Who We Serve
A project of the George West Mental Health Foundation, Skyland Trail serves adults with mental illness through innovative and individualized treatment that improves mental, physical and social well being. We specialize in the following disorders:
• Bipolar
Client Demographics
Skyland Trail's 2009 client population was 54 percent male and 46 percent female. The average age for males was 31, while the average age for females was 34.
In 2009, 42 percent of our clients ranged from ages 18 to 25, and almost 30 percent ranged from ages 26 to 35. Just over 30 percent were 36 or older.
Nearly 50 percent of clients were admitted with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and 29 percent of newly admitted patients came to treatment with a diagnosis of major depression. Clients who came to our programs with an admission diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder totalled nearly 16 percent of all new admissions in 2009, and clients with other psychotic disorders, primary anxiety disorders, and undetermined diagnoses accounted for under 5 percent of new admissions in the year.
Of particular note, roughly 60 percent of all newly admitted patients in 2009 had a history of substance abuse or dependence. While patients in risk of having substance withdrawal are not able to be treated in our programs, we do have expert dual-diagnoses tracks for individuals who have both substance abuse or dependence in addition to another mental illness.
Our expert clinical staff work hard to make sure that clients' admission diagnoses are accurate and specific. All people take a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) diagnosis upon admission. Coupled with clinical staff observations, team meetings, and state-of-the-art diagnostic assessments including psychological assessments if needed, the SCID assessments help clarify and specify diagnoses and resultant interventions that maximize recovery.
On average, clients diagnosed with schizophrenia had the longest length of stay at just over five months, and clients diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder averaged just under seven months in Skyland Trail's programs. Clients diagnosed with major depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder all had an average length of stay of around four months.
Criteria for admission to Skyland Trail
Skyland Trail accepts professional and non-professional referrals. In addition to the applicant's commitment to participate positively and fully in treatment, the following eligibility criteria apply:
- Is at least 18 years of age
- Has been diagnosed with an Axis I psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar illness or major depression
- Is willing to take prescribed psychoactive medication
- Does not have a primary diagnosis of substance abuse or a primary personality disorder
- Does not have serious impulse control problems, including suicidal or homicidal impulses, or a history of severe antisocial behavior
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Does not have a diagnosed cognitive impairment
Please visit our admissions page to learn more about admitting a loved one or a patient to skyland trail.
