- Location250906175 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401The J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center is a stand-alone mental health facility that provides both inpatient and outpatient mental health services. Opened in 2020, the 56,000 square-foot center includes: A 16-bed inpatient mental health unit, featuring all private rooms. A psychiatric day hospital (also known as a partial hospitalization program). An intensive outpatient treatment program. Referral and care coordination services for community-based treatment. The McNew Family Medical Center includes a courtyard, patient and family lounge space, a meditation room, and a community conference room. It also has a secure ambulance bay to safely transfer new patients into the building. The center shares a campus with Pathways, which provides detox, residential, and outpatient substance use services. Having all mental health services together allows us to serve more people, in one place, for a variety of overlapping issues., We offer both inpatient and outpatient care at this facility. You can use our Find Care Find Care tool to schedule mental health care within Luminis Health. Or, choose below from the most frequently searched services at this medical center., The McNew Family Medical Center is an all-inclusive mental health facility, offering inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient care. It also shares a campus with Pathways, a facility that provides inpatient and outpatient therapy for substance abuse. Parking Information The parking lot is in front of McNew Family Medical Center and Pathways, on the other side of Harry S. Truman Parkway., We offer various levels of care, and admission to each program works differently. Note that if you are having a mental health crisis and need emergency care, the Emergency Departments at both LHAAMC Emergency Room LHAAMC and LHDCMC Emergency Room LHDCMC provide emergency psychiatric services. Inpatient mental health unit The inpatient mental health unit is an acute hospital. It provides a short-term psychiatric treatment program for people 18 and older who meet admission criteria. Patients are admitted both voluntarily and involuntarily based on psychiatric assessment and referral from a hospital's emergency department. We do not accept walk-ins. Psychiatric day hospital This intensive daytime treatment program offers mental health services for adults age 18 and older. The program is halfway between inpatient and outpatient care. Adults attend daily sessions from 9 am until 3:30 pm and return home at night. It's designed to help those moving from 24/7 inpatient care and those who need to stabilize a condition to prevent a lengthy hospital stay. Your doctor must refer you before you can enroll, Referral form for the Psychiatric Day Hospital using this referral form . If you need a doctor who specializes in mental health, call Luminis Health Mental Health Specialists Luminis Health Mental Health Specialists at Call 410-573-9000 410-573-9000 . Outpatient mental health treatment Through Luminis Health Mental Health Specialists, we offer outpatient therapy for people who are transitioning from the inpatient program or day program. We also offer traditional, office-based therapy services for adults and children 6 years and older. Beginning in June 2022, all of these services will be consolidated at McNew Medical Center. To connect with counseling and therapy services, call Call 410-573-9000 410-573-9000. Substance abuse treatment All of our substance abuse treatment programs are housed at Pathways. We have inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. They each have different admission processes. Learn about Pathways treatment at Pathways . , What to Expect When Attending the Day Program The Psychiatric Day Hospital features many of the same types of therapy as the inpatient program, but patients go home at night. If you've been released from the inpatient unit, it's a good step-down program. Adults attend daily sessions from 9 am until 3:30 pm. We use many of the same therapies as in-hospital patients, and patients who have been with us can continue with their work. We create a tailored treatment plan for each person. How long they stay depends on their unique needs. Whenever possible, we invite family members and support systems to take part in the treatment and healing process. What to Expect During Outpatient Therapy For those who are ready to step down again, we offer intensive outpatient therapy. Adults and adolescents come three days a week, 4 hours a day. We also offer more traditional outpatient therapy and medication management. This involves regular appointments with a therapist or psychiatrist, but not daily or multiple times a week. What to Expect During Your Inpatient Stay The average length of stay in the inpatient unit is 5 to 7 days. However, all stays are individualized and based on clinical criteria for admission and continuing stay. Our team uses a variety of therapies, depending on what you need. The focus is on stabilizing people and helping them start—or restart—their journey toward healing. After being assessed by a psychiatrist and other care team members, inpatients may do a variety of therapies, such as: One-on-one and group therapy Activity and occupational therapy Art therapy Family therapy Pet therapy Treatment with medication Goal setting and practice developing social skills Assessments for mental and physical health Psychological testing, As soon as an individual is admitted to the inpatient program, in partnership with the patient and their support system, we begin planning for discharge. We want to make sure that you are set up to continue down the path of healing and recovery when you leave here. As appropriate, we invite your therapist or any other mental health providers you see to be part of discharge planning. That way, you'll have continuity of care available to you upon discharge. Our social worker can work with you and your support systems to help connect you with the resources you will need, whether it be housing, job training/employment, or financial assistance. Your discharge occurs when you no longer need an acute hospital level of care. Part of the discharge planning process is to help determine what next level of service you will most benefit from. That may include group therapy, individual therapy, or other services., A Space of Light, Healing, and Hope We designed the McNew Family Medical Center with both safety and aesthetics in mind. We created a secure environment where patients feel safe and family members know their loved one is receiving top-notch care, 24/7. But just as important, it's a beautiful, light-filled space that buzzes with