MH Brief Adult Services

Many mental health problems experienced by adults arise in response to family crises, unusually high stress, and traumatic events. Brief adult services provide a variety of therapeutic services for adults experiencing severe psychological and/or interpersonal difficulties. Many services to adults are provided in a group therapy format. Since interpersonal relationship problems are almost always present, spouses and other family members may also be involved in treatment. Types of problems treated include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Severe relationship problems
• Antisocial behavior
• Adjustment to traumatic events

The needs for mental health by adults in the community are quite varied.  Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services aims its services at those who are unable to receive services in the private care sector and those who tend to experience more severe problems. Often these adults have a history of psychiatric hospitalization or have been involved in the criminal justice system. Therefore, the population being served are focused on the following six categories of adults:

1. Those individuals over the age of 18 who suffer severe emotional,
   relational, or psychiatric problems, but who do not suffer from chronic,
   disabling mental illness of psychotic proportions.
2. Those individuals involved in the court or correctional system for whom
   mental health services are deemed important to the individual and
   society in general.
3. Those individuals referred for follow-up treatment following psychiatric
   hospitalization or from emergency services related to suicidal or violent
   behavior.
4. Elderly individuals (over age 64) experiencing psychological problems
   associated with aging, including depression or other mental disorders.
5. Those individuals who have been charged with a crime and for whom
   a forensic evaluation has been ordered to determine competency to
   stand trial, mental status at the time of offense, and/or pre-sentencing recommendations.

Mental health services to the populations described above include a broad range of clinical evaluations and treatment which are provided on an outpatient basis.

• Clinical evaluations include psychological, psychiatric, medication,
  and forensic evaluations.
• Treatment services include various modes of  psychotherapy and
  chemotherapy.
• Case consultation is provided to other agencies, including social
  services, schools, courts, and the Commonwealth Attorney's office. 
  Psychiatric hospitalization referrals are made as appropriate.