Intensive Outpatient Program 

Harford Memorial Hospital
501 South Union Avenue
Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078
443-843-8066
Fax: 443-843-8090

About the Program
The mental health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Harford Memorial Hospital is a structured, group therapy program for adults who are experiencing mental health issues that interfere with social, occupational or interpersonal functioning. The program is short term and individuals usually attend 3 days per week for 3 hours  (9:00 am-12 noon). The length of stay in the program will vary for each person.
 
Group therapy provides an opportunity to explore how you understand yourself and others. You will learn that you are not alone in your life experiences.
 
Our goal is to offer you the treatment you need and to have you actively participate in your treatment outcomes. You will receive personalized care from a highly qualified Behavioral Health team and receive treatment and medication management by a psychiatrist.
 
How to Refer
Referrals can come from hospitals, community providers or the individual. To make a referral,
please call 443-843-8066.
 
Admission Process
Intensive Outpatient Programs have regulated admission criteria. We will evaluate if IOP is the best fit for you. An individual who meets admission criteria, is motivated to change, and can interact well in a group setting will benefit the most from IOP. If you do not meet admission criteria, our IOP staff will work to provide you with referrals/resources.
 
Thank you for considering the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Harford Memorial Hospital. We look forward to hearing from you and hope you can join us on the journey of growth and healing.

Upper Chesapeake Behavioral Health Services

Harford Memorial Hospital
501 South Union Avenue
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
443-843-8054

Psychiatric disorders are treatable illnesses. If left untreated, however, they can have a devastating impact on personal and family life. At Upper Chesapeake Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to helping our patients live their lives to the fullest...again

Visiting Policies and Hours
Please remember we can only accommodate two visitors at a time. The safety of our patients and visitors is very important to us. Visitation takes place in the day room, not the patient's room.

• No children under the age of 16 are permitted to visit unless so ordered by the physician.
• There is no smoking on the unit. No matches, cigarettes or lighters are allowed.
• Clothes brought from home should have no strings on the clothing and no hoodies or hats.
• Staff members will check any packages brought from home.
• No food items from outside the unit are allowed in.
• The patient you are visiting or the social worker will provide an access code to you. You will be asked for the code before entering the unit.

Visiting Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday — 7 pm - 8 pm
Tuesday and Thursday — 2 pm - 3 pm
Sundays and Holidays — 2 pm - 3 pm and 7 pm - 8 pm

Thank you for your cooperation.

Our Goals
We provide a safe environment for those in need of acute psychiatric care. Patients receive a comprehensive evaluation and intensive multidisciplinary treatment to facilitate their reentry into the community.

Our Program
Upper Chesapeake Behavioral Health Services is dedicated to providing acute, intensive, short-term inpatient psychiatric treatment for individuals 18 years of age or older. Our facility accommodates medically compromised and physically disabled patients. We care for patients experiencing serious emotional difficulties, including:

• Affective Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Behavioral complications of dementing illnesses and strokes

Understanding Depression
People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. Symptoms may include:

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
  
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
  
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
  
• Irritability, restlessness
  
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
  
• Fatigue and decreased energy
  
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
  
• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
  
• Overeating, or appetite loss
  
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
  
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

Women and Depression
Biological, life cycle, hormonal and psychosocial factors unique to women may be linked to women's higher depression rate. Researchers have shown that hormones directly affect brain chemistry that controls emotions and mood. For example, women are particularly vulnerable to depression after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes, along with the new responsibility of caring for a newborn, can be overwhelming. Many new mothers experience a brief episode of the "baby blues," but some will develop postpartum depression, a much more serious condition that requires active treatment and emotional support for the new mother. Some studies suggest that women who experience postpartum depression often have had prior depressive episodes. Some women may also be susceptible to a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), sometimes called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition resulting from the hormonal changes that typically occur around ovulation and before menstruation begins. During the transition into menopause, some women experience an increased risk for depression.

Men and Depression
Men often experience depression differently than women and may have different ways of coping with the symptoms. Men are more likely to acknowledge having fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in once–pleasurable activities, and sleep disturbances. Men are more likely than women to turn to alcohol or drugs when they are depressed, or become frustrated, discouraged, irritable, angry and sometimes abusive. Some men throw themselves into their work to avoid talking about their depression with family or friends, or engage in reckless, risky behavior.

Detection and Treatment
Depression, even the most severe cases, is a highly treatable disorder. As with many illnesses, the earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is and the greater the likelihood that recurrence can be prevented. The first step to getting appropriate treatment is to visit a doctor. Certain medications, and some medical conditions such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression. A doctor can rule out these possibilities by conducting a physical examination, interview and lab tests. If the doctor can eliminate a medical condition as a cause, he or she should conduct a psychological evaluation or refer the patient to a mental health professional.

The doctor or mental health professional will conduct a complete diagnostic evaluation. He or she should discuss any family history of depression, and get a complete history of symptoms, e.g., when they started, how long they have lasted, their severity, and whether they have occurred before and if so, how they were treated. He or she should also ask if the patient is using alcohol or drugs, and whether the patient is thinking about death or suicide.

Once diagnosed, a person with depression can be treated with a number of methods. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.

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