positivity. Mental health issues can feel dark and chaotic. The building attempts to counter that with an abundance of natural light and rooms that radiate peace. Your Room All rooms are private rooms. Each is equipped with a private bathroom and shower. The rooms are safe and secure but are designed to feel comfortable. There are home-like touches throughout, including wood cabinetry, built-in desks, and artwork. Windows provide natural light, but are outfitted with safe internal blinds to control the light., We keep both your body and brain nourished while you're here. We try to take care of as many details as possible so that you can focus on healing. Meals for inpatients and day program We provide three meals a day, plus snacks, for inpatients. We also provide lunch and snacks for those who come to the day program. Spiritual care Inpatients are able to have visits from a spiritual leader associated with their faith., We welcome visitors to the building who have a reason to be there. These visitors include family members and significant others who are involved with treatment, assuming the patient's agreement. These visits are usually in the evenings and on weekends, but we can make accommodations as needed.Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse, Inpatient Psychiatric Care, Inpatient Therapy for Substance Abuse, Outpatient Therapy for Mental Health, Outpatient Therapy for Substance Abuse, Depression and Anxiety, Adventure Therapy0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany of us have visited an urgent care clinic for a cut finger or flu-like symptoms. Urgent care centers are convenient because you typically don’t need an appointment. What may be new to you is the idea of walk-in behavioral health urgent care. To help address the mental health crisis in this country, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center now offers behavioral health urgent care in its new Behavioral Health Pavilion (8200 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD 20706). The Behavioral Health Urgent Care is a walk-in clinic for the treatment of non-life-threatening behavioral health (mental health and substance use) needs. The clinic focuses on the treatment of behavioral health symptoms in patients ages four and older—this may include assessment for behavioral health treatment or safety, initiation of medication for mild to moderate mental health symptoms or referral to behavioral health services and resources. When Is It Appropriate to Visit the ER vs. Behavioral Health Urgent Care? The Behavioral Health Urgent Care provides the community with an additional layer of behavioral health support and—when appropriate—serves as an alternative to the emergency room (ER) for mental health evaluation and treatment. An ER should still be utilized in cases of: A suicide attempt or suicidal thoughts with the intention of hurting oneself. Self-harm that requires medical treatment. Active psychosis or behaviors that are causing aggression, agitation, or paranoia. Side effects from medication. Any unsafe behaviors. Active overdose. Uncontrolled mania. What to Expect as a Behavioral Health Urgent Care Patient After registering and completing intake forms upon arrival at the Behavioral Health Urgent Care, patients are escorted to a secure area to safely store any personal effects or valuables. They are then greeted by a registered nurse who will take the patient’s vital signs and obtain a brief history of symptoms, medications and any other pertinent information. Patients then speak with a licensed mental health clinician or psychiatric nurse practitioner for clinical evaluation. The team of providers answers any patient questions and makes recommendations for follow-up care. Treatment depends on the determined need after the initial assessment is made. Patients may be provided a prescription for medication, a follow-up appointment for therapy, medication management for on-going support or other clinically appropriate referrals. Behavioral Health Urgent Care patients may be referred to community providers or they may also continue to receive services at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Pavilion, where ongoing support services are provided including: Individual and intensive group therapy. Medication management. Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization (coming soon!). Residential treatment of substance use disorders (coming soon!). The Luminis Health DCMC Behavioral Health Urgent Care is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Future plans include expanding clinic services to seven days a week. Author Aliya Jones, MD, serves as the Executive Medical Director of Behavioral Health for Luminis Health0
- Behavioral Health, Digestive CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anxiety may not seem like they’d have anything to do with each other. After all, one affects the gut while the other influences the mind. But new research has found that not only is there a connection, it’s written in our genes. What is the relationship between IBS and anxiety? Researchers have long known that the brain sends signals to the gut. Until recently, though, most scientists flat-out rejected the possibility that it could be a two-way street. Studies in the past decade, however, have shed new light on evidence that the communication does go both ways. And interest in the brain-gut connection is now gaining ground. A study published in late 2021 by the journal Nature Genetics sought to identify genetic risk factors for IBS. What researchers found was proof that IBS and anxiety share certain genetic pathways. That means that the genetic changes that put someone at an increased risk for IBS also put them at an increased risk for certain mental health conditions, like depression, insomnia and anxiety. The findings don’t just highlight the close ties between IBS and anxiety. They also set the stage for the development of new treatments. Taking a closer look at IBS and anxiety IBS is a common condition that affects one in 10 people worldwide. It causes symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating and bowel issues. Factors like diet, stress and behavior can increase a person’s risk. So can difficult early-life events, like physical or sexual abuse and certain mental health disorders. Anxiety may be a normal reaction to stress. It can also develop into a disorder when feelings of dread and unease don’t go away and worsen over time. