Social distancing is vital to curb the spread of COVID-19, but Philadelphians struggling with behavioral health issues still need access to services provided by Pennsylvania Hospital’s Hall-Mercer Community Mental Health Center. With a bit of flexibility, Hall-Mercer’s resourceful teams have continued providing compassionate care for these high-risk populations.
Individuals who receive mental health treatment at Hall-Mercer are still able to, thanks to nurses Jeneane Johnson, MSN, and Donna Cartwright, BSN. Johnson manages the injection clinic and distributes antipsychotic medications, and while COVID-19 has “dramatically changed” operations, she remains on the front lines administering more than 100 injections every month.
As part of the Targeted Case Management team, Cartwright helps community members manage their medical needs and live independently in order to remain out of the hospital. Now, as Johnson’s “right-hand woman,” she oversees the injection clinic once a week, freeing up Johnson to work with case managers and pharmacies to reroute prescriptions via mail and check in with patients virtually.
“Our population requires a lot of support,” Cartwright explained. Some clients already live in isolation and don’t understand the new precautions, while others are distressed that they can’t roam the city anymore. “In addition to educating them, we’re offering reassurance that we’re still here,” Johnson added. “We’re friendly faces they can rely on — even if they can’t see our smiles under our masks!”
For the preschoolers with autism or developmental delays who attend the Early Childhood Program (ECP), Hall-Mercer’s services have become entirely virtual. Kids thrive on structure, but COVID-19 has changed their routines. For the children who are nonverbal or struggle to express their emotions, these disruptions are especially challenging.
To ensure continuity of care in this unpredictable time, the ECP offers weekly family therapy. During one-hour telemedicine sessions, clinicians coach parents through routines their children struggle with, such as getting ready or eating lunch. The ECP team also checks in with parents weekly, shares resources daily, and has developed parent support groups. Virtual play dates also allow the children to practice socializing with their classmates.
“We needed to figure out how telemedicine could work for us,” said ECP coordinator Diondra Brown, MSW, LSW. “We’re doing our best to meet each child’s needs. Maintaining that connection will make for a better transition back.” Judging by the grateful feedback they’ve received from parents and the giggles and smiles the children share virtually, the team’s creative problem-solving is working.