Mental health and wellness

Our mental and behavioral health programs cover many inpatient and outpatient services for adults 18 years old and older. Following an assessment, we will develop an individualized care plan that prioritizes your safety, stabilization, outpatient treatment opportunities, aftercare, individual empowerment and family education.

Crisis and referral programs

Our free, 24/7 crisis line lets you speak with a trained mental health professional any time, day or night. Our mission is to connect individuals and families in crisis with the right level of care for emotional or behavioral issues. We also work closely with community organizations to help those in need of support services that aren’t available at the hospital.

For crisis and referral services, call (603) 433-5270.

Inpatient mental health services

Our voluntary inpatient program provides treatment, counseling and medication management for individuals 18 years old and older experiencing acute psychiatric, emotional or behavioral disorders. Your safety and security are our guiding factors for identifying your ideal treatment and care environment.

Our facility provides 24/7 monitoring and care. The duration of inpatient treatment depends on your needs, but is typically six to 10 days. The 18-bed behavioral health unit, offers a warm environment for recovery, that includes private and group therapy rooms, dedicated dining areas and a common space for rest and rejuvenation.

Disability and interpreter services

If you or your companions are deaf, hard of hearing or in need of an interpreter, we provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services free of charge, including:

• Assistive listening devices and systems
• Sign language and oral interpreters
• Telephone handset amplifiers
• Telephones compatible with hearing aids
• Teleprinters (TTYs)
• Televisions with caption capability
• Video remote interpreting services
• Written materials

Upon arrival, please notify your admission team if you need assistance.

Family and peer support meetings

Family and peer support are vital to your recovery. Before discharge, we encourage you to schedule a family meeting to discuss your treatment. These meetings can occur outside of visiting hours.

Getting the most out of your care

Recovery can mean many things, but you get to decide what it means to you. We are here to help you begin the process of improving your physical and emotional health, wellness and quality of life.

Upon arrival, first, you’ll meet with a member of our admissions team to complete the required paperwork. You will also be provided with an admission folder to help you keep organized during your stay. Then, we will check your personal belongings, clothes and bags. Restricted items must be sent home with a family member or secured in our locked storage. A staff member will conduct a unit tour and orient you to the procedures of the unit. We encourage you to make the most of hospitalization by:

• Accepting that recovery is an ongoing, delicate process
• Assessing your current support network
• Assuming responsibility for your recovery
• Attending groups and engaging with others
• Committing to making positive personal changes
• Creating a safety plan
• Establishing healthy eating, sleeping and self-care patterns
• Focusing on solutions, instead of problems
• Focusing on your personal situation
• Giving yourself credit where credit is due
• Initiating aftercare planning with your treatment team
• Reflecting on what makes your life meaningful
• Remaining accountable for keeping track of your needs
• Remaining realistically focused on your goals and thinking
• Requesting information about your diagnosis
• Using the support of staff for guidance and resources

How long you’ll stay

There’s no set length of time it takes someone to learn new ways to cope and recover. Many insurance companies authorize several days at a time for inpatient care. Our case management team works with your insurance carrier to advocate for the length of time you need.

Linens and laundry

The hospital provides you with all linen and bedding, as well as access to an on-site washer and dryer for laundry. We can also give you approved personal hygiene items.

Meals

Part of building a healthy routine is eating regularly, and we have set times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to your meals, the hospital provides snacks, drinks and non-caffeinated coffee. You are allowed to order caffeinated coffee with your breakfast. While we do not allow you to bring your own food and beverages, we provide many options, and accommodate dietary restrictions.

Telephone use

To ensure you spend most of your time focused on your recovery, cellphones are not permitted on the unit. You will have access to the hospital telephones when group sessions are not in progress.

Visiting hours

You are allowed one visitor at a time. If more than one visitor arrives, they must take turns meeting with you. Staff will accommodate more visitors if space on the unit allows. Visiting hours are:

• Monday through Friday — 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday —12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

What not to bring

For the safety of our unit, we do not allow any items that may be harmful or a distraction to others. This includes:

• Aerosol cans
• Belts and laces
• Clothing depicting drugs, alcohol or violence
• Electronic devices
• Food or beverages from outside
• Glass or plastic items
• Items containing substances
• Makeup
• Matches or lighters
• Objects containing metal
• Personal blankets, pillows and stuffed animals
• Personal hygiene items containing alcohol
• Sharp objects, such as nail clippers
• Weapons

If possible, send any valuable items home with friends or family members. Valuables can be locked in our lockers or stored in the hospital safe. We will send any medication labeled in pharmacy containers to our pharmacy.

What to bring

Staff will inspect personal items and bags brought in upon admission and during visiting hours. You are allowed to keep all unrestricted items with you. Staff will consider orthotics and allow these devices in compliance with your safety. Individuals are encouraged to bring:

• Jacket or sweater, depending on the weather
• Pajamas or nightgowns, without drawstrings
• Shoes or slippers that do not require laces and do not have buckles or unsafe objects
• Three to four changes of casual, comfortable clothes

Where you’ll stay

Depending on the number of people receiving treatment, you may share a room or have one to yourself. In addition to a bed, nightstand and storage cubby, your room will include a private bathroom with a toilet and shower. The behavioral health unit has several common areas. We encourage you to spend time outside your rooms and socialize in these areas with peers. The common areas are available to everyone during non-group times, and close at 11:00pm.

Involuntary emergency admission

While we do not provide involuntary emergency admission, you may find that at our sister facility, Portsmouth Regional Hospital. If two qualified professionals certify that your behavior presents an immediate threat of serious harm to yourself or others, due to mental illness, we will refer you to the facility most appropriate for this level of care.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP)

Our PHP offers an intense, individualized outpatient treatment setting for adults with symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

The PHP is designed for individuals:

• Experiencing challenges that inhibit everyday living
• Who have recently had an inpatient psychiatric admission and need to transition to a structured support program
• Wanting to develop coping skills for managing stress and mood changes

Treatment services we offer through the PHP include:

• Diagnostic assessment and evaluation
• Dynamic individual, family and group therapy sessions
• Group therapy, convening Monday through Friday
• Medication evaluation and management by a psychiatrist
• Referral to outpatient treatment services upon discharge

For PHP outpatient services at our Concord or Derry, New Hampshire, locations, please schedule an appointment. For further assistance, you may call (603) 421-2450 for Concord or (603) 421-3771 for Derry.

Treatment for eating disorders

We offer comprehensive eating disorder treatment through Reflections Eating Disorder Treatment Center, located in Parkland's Medical Office Building. Through this program, you gain access to inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient eating disorder care options.

Our team of experienced medical professionals applies a multispecialty care approach, combining expertise to address every situation, including those at risk of suicide. This care team may include:

• Addiction specialists
• Behavioral health professionals
• Board-certified psychiatrists
• Licensed social workers
• Psychiatric analysts
• Specialized nurses

Our mental health specialists offer additional resources for you to explore. Please see the below sites for more:

• Mental Health America (MHA) educational brochures
• Mental Health America (MHA) self-help tools
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) conditions list
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) fact sheet