Did you know?

of mental illness presents by age 14 and

of mental illness presents by age 24

But early care makes a difference!

If you suspect you or your child have a mental health issue, don’t delay in seeking treatment.

Mental health challenges can look like:

irritability
feeling anxious
mood changes
feeling sad or depressed
being overwhelmed
withdrawing socially from friends and family
difficulty concentrating
lacking motivation
disorganization in memory, thoughts or behavior
misusing alcohol/drugs
sleep difficulties
declining hygiene
changes in eating habits
uneasiness around others
lack of self-worth
self-harm
changes in thinking or perceptions

Certain experiences such as hearing or seeing things that are not there, holding persistent unusual beliefs or having excessive suspiciousness or paranoia may be signs of a more serious mental health condition called psychosis. While this experience can be scary, psychosis is treatable, and early treatment supports the best possible recovery. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, it’s important to seek treatment right away.

How to start treatment at Oaklawn:

To begin treatment at Oaklawn, come to an Open Access clinic during one of the days and times listed below. You do not need an appointment or to call ahead for these walk-in clinics. This initial visit will focus on new client paperwork, completing a clinical assessment with one of our therapists and creating a plan for future treatment. The process takes about two hours.

Note that while each treatment plan is customized to your unique needs, Oaklawn operates on a Group First model of treatment. This means most clients will begin services in group therapy. Groups use the same evidence-based practices as individual therapy, with the added benefit of peer support. Some clients may attend group for only a few sessions as they prepare for deeper work in individual therapy, and some clients may continue in group therapy as their primary mode of treatment.

Open Access clinics are held:

South Bend – 415 E. Madison St. & Elkhart – 2600 Oakland Ave.