Providing a range of responsive programs, COMHAR's behavioral health services treat adults who need help coping with life stresses and those who live with chronic mental illness. The Behavioral Health Division's broad array of specialized programs addresses the needs of diverse populations, including the elderly, the Latino community, individuals also diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and those who struggle with co-occuring substance addiction.

Intake and Outpatient Services
Provides outpatient counseling for individuals who are experiencing difficulty coping with the stress of daily life and facilitates their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, educational setting and workplace. Services include psychiatric evaluation; social history and assessment; individual, group, couples and family psychotherapy; medication assessment and monitoring; and evaluation of the need for other services and referrals.

COMHAR delivers care in a variety of comfortable and convenient settings that include agency facilities as well as public health centers and senior centers. Bilingual/bicultural staff serve the Latino community, while other specially trained staff serve the needs of elderly consumers, individuals who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, or those who have co-occuring drug and alcohol addictions.

For general intake, call Outpatient Services
215-427-5800
For intake to Latino Services, call
215-739-2669

Outreach and Assessment Treatment Services (OATS)
This program is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts to provide outreach assessment and treatment services to individuals age 60 and above. The service is intended for elderly individuals who are diagnosed with a primary mental health disorder and have become isolated, withdrawn and will not attend more traditional treatment settings due to the stigma associated with care. The program also provides education and training to the elderly, their caregivers (such as family members) and physicians regarding the signs and symptoms of mental illness. The goal of this program is to provide services to the elderly in more natural environments (home, senior center, physician's office) in the community and avoid costly hospitalizations or institutional placements which are disruptive to consumers and their families. Services are available in English and Spanish. For information call 215-203-3027.

Open Door Clubhouse
A psychosocial rehabilitation day program based on the acclaimed Fountain House in New York City and the first program of its kind in Philadelphia, the Clubhouse empowers its members through daily participation in one of several work units. By taking responsibility for all tasks needed for the Clubhouse to function successfully, members learn valuable work skills; discover and develop their individual strengths, abilities and interests and build confidence enhancing both their work and personal lives. Members choose among clerical, kitchen, horticultural, art, education, transitional employment and independent employment work units. The goal of this program is for members to move from onsite work units to transitional and eventually to getting their own job.
To visit the Open Door Clubhouse, call 215-427-5763.

HOPE Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program
HOPE is a hybrid of site and community based psychiatric rehabilitation programs. Its purpose is to assist individuals who are recovering from mental illness to develop the knowledge, skills, and social networks necessary to manage their illness, improve relationships, and become more independent and better integrated into their community. This recovery oriented program emphasizes individuals' strengths and choices and includes educational and therapy groups, individual therapy, peer support and community activities. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM with evening and Saturday activities and support. Specialized components target older adults, Latinos, and individuals with co-occurring substance addictions. Services are available in both English and Spanish.
For more information about this program, call 215-427-5800.

Residential Services
Residential Services Provides a continuum of residential programs in the community for adult consumers recovering from mental illness and supports movement toward the least restrictive living environment. Two LTSRs (Long Tern Structured Residences) provide the most intensive treatment, a high ratio of staff to residents, and close monitoring of individual progress. One of these LTSRs was specifically developed to serve seniors who also have complex medical conditions. With somewhat fewer restrictions, ICRRs provide 24 hour a day supervision and a therapeutic environment. One of these homes serves individuals with co-occurring substance addiction. Residents receive additional support by attending a recovery day program or participating in other structured activities. Less intensive residences include Maximum Care CRRs with 24 hour reduced staffing and the Supported Independent Living Program with more limited supports for individuals in their own apartments. Only individuals referred by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health's Access to Alternative Services Unit are eligible for these services.
For information call 215-203-3000.

Targeted Case Management
Helps clients achieve a stable, healthy and safe life in the community of their choice, reducing the need for psychiatric hospitalization and promoting more effective use of community supports. Resource Coordination supports clients' psychiatric stability through help in obtaining housing, medical treatment, rehabilitation services, social and recreational programs or financial and medical benefits. Intensive Case Management works with the adults more resistant to traditional treatment approaches who experience frequent use of psychiatric emergency services, multiple psychiatric hospitalization, periods of homelessness and/or inability to sustain prolonged stabilization of their psychiatric symptoms. Services are available in English and Spanish. The goal of the program is to keep individuals out of the hospital by providing support services and connecting to community supports. To receive Targeted Case Management, consumers must be referred by Office of Behavioral Health. For information call 215-427-6616.

Emergency Psychiatric Services
Provides emergency services for urgent crises through Temple Episcopal Hospital Crisis Response Center, where psychiatrists are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Temple provides crisis intervention, involuntary commitment petition examinations, psychiatric evaluations and examinations and arrangements for psychiatric hospitalization when necessary.

Choosing COMHAR's Services
Individuals can access most behavioral health services at COMHAR by referring themselves or by referral from family members or from hospitals, doctors, case managers, or other professional providers. Targeted Case Management and Residential services require referral from Phila. Dept of Behavioral Health. To learn more about other COMHAR services, call 215-203-3000 or contact us at info@comhar.org.