A Natural State of Mind: 30 Years of Improving Arkansas's Health

A Natural State of Mind

30 Years of Improving Ark ansas’s Health In 1983, among the hundreds of pines and oaks that adorn the mountainside area that sits between Interstates 40 and 430 near Maumelle, a commitment to the health of Arkansans was begun. On this 18-acre wooded area, The BridgeWay Hospital opened to its first patients. Through the beauty of the natural surroundings and the caring approach of its first physicians, nurses and staff, The BridgeWay began a compassionate focus to improve the mental and behavioral health of children, adolescents and adults. It has been a journey that has continued for 30 years.

T

hrough the longevity and growth

of

the

hospital’s

presence in Arkansas and

beyond, it is almost certain you, your

family or your co-workers know something about The BridgeWay. By employing or teaching thousands of Arkansans who work in fields of

behavioral

health,

psychiatry,

substance abuse and social work, it is possible someone you know has worked or served at The BridgeWay. And through the treatment of thousands of people since 1983, it is highly likely that you know someone who has a natural connection with The BridgeWay.

People

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Kristin As she caught glimpse of the sunlight filtered through the hundreds of trees that line the hills at The BridgeWay Hospital, Kristin quickly realized this place was like none she had seen before. The area’s serenity and charm left Kristin with a profound impression of hope.

“It was beautiful there,” Kristin said, now eight years after her stay. “I did not know what to expect, but being nestled in the woods gave all of us a sense of peace, even though many of us lived just a few miles away.” She is quick to tell you the comfort of the environment and the profound sense of security she felt those first

In addition to being knowledgeable and experienced, employees are both passionate and compassionate in providing care for patients.

moments after she arrived were the reasons she initially decided to stay.

Kristin, who took her first drink of alcohol at age 9, suffered with alcoholism for nearly 20 years. In high school, she had placed her faith in herself, in others, and finally, in no one. During her first year in college, Kristin drank so much that

The BridgeWay is led by the best and brightest minds in behavioral health care, including board-certified psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, mobile assessors, addiction counselors, registered Each patient receives a full medical history nurses and certified recreational therapists. and physical by some of the leading boardcertified medical internists in the state.

A Natural State of Mind - A Special Supplement to the Arkansas Times - TheBridgeWay.com

she would miss days of classes, but never a party. She was depressed, but did not know it. She was hurting, but would not admit it. And she was slowly dying from alcoholism, but she did not seem to care. Kristin, like many of those who suffer from addictions, tried to “recover” before and failed. But on this early summer morning, Kristin had made a decision to give recovery a chance once again — this time at The BridgeWay. Looking back, she is thankful that she did.

Commonness of Chemical Abuse According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, there are 1.8 million annual admissions to treatment for the abuse of alcohol and drugs in the U.S.

Before arriving at The BridgeWay, Kristin was scared she wouldn’t make it through the recovery process again. Since her last try at recovery, she had given birth to a beautiful baby girl, and she wanted to get better for her little one.

She had something to live for and so much to prove. Kristin simply needed the right place to get her on the path to recovery. After what she calls a “long night of staring at the phone,” Kristin found the strength to call The BridgeWay at 3:30 a.m.

“I thought I would leave a message, but someone was there to answer the phone to help me,” she said.

During her groups, Kristin opened up about her multiple relapses and difficult challenges with alcoholism. She admitted her self-pro-

Patients

claimed “love for the drink” damaged almost every relationship she ever had. Her friends — even those who once went drinking with her — stopped answering her calls. Her siblings scheduled holiday events around Kristin so their children wouldn’t see her drinking. And her parents, who once drove 225 miles to bail Kristin out of jail after a DUI, told her they could no longer support her.

Kristin attended groups focused on the 12 steps of recovery at The BridgeWay. She attended AA groups, both on campus and off, as part of the structured program.

With the help of The BridgeWay’s physician (a certified addictionologist), therapists and nurses, Kristin fought her addiction through a proven rehabilitation process. She met others in the program who faced similar addictions and found support through them. Although she still sometimes has the urge to drink again, she has remained sober for eight years.

