Scope of Services

Western State Hospital is a free standing, adult psychiatric facility that serves the community as part of a continuous, comprehensive mental health delivery system. The hospital provides inpatient psychiatric evaluation and treatment for adults from 34 counties of Western Kentucky who have severe mental illness.

Within the facility of Western State Hospital, there are five distinct treatment units. Each treatment unit provides a full array of clinical services using an interdisciplinary treatment approach. Each unit is specialized to meet the unique needs of the individuals served. Clients are assigned to the treatment unit based upon their overall functioning.

Recovery Mall Day Program

In addition to the treatment units, Western State Hospital offers its clients a Recovery Mall day program. The Recovery Mall accepts referral from all of the other hospital units. Clients who can benefit from psychoeducational group sessions attend the Recovery Mall Monday through Friday. Schedules are individualized and client-driven, with most participants attending three groups per day.

The Recovery Mall is based upon the recovery philosophy of care which recognizes client's strengths and encourages them to fully participate in their own recovery. Group education sessions use empirically validated methods to both motivate and teach practical skills in an affirming environment. Recovery Mall groups are diverse in topic, but share a common emphasis on symptom management and resuming one's productivity at home and in society. Sessions are led by multidisciplinary staff from all areas of the hospital (including psychology, therapeutic recreation, social work, occupational therapy, and nursing).

Admissions/Treatment/Screening Unit

The Admissions/Treatment/Screening Unit receives the vast majority of all admissions to Western State Hospital. The primary responsibility of the interdisciplinary treatment team on this unit is to provide a thorough and accurate assessment of each newly admitted client in a timely manner. As part of the assessment/treatment process, clients' strengths are identified and documented as part of the client's initial treatment plan. This inventory of strengths will support the clients' personal journey of recovery. It will assist them in discovering and capitalizing on their strengths and aspirations that is important in order for them to draw on both their inner and outer resources to make positive progress along the path of recovery.

Following the initial assessment process, disposition is made regarding the anticipated length of stay and the most appropriate mode of treatment. In the event that the client could be served best by a brief hospitalization, the client will stay on this unit for up to 10 days for treatment prior to being discharged.

Aftercare planning begins at the point of admission and continues throughout the entire course of hospitalization. If a more extended period of inpatient treatment is indicated, the interdisciplinary treatment team of this unit will refer the client to the appropriate area of care. Clients are primarily transferred from the Admissions/ Treatment/Screening Unit to the Intensive Unit, the Acute Unit, or the Comprehensive Support Program.

Acute Treatment Unit

The Acute Treatment Unit utilizes the Recovery Model of treatment. The primary purpose of the program is to gain Clinical Recovery ( reducing symptoms and restoring social functioning), and Personal Recovery (changing attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and roles to live a satisfying, hopeful life beyond the limitations caused by mental illness). Staff will assist clients with selecting (self-managing) a treatment approach that will contribute to retaining, recovering, developing, and performing those physical, emotional, social, and interpersonal skills necessary to live, learn, recreate, and work in the community.

The focus of treatment is upon teaching the skills needed to create, modify, or adapt behavior in a more functional manner, which may also include learning to shape their own physical or social environment to meet identified needs. The Acute Unit accepts referrals from the Admission Screening and Treatment Unit and the Intensive Unit.

Comprehensive Support Program

The Comprehensive Support Program is committed to aiding the recovery of hospitalized individuals. We have two goals in mind. The first goal is to help individuals develop their sense of empowerment and hope by providing individualized and person-centered treatment. The second goal is to help individuals prepare to live in the least restrictive community -based environment possible (e.g., Personal Care Homes, Assisted Living Communities).

To accomplish these goals, much of our work involves helping individuals develop skills. These skills include coping skills, self-control skills, social skills, medication awareness skills, recreational skills, and problem-solving skills. The Comprehensive Support Program accepts referrals from Admissions Unit, Acute Services Unit, and The Intensive Treatment Unit.

Multiple Needs Unit

The Multiple Needs Unit accepts direct admissions and other appropriate referrals. The unit works with individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and also have a wide range of physical limitations and/or cognitive impairments. The treatment philosophy is built on the premise that quality of life can be improved by promoting hope, contentment, and a renewed sense of integrity.

Every effort is made within this program to promote success in individual goal obtainment through the manipulation of the environment and other factors which may be contributing to a sense of failure. Therefore, therapeutic programming is based upon capabilities and strengths rather than liabilities and weaknesses. Individuals within this program will be assisted with the recovery of social and role functioning to the fullest extent possible through skills training and environmental support.

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