Spend a few minutes with Jim Harris, CEO of North Tampa Behavioral Health in Wesley Chapel (NTBH), and you’ll catch his enthusiasm. He and his staff are committed to providing the very best care and support for people experiencing mental health issues.
“Sometimes the challenges of life can overwhelm us,” says Jim. “Many of us will experience a mental health issue at some point in our life – grief, loss, loneliness, depression, addiction. We’re here to help people work through their mental health concerns.”
North Tampa Behavioral Health provides a non-institutional environment on 16 acres of wetlands and forest off of State Road 56, east of The Shops at Wiregrass. The campus offers peace and quiet without urban distractions.
“We want to set the standard for the treatment of behavioral health and addiction disorders,” says Jim. “We have a unique half-day, partial hospitalization program and an intensive outpatient program for the treatment of adults and seniors with mental health and substance abuse conditions.”
NTBH is more than just a productive member of the community. They are making their facilities available for various support group meetings. The National Alliance on Mental Illness currently provides free support group meetings on the first and third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., for families experiencing mental health issues or who have friends receiving mental health care.
“We currently have 143 employees contributing to the economic health of the region,” says Jim. “The resources we use come from the local community as much as possible. We are also a provider working to enhance mental health awareness and wellness of the citizens of Pasco County.”
“Our treatment focuses on the whole person,” says Jim. “We believe that physical health and nutritional health play a role in mental health, and we address that daily here.”
They have an indoor gym with stationary bicycles, workout bags and a basketball court. They also host yoga classes in the gym. Outdoors they have a basketball court, a walking path and spaces to relax, read and converse. There are also a number of spacious community rooms and a cafe with a selection of nutritious foods available during all meals.
“Our goal is to bring together mental and physical health approaches to psychiatric therapies founded on the most current principles of patient safety,” says Jim. “We are a progressive facility. For example, there are no mechanical restraints for patients, which is rare for a psychiatric hospital. Suggestions from our patients are continually improving our facility.”
All programs are group-oriented and developmentally appropriate to the client. Inpatient care is short-term. Outpatient care may go on longer depending on the client’s needs. The partial hospital program is 5 days per week for 5 hours per day. The intensive outpatient program is 3 days per week for 3 hours per day.
They became a Baker Act facility in February 2014 and have since been working closely with law enforcement and local hospitals to treat involuntary patients who are deemed a threat to themselves or others due to mental health or substance abuse issues.
North Tampa Behavioral Health has been very successful to date. They are continuing to develop relationships with local hospitals, independent practitioners, clinics, colleges and chambers of commerce. They are in the process of starting an alumni group for people who have been treated at the facility as another way to further support the community. Call them for an assessment or referral.
They are located at 29910 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, and can be reached at (813) 922-3300. Their website is NorthTampaBehavioralHealth.com.
– Mike Matthew
This story is a feature of the advertising department.
