Over the past few decades in the United States, the public mental health system has shifted from a reliance on large institutions to smaller, community-based settings where services can be better provided to help people in need live meaningful lives. Society's growing understanding of mental illness has stimulated interest in a public health approach to mental health, although that does not necessarily mean that public health agencies must lead these efforts. Community-based agencies, like Baltimore-based ABA Health Services, play an essential role. At ABA Health Services, care is based on the belief that, by providing certain public health support to consumers in their communities, they can live, and thrive, as effective and contributing members of the community. Towards the management of their health, ABA also believes people have the right and duty to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their own health care.
ABA provides diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and support to children, adolescents and adults, to develop and enhance community and independent living skills. Outpatient mental health services at ABA include therapeutic behavioral services (TBS), psychological testing, a psychiatric rehabilitation program, therapy, and psychiatric services. Services are provided by a doctor of public health, psychiatrists and other physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, social workers and counselors. MEETING AN ACUTE NEED Albert Njoku, who founded ABA in 2002, rst became aware of an acute need for more mental health services when he was doing public health
”MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS ACCESSING THE PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, AND THERE
WAS A LACK OF TRUST.” – Albert Njoku, founder, ABA Health Services
BRINGING MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO THE PEOPLE 8
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker