MINDSc h a n g i n g

The Campaign for Skyland Trail

Having a menTal illneSS CHanged my life.

MINDSc h a n g i n g

The Campaign for Skyland Trail

At Skyland Trail, we’re in the business of changing minds. For 25 years, we have combined the best science with compassionate professionals and therapeutic environments to help change the way the world looks at mental illness.

Our clients may begin treatment doubting that recovery is possible, but learn that life can be healthy, rewarding and productive. Families see their loved ones become stable and strong, and learn how to participate in the transformation. And beyond our campus, we stand as a national model for what works in helping adults achieve long-term recovery.

The Changing Minds campaign will help us grow and innovate to meet the needs of adults and families reaching for recovery. We invite you to be a part of this important effort.

Having a menTal illneSS CHanged my life. Coming To Skyland Trail CHanged my fuTure.

our recovery-focused treatment model is influencing a national shift in how the medical community views and treats individuals with mental illness. our comprehensive treatment program embraces mind, body and spirit by integrating: • psychotherapy• medication management• primary medical care and wellness• hands-on expressive therapies• social skills coaching and practice• support to return to work or school

This whole person approach, along with excellent management and customer service, has been applauded by the american Psychiatric association, The Joint Commission, The Carter Center and the Community foundation for greater atlanta.

Guided by ScienceScience is the cornerstone of our programming. as the field of mental health advances, we evaluate new treatments and approaches, adopting those that research indicates hold the most promise. Collaborations with universities and research institutions offer unique opportunities for innovation. our robust outcomes research program provides data on how clients respond to treatment and how their quality of life improves after leaving the program. results guide future program enhancements.

2012 Outcome Highlights• 92% improvement in client attitudes

toward medication adherence• 61% improvement in feelings of

hopelessness• 70% improvement in symptoms

of psychosis• 54% improvement in feelings of

depression and/or anxiety• 53% improvement in relationship

with self and others• 64% improvement in impulsive

and addictive behaviors

Ahead of the CurveSkyland Trail was one of the first residential programs to open an onsite primary care clinic; to encourage engagement through art, music and horticultural therapies; to offer evidence-based approaches like dialectical behavior therapy and dual diagnosis; and to measure our results.

Over the next 25 years, what is already core programming at Skyland Trail will become the universal standard of care. Today, Skyland Trail undertakes an ambitious effort to meet the promise and demands of the future.

received Joint Commission accreditation. Skyland Trail recently received its seventh consecutive gold seal of approval.Skyland Trail opens with four clients.’89 ’95

A Time[line] for Change

“When i first entered Skyland Trail, i’d already been through three separate inpatient hospitalizations, and i was running dangerously low on hope. By treating me as an equal and encouraging me to believe in myself and my abilities, the incredible staff helped restore my sense of hope for the future. after graduating, i felt capable and ready to not only manage, but to thrive.”

[Changing] Melody’s expectations for what she could accomplish and what her future could hold.

[CHanging] HoW We TreaT PeoPle WiTH menTal illneSS

groundbreaking for the Health and education Center, our main campus including clinical, adjunctive and primary care services.received Joint Commission accreditation. Skyland Trail recently received its seventh consecutive gold seal of approval. ’98

WHaT iS THe Changing Minds CamPaign?

MINDSc h a n g i n g

The Campaign for Skyland Trail

The $18 million capital campaign will support the development of: • a specialized campus and

programming for young adults ages 18 to 26

• an expanded primary care clinic to serve the larger community

• renovations to existing facilities for increased efficiencies

A critical expansion of facilities and programs to meet the needs of individuals and families living with mental illness.

Awarded the American Psychiatric Association Gold Achievement Award for excellence and innovation in service delivery.Received the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Managing for Excellence Award’02 ’04

young adults interact with the world through technology. a specialized young adult facility that integrates technology into treatment will encourage young adults to actively participate and communicate with family and therapists. young adult clients also benefit from cutting-edge computer-based therapies like Cognitive remediation Therapy.

our young adult treatment team has specialized expertise to help adults in their late teens and early 20s understand and manage their illness. much like going to college, young adults learn and practice the skills they need to successfully pursue their goals for a fulfilling future.

[CHanging] fuTureS for young adulTS

onsite primary care clinic opens, one of the first for residential treatment programs.Awarded the American Psychiatric Association Gold Achievement Award for excellence and innovation in service delivery. ’08

A Time[line] for Change

Young adults ages 18 to 26 represent 50 percent of Skyland Trail clients. Symptoms of bipolar illness, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia often appear during this developmental period, and can be intensified by major life changes like going to college, or experimenting with drugs or alcohol. early intervention can prevent years of suffering … changing futures and saving lives.

young adults face a gap in the system. While too old for child and adolescent programs, they may struggle with adolescent thought and behavior patterns and need specialized support to transition to adulthood. The Skyland Trail young adult Program fills this gap, helping adults in their late teens and early 20s learn to manage their illnesses, identify their strengths and work toward positive, productive futures.

We plan to build on that success.

A specialized campusA 3.5 acre property adjacent to the existing main campus will become home to a new Young Adult Campus. A 24,000 square foot facility will include a 32-bed residential wing; community, recreation and dining areas; gardens; and treatment spaces.

The campus is designed to leverage young adult interests and learning styles – facilitating the use of technology in treatment, fostering healthy social interactions, inviting family involvement, and promoting wellness through sports and recreation.