The reputation of The BridgeWay as a leader in substance abuse treatment provided Kristin with the confidence that she made the right choice to remain sober for these eight years. Today, Kristin is an administrative assistant and active at her daughter’s school. She re-married three years ago and volunteers in her church and with various organizations dedicated to helping others with addictions.

When you ask Kristin about her time at The BridgeWay, you can see the emotion as her eyes well with tears. She breathed deeply to gain her composure and said, “The BridgeWay saved my life! When no one else cared, they cared enough to save me!”

Chemical Dependency Programs Inpatient Treatment for Addictive Diseases. Serving adults ages 18 and older who are struggling with emotional difficulties and substance abuse. Based upon the 12-step program, the goals of the program are to educate the patients in the disease concept of chemical dependency and develop an understanding of their decision-making skills and relapse prevention so they lead productive lives within their communities. Services of this program include medical detoxification, crisis stabilization, extended rehabilitation or treatment for dual diagnosis.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Addictive Diseases.

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for addictive diseases provides an intensive educational and therapeutic option for treating chemical dependency for adults ages 18 and older. The goal of the 12-week program is to assist people in addressing the day-to-day problems associated with substance abuse, including alcohol, prescription medication and other drugs. With day and evening options, the program is designed to minimize the disruption at work and home while supporting the person’s needs for comprehensive treatment in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Patient-centered and family- For children and adolescents, focused visitation is available an outdoor playground features several times each week. slides, monkey bars and climbing areas, a basketball court, and Patients enjoy picturesque benches and tables for leisure time. views along hiking trails as they take steps toward healthier lives.

A full-size gymnasium is located on The BridgeWay campus for patients of all ages to engage in basketball, volleyball and other activities.

A Natural State of Mind - A Special Supplement to the Arkansas Times - TheBridgeWay.com

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Navigating Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder, is characterized by dramatic shifts in mood, energy and activity levels that affect a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks, and according to NIMH, 82.9 percent of adult cases are classified as severe. ened. He was eating only every other day and would stay awake for days on end. And then one day, he simply walked away from his home without warning, without reason and without any plan at all.

his monthly disability check. But adjusting to independent living proved difficult for Robert and he began to stop taking his medications regularly.

After just a few weeks of living on his own, Robert’s manic episodes height-

Embarrassed, scared and confused, Adult Suicide Rates Robert managed to cooperate with Are Soaring the staff who helped him that afternoon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide “I didn’t always look like this, you rate among middle-aged Americans know,” he mumbled as he pulled on rose 28 percent in a decade, and the holes in his weathered jacket. these deaths are preventable through awareness and intervention.

“I didn’t always look like this either,” said the intake worker, pointing to her own graying hair. Robert paused and Robert exhibited symptoms of his let out a massive sigh. It was in that chronic condition a few years after moment that Robert and his brother his initial visit and was readmitted (as he would later confess) felt sure for a few days to stabilize his medicaThe BridgeWay would be able to help. tions again. He continues to live in the group home and visits with his family, When he arrived at The BridgeWay, who come to see him every other week.

Robert’s mood shifted from mania Robert knows that there is no cure for to depression. For the first two days his bipolar disorder. But thanks to his of his stay, Robert was unwilling to treatment at The BridgeWay, he now participate in the group activities, knows how to successfully function in but did visit with his psychiatrist and life with the diagnosis, how to monitherapist. He expressed to his thera- tor his medications before there is a pist, and then later in group, that he problem and how to speak to his famwas disappointed in himself and wor- ily when he needs them. Thanks to his ried he couldn’t tell his brother living relationship with The BridgeWay, he alone was not what he wanted to do. knows there is a special place that can help him if he ever needs to ask.

“Besides, what kind of person doesn’t want to live on their own,” he said in his group session one afternoon.

Located within CedarStone, the original building of The BridgeWay, the lobby features a breathtaking view of the Ouachita Mountains’ foothills.

In addition to a panoramic view, The BridgeWay’s café provides healthy home-style cooking prepared under the supervision of a licensed dietician.

Robert “I don’t want to live anymore” were the first words Robert uttered to intake staff upon his arrival at The BridgeWay. He was brought to The BridgeWay on a Saturday afternoon by his brother after an intense three-day search that involved dozens of family, friends and law enforcement personnel. Robert was sleeping under a bridge earlier that day and did not even know his own name when the police found him.

