WNJ Inpatient Behavioral
Health Unit:

Our inpatient behavioral health facility with 12 private beds features a variety of clinical and therapeutic approaches to help those in crisis. Our goal is to be the premiere psychiatric facility in North Texas, and Southern Oklahoma.

The adult program provides patients with ways to successfully cope with life’s challenges and facilitate recovery. The program is designed to provide treatment for individuals with anxiety, depression, mood or behavioral disorders, thought disturbances, suicidal thoughts or self-harm, substance abuse disorders, and more.

Our Philosophy:

WNJ – Behavioral Health Unit provides psychiatric care and treatment to those in a mental health crisis. We attempt to bring about positive changes in each patient’s life by addressing the following areas: physical, emotional, cognitive, functional, psychological, social, and spiritual. Each team discipline will engage a patient in an assessment process designed to evaluate all factors contributing to a person’s illness.

Our approach involves a multidisciplinary team of trained professionals consisting of the psychiatrist (physician), nursing staff, social work staff, and recreational therapist. After the assessment process, the team comes together to formulate a specific treatment plan with patient input being essential in the development of the plan and goals.

The program follows a group focus that is very effective in bringing about change by sharing common experiences with others who have experienced similar life difficulties. In addition to the group therapy process, a variety of other therapeutic activities help bring about change. These activities include, but they are not limited to the following: case management, recreational activities, family therapy and a variety of educational opportunities.

The key ingredient to the success of the program relies on participation in the team concept. This means that each individual entering treatment must be responsible for his or her own recovery by actively engaging in this treatment process. Attendance and participation in all offered activities, and being an active member of the therapeutic community, is an essential part of mental health healing.

Our Program:

Entering a treatment program is the hardest step in overcoming mental illness. We are committed to removing fears and eliminating any confusion associated with admission. We hope to make patient stays as comfortable and productive as possible. Our nursing and program staff are always available to assist with recovery and answer questions or concerns as they arise. Patients are very important to us, and we take our responsibility seriously.

• We are accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC). TJC is a health care regulatory agency, which surveys and monitors hospitals and other health care organizations nation-wide to assure that quality standards of care are provided.

• As a hospital-based program, we accept commercial insurance (PPO, HMO) private pay, TX Medicare and Medicaid, as well as Managed Medicare and Medicaid. We also accept sooner care on a case by case basis.

Confidentiality

To protect every patient’s right to privacy, the staff will not discuss a patient’s treatment or progress without having prior written authorization from the patient. Each patient should feel confident that whatever he or she says while in treatment remains confidential. By respecting this right to privacy, everyone aids in the treatment process and enhances the atmosphere of caring and trust in the program.

The BHU Treatment Team:

Psychiatrist

The psychiatrist is a fully licensed physician in charge of patient wellbeing in the program. They are responsible for admitting, following patient progress throughout treatment, and determining readiness for discharge. Every patient is seen by the psychiatrist on a daily basis.

Nursing Staff

Nursing Staff is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the patient care, and communicating patient needs and changes to the physician in a timely manner. Nurses are responsible for admitting and orienting new patients to the unit, as well as daily assessments and education on medications.

Social Worker

The Social Worker is responsible for completing the psychosocial assessment upon admission, and assisting the team in the development of treatment plans. The social worker is responsible for case management and discharge planning for each individual. They will also conduct groups for all patients on a daily basis.

Activity Therapist

The Activity Therapist is responsible for evaluating a patient’s activity level in terms of daily life skills and appropriate leisure outlets. The Activity Therapist uses games, puzzles and creative activities to engage patients on a daily basis. Activities are designed to help each patient learn new ways of using their leisure time, or reintroduce old interests. The Activity Therapist works closely with the multidisciplinary team to design a specific, and individualized program for the patients.

Program Components:

Group Therapy

Group therapy is the backbone of the inpatient treatment program. It affords each patient an
opportunity to develop a support base by sharing common experiences with other patients who
have had similar difficulties in their lives. The simple knowledge that we are not
alone in our difficulties frequently can provide a healing experience.

Milieu Therapy

In Milieu Therapy efforts are made to teach ways of modifying behavior through specific techniques such as relaxation and cognitive restructuring or changing the way we think. Learning to view things in new ways can often bring about significant improvement in a person’s life.

Nursing Education

Our nursing staff provides many educational opportunities designed to help each patient gain a better view of those conditions that led to hospitalization and help to combat those conditions. Medication teaching is an example of how nurses can assist a patient by teaching them about both the benefits of medication and the possible side effects that might occur.

Family Therapy

Issues that result in hospitalization often affect the entire family. During a patient’s hospitalization, the social worker will facilitate family therapy, if appropriate, to help the family understand the course of the patient’s illness.

Program

Our program provides a structured environment to help stabilize a person in crisis. It includes the use of medication management, process groups, activities and daily visits with the psychiatrist. Due to the therapeutic nature of Milieu Therapy, visitation hours are limited to Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:30pm and Saturday from 3:00-4:00pm.

How can we help?

1. If you or someone you know is in a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
2. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the suicide hotline at 988 to talk to someone.
3. If you would like more information, or need psychiatric help, please call 903-870-7322 opt. 6, and our highly trained intake coordinators can help you take the first step to getting the help that you need. We are available 24 hours a day.

Wilson N. Jones Regional Medical Center
Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit
500 N. Highland Ave
Sherman, TX 75092