyland Trail recently received its seventh consecutive gold
The $18 million capital campaign will support the development of: • a specialized campus and programming for young adults ages 18 to 26 • an expanded primary care clinic to serve the larger community • renovations to existing facilities for increased efficiencies
What is the Changing Minds campaign? A critical expansion of facilities and programs to meet the needs of individuals and families living with mental illness.
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MINDS The Campaign for Skyland Trail
seal of approval.
’98 Groundbreaking for the Health and Education Center, our main campus including clinical, adjunctive and primary care services.
Our young adult treatment team has specialized expertise to help adults in their late teens and early 20s understand and manage their illness. Much like going to college, young adults learn and practice the skills they need to successfully pursue their goals for a fulfilling future.
Young adults interact with the world through technology. A specialized young adult facility that integrates technology into treatment will encourage young adults to actively participate and communicate with family and therapists. Young adult clients also benefit from cutting-edge computer-based therapies like Cognitive Remediation Therapy.
’02 Received the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Managing for Excellence Award
’04 Awarded the American Psychiatric Association Gold
[Changing] Futures for Young Adults Young adults ages 18 to 26 represent 50 percent of Skyland Trail clients. Symptoms of bipolar illness, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia often appear during this developmental period, and can be intensified by major life changes like going to college, or experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Early intervention can prevent years of suffering … changing futures and saving lives. Young adults face a gap in the system. While too old for child and adolescent programs, they may struggle with adolescent thought and behavior patterns and need specialized support to transition to adulthood. The Skyland Trail Young Adult Program fills this gap, helping adults in their late teens and early 20s learn to manage their illnesses, identify their strengths and work toward positive, productive futures. We plan to build on that success.
A specialized campus A 3.5 acre property adjacent to the existing main campus will become home to a new Young Adult Campus. A 24,000 square foot facility will include a 32-bed residential wing; community, recreation and dining areas; gardens; and treatment spaces. The campus is designed to leverage young adult interests and learning styles – facilitating the use of technology in treatment, fostering healthy social interactions, inviting family involvement, and promoting wellness through sports and recreation. The campus will increase our young adult capacity by 230 clients annually, representing more than 18,000 caredays. Within two years, projections indicate the expanded young adult program will be self-sustaining.
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[Changing] the way Brandon sees his diagnosis and his future.
“I have seen dramatic changes in my mood and my outlook on life and the future. My attitude is much more positive and I’m a lot less irritable. At first I didn’t think it would work, but attending Skyland Trail really saved me.”
50 percent of our clients are young adults ages 18 to 26.
A Time[line] for Change Achievement Award for excellence and innovation in service delivery.
’08 Onsite primary care clinic opens, one of the first for residential treatment programs.
[Changing] Expectations for a Healthy Life Adults with serious mental illness have a life expectancy 25 years shorter than their peers, largely due to treatable medical conditions. While ongoing research explores the brain-body connection and the causes of this increased risk, current evidence points to a possible solution: integrated medical and mental healthcare treatment. The Skyland Trail onsite primary care clinic, a groundbreaking innovation, opened in 2008. Clients receive an initial physical exam and continue to receive primary and preventive care services throughout their treatment. Medical professionals with expertise in the fusion of physical and mental health help clients adopt healthy lifestyles, complete and interpret lab tests, manage chronic diseases and seek specialized care if needed.
Many medications that reduce psychosis and improve mood can lead to the development of cardiometabolic syndrome, a constellation of symptoms including high body mass index and elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and glucose levels.
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Expanding Access to Innovative Care Expanding access to this unique integrated healthcare model beyond our client base would fill a critical need. We intend to transform existing space into an
outpatient services facility, expanding our primary care clinic and opening our doors to adults with a diagnosed mental illness in the community. We also will relocate our comprehensive psychiatric assessment services, admissions, and psychiatric services teams to create a one-stop-shop for outpatient services and new admissions. Increasing Our Capacity As Skyland Trail relocates our Young Adult Program, primary care clinic and admissions and psychiatric services teams, we will repurpose vacated spaces to meet other important needs. The Skyland Trail North residential campus will be transformed into 12 private apartments for transitional independent living, and space in the Health and Education Center will be retooled into classrooms, therapy spaces and resource centers to increase our capacity to serve more clients and offer additional specialized groups and services.
yrs. Adults with serious mental illness are at risk of dying 25 years earlier than peers, largely due to treatment medical conditions.
A Time[line] for Change ’10 Groundbreaking for the Dorothy C. Fuqua Center, home to the vocational services program.
’11 Skyland Trail implemented a new outcomes
“The evidence is becoming clear that mental illnesses and physical illnesses are inextricably linked. We know that people with mental illnesses have twice the rates of heart disease and diabetes and maybe even higher rates of pulmonary disease. If we don’t provide effective care to prevent those medical problems, we are not really doing all we can to help our clients live quality lives.”
assessment program.
—Ray Kotwicki, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
’12 After growing steadily for several years, the proportion of young adult clients reached 50 percent of admissions.
Think what it means to change a mind
Brooke Weinmann and Richard Parker with Beth Finnerty, President and CEO of Skyland Trail
Changing a mind can save a life. It can reunite families and open a world of possibilities for a life worth living. Changing a mind can make communities safer and healthier for everyone. Through the Changing Minds campaign, you can be a part of this important work. You can help us redefine what it means to live with a mental illness‌ redefine what it means to recover. Our goal through this campaign is to meet the promise and demands of the future by offering therapeutic, state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate, effective treatment for adults reaching for recovery. A unique young adult campus will help 18- to 26-year-olds regain stability, confidence and joy in life. People with mental illness who need primary care will find an open door. World-class clinical programs will have room to grow. And graduates returning to the community will have affordable transitional living space. As the national healthcare landscape shifts, and science illuminates the brain in ways never before imagined, Skyland Trail continues to strengthen its position as a proven leader in the field and a stronghold of hope. Please join us to help make it happen. What will you do to change minds?
Richard Parker, Campaign Co-Chair Brooke Weinmann, Campaign Co-Chair
campaign summary
Young Adult Targeted Program & Campus......... $15,988,000 Land & Site Development.......................................... $5,211,000 Construction*............................................................ $9,010,000 Endowment**......................................................... $1,5000,000 Program Start-Up......................................................... $267,000 Thrive Wellness Clinic........................................... $1,562,000 Construction*............................................................ $1,037,000 Endowment**.............................................................. $200,000 Program Start-Up......................................................... $325,000 Existing Facility Renovation..................................... $450,000 Total***................................................................. $18,000,000 *Includes A&E, FFE, and Contingency **20% of Construction, FFE and Landscape ***Includes Campaign Expenses
mind matters
30,000 30,000 Americans die from suicide each year.
suicide
1 in 4 Americans has a mental illness. 1 in 17 Americans has a serious mental illness.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college age adults.
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15million More than 15 million Americans experience depression each year. Only one-third receive the help they need.
30 to 50 percent of patients who suffer clinical depression are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
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Campaign Co-Chairs Richard C. Parker Brooke T. Weinmann Campaign Committee Members Vivian N. DuBose J. Rex Fuqua Carol G. Gellerstedt John C. Gordon Danica L. Griffith Dana Halberg Thomas D. Hills William E. Huger III Hugh M. “Don” Inman, Jr. Clay Jackson Melissa Lowe Jay Mitchell Jackie Montag Michelle Sullivan Mark Tipton Michael Tompkins
1961 North Druid Hills RD NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329 | Phone: 404-315-8333 | www.skylandtrail.org