Mental Health Recovery Services
The Mental Health Recovery Services Division, funded largely through the state’s Department of Mental Health, provides treatment, rehabilitation, support, and supervision for people with persistent mental illness. Consumers live in their own apartment, with or without a roommate, and receive services from one of six flexible support teams. All of our apartments are comfortable and attractive and have private bedrooms for each resident. Staffing levels vary according to each resident’s changing needs.
Within a safe and validating environment, staff collaborate with each individual to work toward his or her recovery. They assist residents to discover or re-discover interests, vocations, and hobbies that can bring renewed meaning and new focus to peoples’ lives. In addition, our staff provides individualized treatment designed to support positive behavioral changes and reduce symptoms and maladaptive behaviors. We assist residents in problem-solving and skill-building in the activities of daily living, including transportation utilization, resource management, educational and vocational activities, symptom management, social integration, and medication management.
We also offer a Peer Mentor Program. Peer Specialists, individuals who are in recovery from a mental health condition, support others on their own paths to recovery by sharing their own experiences, assisting residents in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), active listening, and role playing. Mentors also help in facilitating Creative Recovery Activities that include art, music, and writing groups.
In 2008 we created LifeBuilders, a vocational program which employs as many ServiceNet residents as possible. In addition to sheltered employment, LifeBuilders staff also assist residents in obtaining gainful employment in the community.
Our newly formed transportation service allows consumers to schedule rides to doctor’s appointments, our wellness center, and much more. After a rigorous training process, peers will be hired as drivers. Not depending on program staff fortransportation fosters independence and creates more opportunities for people to participate in enjoyable activities.
Fit Together
, our innovative wellness center open to the public, gives
special attention to meeting the needs of people with emotional and
developmental challenges. Fit Together offers cardio exercise,
strength training, exercise classes, and wellness groups in a
supportive relaxed atmosphere with a high level of personalized
attention. All members join for a low membership fee (maximum $20 per
month) or receive scholarships. Fit
Together is a response to a growing body of research which shows that
people with emotional and developmental challenges have a life span
which is 20 years shorter than that of the general public. This
shortened life span is largely due to health conditions such as
obesity, cardio-vascular disease, hypertension, and
diabetes––conditions which can be significantly improved with a
long-term commitment to regular exercise and healthy eating.
The
challenge has been to incorporate these healthy lifestyle habits into
the lives of people traditionally excluded from society's
health opportunities and wellness culture. Fit Together is addressing
this need and filling this gap. Not only have members’ physical
well-being improved, but many have also reported improvements in their
mental health as well. Click here to watch our Fit Together video.
The goal of Mental Health Recovery Services is to help people live fulfilling and meaningful lives and to engage residents as active participants in their recovery. Click here to watch our Building a Life video.
ServiceNet endorses and supports The Massachusetts Transformation Committee's (Transcom) Position Statement on Employees Self-Disclosure in Mental Health Service Workplaces. ServiceNet is committed to encouraging staff, in their own mental health recovery, to share their wisdom and experience in working with client consumers receiving services through the agency. ServiceNet is also committed to supporting and guiding staff and programs as they tackle the complicated, challenging issues that have and will arise in an open environment where diverse life experiences are shared. Recognizing the importance of employing persons in recovery, ServiceNet is dedicated to implementing best practices that incorporate peer support, education, advocacy, and training. The result is an effective workforce of non-peer staff trained clinically, working side by side with staff who have disclosed their mental health conditions, all to meet the challenge of recognizing recovery for all. Details on ServiceNet's Disclosure Guidelines can be found here.