The campus will increase our young adult capacity by 230 clients annually, representing more than 18,000 care-days. Within two years, projections indicate the expanded young adult program will be self-sustaining.

“i have seen dramatic changes in my mood and my outlook on life and the future. my attitude is much more positive and i’m a lot less irritable. at first i didn’t think it would work, but attending Skyland Trail really saved me.”

[Changing] the way Brandon sees his diagnosis and his future.

50%50 percent of our clients are young adults ages 18 to 26.

adults with serious mental illness have a life expectancy 25 years shorter than their peers, largely due to treatable medical conditions. While ongoing research explores the brain-body connection and the causes of this increased risk, current evidence points to a possible solution: integrated medical and mental healthcare treatment.

The Skyland Trail onsite primary care clinic, a groundbreaking innovation, opened in 2008. Clients receive an initial physical exam and continue to receive primary and preventive care services throughout their treatment. medical professionals with expertise in the fusion of physical and mental health help clients adopt healthy lifestyles, complete and interpret lab tests, manage chronic diseases and seek specialized care if needed.

Expanding Access to Innovative CareExpanding access to this unique integrated healthcare model beyond our client base would fill a critical need. We intend to transform existing space into an

outpatient services facility, expanding our primary care clinic and opening our doors to adults with a diagnosed mental illness in the community.

We also will relocate our comprehensive psychiatric assessment services, admissions, and psychiatric services teams to create a one-stop-shop for outpatient services and new admissions.

Increasing Our Capacityas Skyland Trail relocates our young adult Program, primary care clinic and admissions and psychiatric services teams, we will repurpose vacated spaces to meet other important needs.

The Skyland Trail north residential campus will be transformed into 12 private apartments for transitional independent living, and space in the Health and education Center will be retooled into classrooms, therapy spaces and resource centers to increase our capacity to serve more clients and offer additional specialized groups and services.

Skyland Trail implemented a new outcomes assessment program.groundbreaking for the dorothy C. fuqua Center, home to the vocational services program.’10 ’11

A Time[line] for Change

[CHanging] exPeCTaTionS for a HealTHy life

25 yrs.Adults with serious mental illness are at risk of dying 25 years earlier than peers, largely due to treatment medical conditions.

many medications that reduce psychosis and improve mood can lead to the development of cardiometabolic syndrome, a constellation of symptoms including high body mass index and elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and glucose levels.

After growing steadily for several years, the proportion of young adult clients reached 50 percent of admissions.Skyland Trail implemented a new outcomes assessment program. ’12

“The evidence is becoming clear that mental illnesses and physical illnesses are inextricably linked. We know that people with mental illnesses have twice the rates of heart disease and diabetes and maybe even higher rates of pulmonary disease. if we don’t provide effective care to prevent those medical problems, we are not really doing all we can to help our clients live quality lives.”

—ray kotwicki, md, mPH, Chief medical officer

Changing a mind can save a life. It can reunite families and open a world of possibilities for a life worth living. Changing a mind can make communities safer and healthier for everyone.

Through the Changing Minds campaign, you can be a part of this important work. You can help us redefine what it means to live with a mental illness… redefine what it means to recover.

Our goal through this campaign is to meet the promise and demands of the future by offering therapeutic, state-of-the-art facilities and compassionate, effective treatment for adults reaching for recovery.

A unique young adult campus will help 18- to 26-year-olds regain stability, confidence and joy in life. People with mental illness who need primary care will find an open door. World-class clinical programs will have room to grow. And graduates returning to the community will have affordable transitional living space.

As the national healthcare landscape shifts, and science illuminates the brain in ways never before imagined, Skyland Trail continues to strengthen its position as a proven leader in the field and a stronghold of hope.

Please join us to help make it happen. What will you do to change minds?

THink WHaT iT meanS To CHange a mind

Young Adult Targeted Program & Campus ........ $15,988,000land & Site development ......................................... $5,211,000Construction* ........................................................... $9,010,000endowment** ........................................................ $1,5000,000Program Start-up ........................................................ $267,000Thrive Wellness Clinic .......................................... $1,562,000Construction* ........................................................... $1,037,000endowment** ............................................................. $200,000Program Start-up ........................................................ $325,000Existing Facility Renovation .................................... $450,000

Total*** ................................................................ $18,000,000*includes a&e, ffe, and Contingency**20% of Construction, FFE and Landscape***Includes Campaign Expenses

CamPaignSummary

Brooke Weinmann and Richard Parker with Beth Finnerty, President and CEO of Skyland Trail

Richard Parker, Campaign Co-Chair

Brooke Weinmann, Campaign Co-Chair

mind maTTerS

1 4in1 in 4 Americans has a mental illness. 1 in 17 Americans has a serious mental illness.

More than 15 million Americans experience depression each year. Only one-third receive the help they need.

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30,000 Americans die from suicide each year.

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30 to 50 percent of patients who suffer clinical depression are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 30-50

1961 North Druid Hills RD NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30329 | Phone: 404-315-8333 | www.skylandtrail.org

Campaign Co-Chairsrichard C. ParkerBrooke T. Weinmann Campaign Committee Membersvivian n. duBoseJ. Rex FuquaCarol g. gellerstedtJohn C. gordondanica l. griffithdana HalbergThomas d. HillsWilliam e. Huger iiiHugh m. “don” inman, Jr.Clay Jacksonmelissa loweJay mitchellJackie montagmichelle Sullivanmark Tiptonmichael Tompkins