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, anxiety affects more than 40 million adults in the United States. Symptoms can include a pounding heartbeat, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms can interfere with a person’s daily life. What this news means for you The newfound genetic link between IBS and anxiety shows that anxiety aggravates IBS symptoms. And IBS, in turn, aggravates anxiety symptoms. But one disorder doesn’t cause the other. They simply share a common origin: the same mutated genes that lead to brain or nerve cell changes and symptoms in both the brain and gut. It’s already common practice for doctors to treat a person’s anxiety when working to manage their IBS symptoms. They’ve found success through treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medical hypnotherapy and progressive muscle relaxation, as well as antidepressants. CBT, for example, helps raise awareness of negative thinking so people can respond to challenging situations in a more effective way. In the future, scientists may be able to tailor treatments for IBS and anxiety based on these shared genetic differences. As with everything, though, therapies should be personalized to the individual. If you have IBS, talk to your doctor to see if mental health therapies might help you better manage your symptoms. Authors Showkat Bashir, MD, specializes in gastroenterology at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor a lot of us, the pandemic has taken its toll on our mental health and wellbeing. That’s especially true for teenagers. At Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, we have seen an increase in mental health visits to the pediatric emergency room. That’s why we have created a new space for young patients to relax and chill out. Over the past few months, a planning team has transformed the hospital’s old playroom into a Zen Den, an area specifically designed to meet the mental health needs of teens. “Before a teen is admitted, there is a fair amount of wait time anxiety,” said Melanie Lee, clinical nursing director of Pediatrics for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “The Zen Den is a safe and supportive space that came at just the right time. During this pandemic, we saw an increase in teenagers needing mental health services.” The moment you walk in the room, you are surrounded by peace and calm – the lighting is dim, the walls are painted blue, and soft music is playing in the background. Teens can relax in a beanbag chair, write their feelings on a white board, or enjoy the Vector Jr. sensory station, complete with a bubble and jellyfish tower. “You feel like you are not in the hospital,” said Meghan Siegel, a certified child-life specialist at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, “and it’s already making a difference. Patients are relieved, peaceful, and less stressed. It’s really a simple space.” The Zen Den was made possible thanks to donations from the community. When Rob Rex died in November 2020, his family asked loved ones and friends to donate money for a new playroom at the hospital. Nearly $14,000 were raised through the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, which helped create this innovative addition to the Pediatric Emergency Unit. “We are happy to be able to give back to the community that has been so incredibly supportive of us,” said Jenn Rex. “There is not much more important than the mental health of our children and we are proud to have the Zen Den named in my husband’s memory and as a lasting reminder of the impact his life had on so many. Rob was the most positive person I have ever known and we look forward to doing as many positive things as we can in his honor.”0
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a parent of four, I understand how stressful it can be to carry that title. Being a parent means carrying a world of responsibilities. We have to watch out for all sorts of external triggers – think peer pressure, social media and school shootings – to help our children navigate through this world as best as possible. And we’re also needed to help them through their various developmental stages. One of those stages is puberty and all the mood swings that come with it. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably experienced the eye-rolling, the snappy response out of nowhere, and the need to ask the same question multiple times before something gets done (asking them to look up from their phone during dinner!). Sometimes those behaviors are normal, it’s your child navigating new emotions and developmental changes. But sometimes, it’s a result of something more than just puberty or “kids being kids.” I have been working in the mental health field for the past 30 years and a lot has changed. What used to be a slight increase in mental health problems reported over the years has turned into an ever-increasing peak. But why? Think about everything that society has dumped on kids nowadays: Anxiety based on school safety, higher expectations, challenging curriculums and, of course, there’s social media. This is a lot of “weight” for a child to carry. How do you know what’s normal and what’s not? Here are a few warning signs that can help you tell if your child needs another layer of support and/or professional help: Elementary Age Change in behavior or change in play (hitting, bullying, biting). Intensity of emotions (anger or fear). Increased physical complaints. Change in sleep patterns (nightmares). Difficulty concentrating. Middle School Age Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger. Difficulty relating to peers. Thinking and/or talking about suicide. Avoidance of friends and social activities. Confused thinking or problems concentrating. High School Age Excessive worry or fear. Feeling excessively sad or low. Extreme mood changes. Abuse of substances (alcohol and drugs). Thinking and/or talking about suicide. The best thing you can do as a parent is provide a safe, nurturing home and community with realistic limits on social media and screen time. Give them a sense of stability and a true balance of exercise, activities, nutrition, family meals and something I call the “gift of time” for optimal emotional health. The gift of time is listening without interruption and giving one’s full attention if even for 15-30 minutes a day. Take the time to listen – really listen – to your child without interruption and judgement. Encourage them, foster their independence and above all, love them unconditionally! Providing stability among our world’s instability is one of the most critical components to supporting our children and teenagers. Ask questions, find resources and learn more at askAAMC.org/HealthyMinds. Author Cindy Radovic, MA, BA, BSN Board Certified, is the manager of Mental Health Services at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Emergency Department. To schedule an appointment with her, call 443-481-3519.0
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