Robert, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his early 20s, was attempting to live on his own for the first time in nearly 10 years. His brother and sister helped him with his dayto-day living arrangements and with

Places

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Robert’s medications were restarted and he began to feel better rather quickly. He served as a leader in group sessions, and candidly expressed his fears of living alone to his brother in a family session alongside his therapist. At visitation later in the week, his brother noted that Robert smiled for the first time in months. He knew Robert’s appetite was back when he couldn’t stop talking about the fried chicken and homemade rolls he had eaten for dinner in the hospital’s café.

And he knew the group living facility The BridgeWay staff helped him find would be both structured and close to home.

A Natural State of Mind - A Special Supplement to the Arkansas Times - TheBridgeWay.com

Programs

Th fo s in

O r g c

Jack Still wearing his suit and tie from work, Jack, a 40-something father of four, arrived at The BridgeWay full of anxiety, drenched in hopelessness and carrying a handful of pain pills he had taken from his wife’s side of the medicine cabinet. Jack was clutching the pills so hard that his knuckles were turning white. He was shaking as if he was freezing, even though it was 80 degrees outside.

“Let me put those away for you, Jack,” said a polite voice sitting across the table from him. As Jack handed the pills over to the nurse, he said, “I want those back. My wife may need them.” Jack didn’t realize he had nearly committed suicide just a few hours before he arrived at The BridgeWay. But that was Jack — always worried more about everyone else in his life than his own. It was what he did best, but it had finally taken its toll on his emotional and physical health. Jack was overrun with emotional thoughts he had never experienced before. In addition to the shaking, Jack had a terrible headache and he could not remember most of the day.

“How did I get here?” he asked his psychiatrist.

It was then that Jack was told how his teenage son found him inside the garage slumped over in his car. Jack was breathing, but was almost unconscious. And he was mumbling, “I don’t want to do it anymore.”

Being the business and operations manager for a large corporation is a tough job. Jack worked hard for the past decade to finally receive that promotion. It required long hours at work, a longer commute and much more responsibility. Over time, Jack had trouble balancing home life with work.

The residential treatment center for adolescents is unique in that the setting is small to allow for greater individual attention.

For the young and young at heart, patients participate in groups focused on arts, crafts, exercises and other recreational activities.

One of Arkansas’s longestrunning Alcoholic Anonymous groups meets on The BridgeWay campus each week.

While at The BridgeWay, children and adolescents are encouraged to continue their studies though an award-winning school certified by the Arkansas Department of Education.

his long strolls during the fresh air breaks and the breakfast, lunch and Depression Difficulties dinner breaks off the unit in the café.

His therapist spoke extensively with More than being sad, major Jack’s family about ways they could depressive disorder is one of the help him cope with stress, and Jack most common mental disorders in even opened up to them about how the United States, and 30.4 percent he needed to take some time for of adult and 5 percent of children himself once in a while. To alleviate and adolescents cases are considered his worry over his career, Jack’s psysevere, according to NIMH. chiatrist wrote a profound letter to his boss explaining how Jack could “Just choosing the tie I wanted to continue to be a great employee. wear every day was stressful to me,” Jack said. “Everything I did at home Jack’s life was still busy when he was and at work was scrutinized. ‘Go discharged from The BridgeWay. His here,’ ‘do this,’ ‘finish that,’ was all job was still stressful and he still I ever remember hearing. And then worried about his wife and children.

I just didn’t want to hear anything!” But Jack had learned something new.

He learned it was all right to be vulWhen Jack was admitted to The nerable, because all of us have vulBridgeWay, he recalled how the emo- nerabilities. Many of the people he tional roller coaster escalated. He met while a patient at The Bridgementioned on more than one occa- Way — some of whom he still speaks sion how he felt embarrassed about to — carried many of the same burhaving to stay in the hospital. He dens he carried. He learned that inwent through bouts of anger, express- stead of piling on the stressors, it ing how he thought it was “unfair” to was acceptable — and healthy — to leave his family who needed him. He ask for help. experienced worry over losing his job and his family because of the stigma “The BridgeWay knows how to do it this might leave behind. Most of all, right,” Jack said. “They take you in, he was saddened that his young son no matter what you did or where you found him in such a bad place. came from, and allow you to make the experience your very own. When After a few days in the program at I look at my family, I know that life The BridgeWay, Jack learned how is worth living because my doctors, to relax and cope better with stress. nurses and therapists at The BridgeHe learned, through group therapy Way helped me to understand that.” sessions, how to better express himself and ask for help. Jack enjoyed

Adult Inpatient/Outpatient Programs Inpatient Services for Adults. The BridgeWay offers two inpatient programs that serve adults ages 18 and older. While one program treats chronic mental health issues, the other treats acute mental health issues.

