MESOPOTAMIA, OH--(Marketwired - December 08, 2016) - Therapeutic farm communities such as Hopewell are known as healing places where individuals with serious mental illness can recover and be well again. Hopewell subscribes to a conceptual model of care that values the whole person -- mind, body and spirit -- treated in the context of a healthy, safe and natural environment that allows time for residents to experience a sustained recovery.

/EINPresswire.com/ -- The empirical data we have collected, subjective input as well as anecdotal feedback from residents' family members and mental health professionals strongly support the hypothesis that sustained recovery and positive outcomes result from residential programs such as Hopewell. As such, therapeutic farm communities are uniquely positioned to help advance the whole person philosophy and a new model of moral treatment to the behavioral healthcare community at large.

Hopewell is committed to contributing to further development of best practice standards and evidence-based practices in the treatment of mental illness and collaborating with other stakeholders in this process.

With our many outcomes studies in mind, here are five reasons to consider a therapeutic farm community to help individuals achieve ongoing success in recovering, effectively dealing with their mental illness symptoms and healing.

1. It provides a safe environment. Feeling safe and secure allows residents to work on their inner self and personal goals. They achieve levels of trust that are conducive to learning and growing. Providing a safe, peaceful and therapeutic environment creates a healing place.

2. It allows time to heal. There are few shortcuts to healing from the most serious injuries and/or illnesses. The same holds true for mental illness. Just as nature takes its logical course, this is a respected and recognized theme that applies to therapeutic communities as well. If you allow time for the healing process to work, it will. A comprehensive, holistic approach to recovery is not only advantageous, but is proving to be highly effective in achieving a more sustained recovery.

3. It provides community support. Support can be rendered in many ways, but most importantly all residents are valued, respected and encouraged to be actively engaged in the healing process. The power of community serves as an important and affirming approach to giving and receiving emotional support as well as actively including residents in setting and achieving their own treatment goals and objectives.

4. It addresses the whole person. Offering the opportunity for residents to truly heal through the integration of a whole person-mind, body and spirit-approach offered in the context of a calming, natural environment where the building of positive relationships is essential. Affording residents the time to realize more of their own potential and sense of personal fulfillment helps make therapeutic farm communities unique in facilitating the recovery process.

5. It engages and retains quality staff. Therapeutic farm communities emphasize employing and retaining highly qualified clinical and support staff. All must be comfortable working in a farm and nature-based environment. Additionally, staff members must possess expertise in the latest mental health treatment approaches and methodologies. They will be challenged to apply these effectively to address the unique needs of each resident. Retention of qualified therapeutic community staff is always a priority, as it assures service continuity and ongoing organizational growth.

Hopewell has developed the team and expertise needed to help make a positive difference in the lives of the individuals we serve and continually expand our understanding of the healing process. We seek to share with peers and colleagues our ongoing experiences in working with and understanding the dynamics of integrated and nature based approaches while serving individuals with serious mental illness. Hopewell values the support, interest and input we receive regularly from others in our profession as we carry forth our mission.

About Hopewell

Hopewell is a 300-acre residential working farm located in Mesopotamia, Ohio, where adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression learn to manage their mental illness and return to independent life. Hopewell is the only therapeutic farm community in Ohio. It is ODMHAS-licensed and CARF-accredited. Hopewell is a member of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and American Residential Treatment Association. Information and assessments are available by contacting Laura Scarnecchia, clinician/admissions coordinator at 440.426.2009. Visit www.hopewellcommunity.org