Friends Hospital
Encyclopedia
Friends Hospital, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, is recognized as one of the premier mental
hospitals in the United States
.
Founded by Quakers in 1813 as "The Asylum for Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason," and later known as the "Frankford Asylum for the Insane," it was the first private psychiatric hospital in the U.S.
Friends Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
, and the maintenance of an asylum
for their reception, which is intended to furnish, besides requisite medical aid, such tender, sympathetic attention as may soothe their agitated minds, and under the Divine Blessing, facilitate their recovery."
Associated Programs: Friends Professional Associates, Inc., a wholly owned, not-for-profit subsidiary of Friends Hospital, enables a full range of mental health services to be provided to residents throughout the Delaware Valley.
The confidential services offered by the AEC include:
Pennsylvania was previously the Northeast state with the strongest programs for eating disorders. Belmont Behavioral Health in Philadelphia continues to offer inpatient, partial and intensive outpatient treatment under the directorship of Dr. Susan Gordon. The Renfrew Center, with locations throughout the Philadelphia area, offers residential and step-down services, including day treatment and intensive outpatient services. Friends Hospital was the only program in the area to admit patients through their psychiatric emergency service, which resulted in immediate admission and is often important for a disorder like anorexia or bulimia where rapid stabilization of psychiatric symptoms can be a lifesaver.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, is recognized as one of the premier mental
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
hospitals in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Founded by Quakers in 1813 as "The Asylum for Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason," and later known as the "Frankford Asylum for the Insane," it was the first private psychiatric hospital in the U.S.
Friends Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Mission Statement of 1813
"To provide for the suitable accommodation of persons who are or may be deprived of the use of their reasonReason
Reason is a term that refers to the capacity human beings have to make sense of things, to establish and verify facts, and to change or justify practices, institutions, and beliefs. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, language, ...
, and the maintenance of an asylum
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
for their reception, which is intended to furnish, besides requisite medical aid, such tender, sympathetic attention as may soothe their agitated minds, and under the Divine Blessing, facilitate their recovery."
History
Friends Professional Associates was launched in 1996, providing behavioral health services in eight outpatient offices in suburban Philadelphia. In 1998, Larkspur Health Network, Inc. is formed which allows Friends to provide emergency behavioral health services through the Crisis Response Center.Services
Patient Services:- Adolescent Services, a range of inpatient hospital services for adolescents suffering from emotional problems, with or without substance abuseSubstance abuseA substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
.- Adult Services, an inpatient program for adults ages 18 to 60.
- Older Adult Services, the first program in the Delaware ValleyDelaware ValleyThe Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
specifically designed for elderly with a mental illness. - The Greystone Program, a long-term residential facility on the main campus in Northeast Philadelphia.
- The Eating Disorders Program for adults and adolescents, both male and female.
- 24-hour nursing care in all units.
- Arrangement with nearby facilities for specialized laboratory tests and x-rays.
- Psychological testingPsychological testingPsychological testing is a field characterized by the use of samples of behavior in order to assess psychological construct, such as cognitive and emotional functioning, about a given individual. The technical term for the science behind psychological testing is psychometrics...
for diagnostic assessment and assistance in treatment. - Individual and group therapy.
- Expressive therapiesExpressive therapyExpressive therapy, also known as expressive arts therapy or creative arts therapy, is the use of the creative arts as a form of therapy. Unlike traditional art expression, the process of creation is emphasized rather than the final product...
including art, movement, music and video therapy. - A nationally recognized horticultural therapy program.
- Assistance to help patients and their families with after-care arrangements.
Associated Programs: Friends Professional Associates, Inc., a wholly owned, not-for-profit subsidiary of Friends Hospital, enables a full range of mental health services to be provided to residents throughout the Delaware Valley.
Admissions & Evaluation Center(AEC)
The Admissions & Evaluation Center at Friends Hospital, is a behavioral health service providing assessment, evaluation and treatment for those in crisis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is staffed by psychiatrists, registered nurses, case managers, and consumer/family advocates, ensuring that clinical needs and basic social services are met.The confidential services offered by the AEC include:
- Psychiatric evaluation and treatment;
- Drug and alcohol evaluation and intervention;
- Identification of treatment alternatives;
- Referral services to ensure access to needed services;
- Confidential crisis counseling and support;
- A free 24-hour crisis hotline.
Pennsylvania was previously the Northeast state with the strongest programs for eating disorders. Belmont Behavioral Health in Philadelphia continues to offer inpatient, partial and intensive outpatient treatment under the directorship of Dr. Susan Gordon. The Renfrew Center, with locations throughout the Philadelphia area, offers residential and step-down services, including day treatment and intensive outpatient services. Friends Hospital was the only program in the area to admit patients through their psychiatric emergency service, which resulted in immediate admission and is often important for a disorder like anorexia or bulimia where rapid stabilization of psychiatric symptoms can be a lifesaver.
External links
- Friends Hospital official site
- Isaac Bonsall & the Early Years of Friends Asylum
- Nomination document for National Historic LandmarkNational Historic LandmarkA National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
status