Although each program is highly specialized and short-term, the goals are to stabilize the adult’s behavior so they may return home and lead fruitful lives.

ECT Services for Adults. While 60 percent of those who are severely depressed improve with medication and therapy, 90 percent improve with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Available to adults age 18 and older, The BridgeWay offers ECT as a form of treatment for major depression as well as other issues. ECT has been found to decrease and relieve depression among adults. ECT is available on an inpatient or outpatient basis under the close supervision of an experienced psychiatrist.

A Natural State of Mind - A Special Supplement to the Arkansas Times - TheBridgeWay.com

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When Davis’ hometown therapist called The BridgeWay during her session with him, she was concerned for his well-being and safety.

Earlier that day, Davis told his best friend he should find some other people to “hang out with” in case he was no longer around. He was depressed to the point of hopelessness, but no one — including Davis — really noticed. Davis recently stopped attending baseball practices and gave up on his grades by ignoring homework assignments and staying home on test days. When Davis decided to skip class one afternoon, he was found at a local pool hall smoking cigarettes and trying to buy alcohol.

Davis Davis was like many other adolescents his age. He enjoyed sports, liked video games and loved junk food. He was a slender 14-year-old who wanted to be what every other youngster that age wants to be: grown up! Davis had always been “high-strung” according to his mother — a young single mom with three other children to care for. But Davis was behaving much differently than he had in the past and it was clear he needed help.

Professional Development

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Many of Arkansas’s best psychiatrists, nurses and therapists began their careers at The BridgeWay and continue to support the education of students and interns who are entering the health care field.

When Davis arrived at The BridgeWay for an assessment, he became extremely agitated with his mother, whom he felt had betrayed him.

As a result, he smashed his fist through his mother’s car window and yelled obscenities at everyone within yards of him. His aggressiveness continued even when he saw his baby sister, whom he adored.

Early Intervention is Essential Research from the National Institute of Mental Health (MINH) shows that half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14.

“Stop crying! Stop crying, you big baby,” he said to her over and over.

Davis’ depression was masked by aggression, which is common in many adolescents struggling with the burdens of being a teenager.

Consistently reinvesting in the community, The BridgeWay provides training to the MidSouth School, associated with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; the Behavioral Health Institute and Arkansas Department of Health and Human For health care professionals, The Services, as well as other entities.

BridgeWay offers a quarterly Lunch and Learn series.

A Natural State of Mind - A Special Supplement to the Arkansas Times - TheBridgeWay.com

Anxiety Awareness Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations, yet according to the NIMH, 28 percent of adult and 5.9 percent of adolescent cases reflect severe anxiety.

Within minutes of his outburst, a team of BridgeWay staff members arrived from all over the hospital to aid in Davis’ care.

“They came from everywhere,” Davis recalled. “But it was clear they came to help me.”

Davis calmed down while visiting with the admissions staff, and began to discuss how he felt. “I’m so scared,” Davis told them. The admissions staff walked with Davis and his mother to the unit and allowed him some time to visit with his family before finding his room.

Upon entering the unit, Davis quickly noticed the space’s bright colors and openness. His room was painted with a purple accent wall, which he would later tell his nurse was his favorite color. The window to his room allowed plenty of light in and the group room had a large television and DVDs. Davis was able to stay on top of his coursework through the school located on The BridgeWay campus, and told his BridgeWay teachers he really wanted to get back to making good grades. He loved the recreational therapy groups offered in the afternoon and even participated in art classes offered as part of the education program. In a short time, Davis began to feel more “at

Partners

home,” and his mood and appearance stabilized.

A few days after Davis’ discharge, his mother called to thank the staff for their work with Davis.

“I just didn’t see he was struggling so much. That was not the Davis I knew,” his mother said through her tears. “But I just kept hearing from the staff at The BridgeWay that we would all help Davis together. And you did that very well.”

Davis completed school that year on the honor roll and played second base for his baseball team.

Through the support of his family, he remained on the medications he started while at The BridgeWay and continued therapy once a week. Davis went on to graduate from high school in 2009 and is currently in college working on his degree in psychology.

“I want to help others who have some of the same struggles I faced a few years ago,” Davis said. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll come work for The BridgeWay one day.”

Children & Adolescent Programs Teen Suicide Ranked as the third leading cause of death among teens, suicide claims the lives of about 1,800 young people under the age of 20 annually, and these deaths are preventable through awareness and intervention, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Bridges. An outpatient program serving children and adolescents, ages 4- 21, and their families who are experiencing an acute crisis. The goal of this program is to assist in stabilizing the child’s or adolescent’s behavior so they may transition to more traditional outpatient services and, whenever possible, keep the family intact.

Inpatient Treatment for Children. For children ages 4-12 struggling with behavioral issues, The BridgeWay offers acute inpatient services set within a safe and structured environment. The goal of the program is to stabilize the child’s behavior while involving the family so they may grow and rejoin their family or caregivers.

In order to develop a patient-centered treatment plan and assist with discharge planning, The BridgeWay partners with Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, hospitals, mental health centers and The Wolfe Street Foundation, among others.

So that employees are equipped with the latest trends in health care, The BridgeWay works closely with the Arkansas Hospital Association, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Preparations

Inpatient Treatment for Adolescents. Adolescents, ages 13-17, experiencing emotional difficulties may benefit from round-the-clock inpatient care. Program goals include working with the family in order to stabilize the adolescent’s behavior so they may return to home and school.

Transitional Treatment for Adolescents.

For adolescents ages 12-17 who are struggling with chronic issues, The BridgeWay offers the Transitional Program designed to explore and process underlying issues so they may return to their family or caregivers within a period of three to six months. The program is based upon developing, nurturing and sustaining four core traits among residents: introspection, making gains, goal-oriented and success-driven.

Whether it’s the iconic cedar and rock building affectionately referred to as CedarStone or the 540-foot outdoor breezeway that connects the hospital, The BridgeWay is as naturally beautiful today as it was 30 years ago. Three years of renovations have further enhanced the natural beauty of the surroundings. From the new windows and bathrooms in every patient room to the newly designed and welcoming lobby to the new furniture, there is sense of connection to help get patients on the path to recovery. But amidst all the renovations, two things remain the same: the serenity and charm of the landscape and the quality treatment provided to patients from all walks of life.

A Natural State of Mind - A Special Supplement to the Arkansas Times - TheBridgeWay.com

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As we acknowledge our 30th year of service to Arkansans, we look forward to continuing to provide quality care to the families of our state.‌it is a natural state of mind.

Jason Miller, Chief Operating Officer

As a society we know more about our mental health than we have at any other time in our lives. As informed citizens we better understand addictions, depression and behavioral disorders. In the health care community, we now know treatments that work and behavioral health programs that make a major impact on the well-being of a person. We are better at being patients and thus no longer settle for mediocrity. And, as active participants in our health, we easily recognize The BridgeWay Hosptial as a place that stands alone as a behavioral health care pioneer in the state of Arkansas.

For 30 years, The BridgeWay has touched the lives of many. For patients like Kristin, Robert, Davis and Jack, The BridgeWay provided professional treatment for addiction, depression, aggression, anxiety and serious mental illness. For countless families, The BridgeWay has connected them with services to help their loved ones reconnect with their lives. For the hundreds of professionals who have referred a patient, The BridgeWay

continues to provide them with a helping hand 24 hours a day. For the thousands of people who will need quality behavorial health care in the future, The BridgeWay serves as a natural choice for a compreshensive approach nestled just inside the wooded hills of Central Arkansas. The BridgeWay will find a way to connect with you and get you on the path to recovery. For Arkansans, it has been a natural state of mind for 30 years.

To learn more about the programs and services provided by The BridgeWay, call 1-800-245-0011 or visit TheBridgeWay.com